Oil change cheaper at quick lube place than DIY?

[JEDI]

2005 mazda3i

Saw Rhino ramps for $30 so I thought of doing my own fluid changes (oil/coolant/transmission).

walmart brand 5w20 oil 5quart $13 😱
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-SuperTech-5W20-Motor-Oil-5-Quart/16565451

no idea how much an oil filter costs.

but a Valvoline quick lube place near my house is $17 (Groupon) for an oil change w/filter.

I guess these quick lube places dont make much $ off oil changes. they upsell for profit?

btw- walmart brand 5w20 synthetic is $17.50 for 5quart?!
these quick lube places charge an arm and a leg for synthetic

 

[Vdubchaos]

Quick lube places are the worst possible place you can bring your car to.

Don't EVER do it.

IMO, paying MORE and doing it yourself is better. I will tell you why.

Unless you do shit yourself, it won't get done right.

Nobody cares about your items/cars as much as you do.

I learned this pretty early on when I first started working on cars on my own. I bought a lates 90s VW that had free maintenance. Even the "expert" dealer managed to over tighten the plug, leave the oil cap off and even not bothered to change the filter.

After numerous horrible experiences, I just started doing it myself.

I've been doing oil changes on ALL of my cars and families for past 15 + years.

Did it save me money? I don't know, probably broke even. But even if I paid more, I would not do it any other way.

What's in bold goes for just about ANYTHING in life (from what I've found over the years).

 

[jlee]

2005 mazda3i

Saw Rhino ramps for $30 so I thought of doing my own fluid changes (oil/coolant/transmission).

walmart brand 5w20 oil 5quart $13 😱
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-SuperTech-5W20-Motor-Oil-5-Quart/16565451

no idea how much an oil filter costs.

but a Valvoline quick lube place near my house is $17 (Groupon) for an oil change w/filter.

I guess these quick lube places dont make much $ off oil changes. they upsell for profit?

btw- walmart brand 5w20 synthetic is $17.50 for 5quart?!
these quick lube places charge an arm and a leg for synthetic

If you don't care about the oil that goes in, then you can save a few bucks..I spend more and DIY but I know I have good oil and a good filter, and my drain plug and filter won't be overtorqued by 3x. 🙂

 

[ControlD]

Quick lube places are the worst possible place you can bring your car to.

Don't EVER do it.

IMO, paying MORE and doing it yourself is better. I will tell you why.

Unless you do shit yourself, it won't get done right.

I don't know. I've been getting my oil changed at the local Jiffy Lube for the past 12 years or so and they seem to get it done right every time. I don't see any reason to stop using the quick lube places. I'm sure I could save money doing it myself (I always get synthetic so it costs a decent amount) but I'd rather not.

 

[pauldun170]

2005 mazda3i

Saw Rhino ramps for $30 so I thought of doing my own fluid changes (oil/coolant/transmission).

walmart brand 5w20 oil 5quart $13 😱
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-SuperTech-5W20-Motor-Oil-5-Quart/16565451

no idea how much an oil filter costs.

but a Valvoline quick lube place near my house is $17 (Groupon) for an oil change w/filter.

I guess these quick lube places dont make much $ off oil changes. they upsell for profit?

btw- walmart brand 5w20 synthetic is $17.50 for 5quart?!
these quick lube places charge an arm and a leg for synthetic

Your first mistake is including Upfront costs (tools, oil pan, ramp etc).
Your second mistake seems to be comparing 5 qt of synthetic with an ad from quick lube place, which is probably just basic cheapo dino oil.

Upfront costs+buying in bulk is significantly lower than taking it to a "quick lube place" over the span of car ownership.

In addition, my time is money and very valuable to me. Changing my oil takes less time (for me personally) than taking it to a quick lube place. Doing it in my driveway whenever I want vs driving somewhere, waiting and driving back.

 

[JEDI]

I don't know. I've been getting my oil changed at the local Jiffy Lube for the past 12 years or so and they seem to get it done right every time. I don't see any reason to stop using the quick lube places. I'm sure I could save money doing it myself (I always get synthetic so it costs a decent amount) but I'd rather not.

walmart brand is $5 more for synthetic over their regular 5w20. 😱

quick lube places charge $20+ more for synthetic

 

[Vdubchaos]

I don't know. I've been getting my oil changed at the local Jiffy Lube for the past 12 years or so and they seem to get it done right every time. I don't see any reason to stop using the quick lube places. I'm sure I could save money doing it myself (I always get synthetic so it costs a decent amount) but I'd rather not.

You just lost all respect on this forum.

:biggrin:

 

[JEDI]

Your first mistake is including Upfront costs (tools, oil pan, ramp etc).
Your second mistake seems to be comparing 5 qt of synthetic with an ad from quick lube place, which is probably just basic cheapo dino oil.

reading fail?

5quart walmart brand 5w20 = $13
oil filter = ?

but the quick lube place is $17.
do the math.

and I pass my quick lube place daily. I always go (with coupon) when I see an empty stall. in and out in 5 min.


i was saying 5quart walmart brand 5w20 synthetic is $17.50, $5 more than regular.

 

[Denly]

You don't need a Rhino ramps for oil/tranny oil, just get yourself a couple 2ft long 2x4, one for each wheel. I no long use ramps because it scare the sh t out of me everytime, I rather jack it up.

I can usually finish my oil change within 30min and I know exactly what I am putting in the engine. I usually stay with big name on oil, Castrol, M1, Mutol, Molly..etc

Oil $25, filter $5

 

[jlee]

You don't need a Rhino ramps for oil/tranny oil, just get yourself a couple 2ft long 2x4, one for each wheel. I no long use ramps because it scare the sh t out of me everytime, I rather jack it up.

I can usually finish my oil change within 30min and I know exactly what I am putting in the engine. I usually stay with big name on oil, Castrol, M1, Mutol, Molly..etc

Oil $25, filter $5

What's scary about ramps? I parked a 6000lb truck on Rhino ramps without any worries.

 

[desy]

Changing your own oil is a pain however Cause I do synth and two vehicles and have for decades its worth it to me, also a good time to go over all the other crap like filters n such

 

[JEDI]

You don't need a Rhino ramps for oil/tranny oil, just get yourself a couple 2ft long 2x4, one for each wheel. I no long use ramps because it scare the sh t out of me everytime, I rather jack it up.

I can usually finish my oil change within 30min and I know exactly what I am putting in the engine. I usually stay with big name on oil, Castrol, M1, Mutol, Molly..etc

Oil $25, filter $5

2x4 boards?
just lift the car 1.5" off the ground?

(rhino's are 8" high)

 

[Vdubchaos]

What's scary about ramps? I parked a 6000lb truck on Rhino ramps without any worries.

When I work on cars, I always have 2 fail safes.

If I have the car on ramps, I still put the jack stands on the sides.....and have the jack on the side.....and my son watching in case.

Call me paranoid. But I would not put any part of my body under a car while on ramps ONLY.

I always use jackstand/jack. Even if it takes me 5-10 extra min (no big deal)

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I guess these quick lube places dont make much $ off oil changes. they upsell for profit?

This. Don't get suckered into cabin filters, bulbs, or any other service you don't need.

I used to do all my own oil changes. Now the costs are so low it's just easier and quicker to let jiffy lube do it for me.

 

[jlee]

When I work on cars, I always have 2 fail safes.

If I have the car on ramps, I still put the jack stands on the sides.....and have the jack on the side.....and my son watching in case.

Call me paranoid. But I would not put any part of my body under a car while on ramps ONLY.

I always use jackstand/jack. Even if it takes me 5-10 extra min (no big deal)

I'm about as worried about my ramps failing as I am about my concrete failing, but more safety never hurts. 🙂

 

[NutBucket]

I dislike Rhino ramps because they always seem to want to slide and the way they deform a bit under weight is a disconcerting. I bought Race Ramps because racecar...duh😛

 

[Denly]

What's scary about ramps? I parked a 6000lb truck on Rhino ramps without any worries.

I always worry I may run over the ramps.

 

[ControlD]

You just lost all respect on this forum.

:biggrin:

lol.

Actually now that my local Jiffy Lube has been replaced with a Chipotle it would probably be a good time to start changing my own oil again. I keep saying I need to invest in a decent floor jack and some jack stands.

 

[Denly]

2x4 boards?
just lift the car 1.5" off the ground?

(rhino's are 8" high)

yep, that should be more than enough for you to slide the pan in and get to the filter(either from under or from top).

Unless you have one of those engine with filter at the back like my old focus.

If you really need to add a 1ft on top of the 2ft 2 x 4 on one of both side.

 

[ControlD]

walmart brand is $5 more for synthetic over their regular 5w20. 😱

quick lube places charge $20+ more for synthetic

Actually, I think Jiffy Lube charges something like $69 (maybe more) to do synthetic oil in my car. I know it is rare to get out of there paying much under $100. Man, I'm a sucker.

 

[NutBucket]

My dad built his own ramps 20 years ago out of stacked 2x10s. I don't think those are ever going to fail.

 

[Raizinman]

There are many problems with the quick change oil shops including many independent auto repair shops.

1) Many shops will charge a disposal fee for your old oil which can be as much as $1 a quart. It’s not really right because most of these shops use a waste oil heater and heat their shop with your used oil. Always read the fine print of the coupon.
2) Many shops will just wipe off your old oil filter and claim they put on a new one. To avoid this problem, always take a Sharpie and initial your old filter while it is on the car.
3) Many shops in a means to try and upsell you, will start removing parts off our car like your air filter or interior air filter and will bring these parts into the waiting room to show you how dirty they are. If you refuse, they just quickly slap the part back in, not securing it correctly.
4) Many shops will claim to put some specific (weight or brand) oil into your vehicle when in fact many will use a straight 20w (cheaper oil); not what your car requires.
5) There is a high rate of problems at quick oil change shops for example:
a. Not tightening the drain plug
b. Not tightening the oil filter
c. Not filling fully or over filling the crankcase
d. Causing a multitude of other problems
e. Using the wrong oil or adding other fluids in the wrong place
6) The employee turnover rate at these shops is very high and training is very low.

I always recommend people to take their vehicle back to their OEM dealer for oil changes. The reason why is:

A) The oil change tech is better trained
B) They will only use factory OEM parts
C) Dealers must check and perform recalls on every car that comes into their dealership of their make.
D) Dealers offer coupons both in the mail and on the Internet for discounted oil changes.

 

[JEDI]

yep, that should be more than enough for you to slide the pan in and get to the filter(either from under or from top).

Unless you have one of those engine with filter at the back like my old focus.

If you really need to add a 1ft on top of the 2ft 2 x 4 on one of both side.

hm.. I looked in my shed.
I have a whole bunch of 1 x 6. they're warped tho.

two 2' of 1x6
two 1' of 1x6
plus a double stacked 2" strip to act as a stopper on top

multiple by 2 to get both sides

 

[JEDI]

I always recommend people to take their vehicle back to their OEM dealer for oil changes. The reason why is:

A) The oil change tech is better trained
B) They will only use factory OEM parts
C) Dealers must check and perform recalls on every car that comes into their dealership of their make.
D) Dealers offer coupons both in the mail and on the Internet for discounted oil changes.

The stealership?! are u freaking nuts?
they're the worst at upsell!

plus it takes hours to get an oil change.
as I said above, my quick lube place takes 5min from enter to exit

 

[Denly]

hm.. I looked in my shed.
I have a whole bunch of 1 x 6. they're warped tho.

two 2' of 1x6
two 1' of 1x6
plus a double stacked 2" strip to act as a stopper on top

multiple by 2 to get both sides

That will do. I felt this is the safest way to get your car up for oil change.