Comments on: Don’t Bother Changing Your Own Oil

By: joseperez

joseperez — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:47:24 +0000

I would have to agree with jon, as a ASE certified small engine mechanic and a manager for a auto parts store not naming which but lets just say that auto shops obtain filters and oil and a dramatically reduced price and then turn around and sell for retail which is usually more than what you can purchase going in the store and purchasing off of the shelf. Auto parts stores always have specials where you can obtain a complete oil change for 14 – 24 depending on the type of brand you perfer. I have never other than at the shop that I worked at needed car ramps or a lift. As far as stripping the oil pan bolt which seldom happens it is much less expensive than being almost bullied into purchasing other items at automotive shops. I would almost say that the initial investment for the one time cost of obtaining the socket and oil wrench and oil retaining device would be saved after two oil changes. ( including haggle free changing) The recycling of oil is just as easy since auto part stores are in every corner of whom offer free recycling and of which they receive a few cents for the oil that is then recycled.

By: jon

jon — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:59:23 +0000

Sorry bud but I have to disagree with you. I myself have been working at an auto repair shop as a mechanic and have done oil changes for myself and friends before without lifts. First off if your dont mind laying on your back you can do an oil chnge on your car no ramps needed ( I have a ford taurus) and those 18.99 oil changes use the worst oil possible , usually a brand called kendall which is cleaned up old oil so recycled oil basically. It saves money and is better for your car. The small investment in tool (maybe 40 max for the socket wrench and oil filter grip) that you pay one time is well worth it.

By: 2005TXRS

2005TXRS — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:16:32 +0000

Absolutely agree w/ Ray on this. If you are putting dinosaur oil in the vehicle, a quick change shop is fine. Enthusiasts run full synthetic though, which as Ray said $70 is the absolute LOW end of the scale for a shop done synthetic change. Just changed my syn. oil + filter + spark plugs (all name brand stuff) for $85, took 35 minutes. A shop quoted me $235 for parts + labor, and 1.5 hour wait, for the same job. Saved $150 and precious time. Good article, but doesn't apply to all people and all vehicles.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:01:53 +0000

I have to say, first of all, that I'm not a mechanic and have never worked in a shop before, but I think it is a bit of a stretch to say it's not worth it to change your own oil. All you really need can be purchased for about $70-80 the first time, and then just the oil, filter (varying in price, but usually cheaper than the shop anyway) and a maybe a new plug sealing washer ($.25) each time afterward. With 4 oil changes a year, those are savings that add up quickly!

One thing that is often misunderstood about oil changes, is that fast isn't necessarily a good thing. If you can let your oil drip for about 30 minutes, a fair bit of dirty oil will drain from the engine in that time, helping keep your engine much cleaner! It typically takes me about 10 minutes to jack the car onto my jack stands, lay out some newspaper and take out the oil drain plug over the oil pan. I come back in about 30 minutes usually and spend 10 minutes putting in the new oil filter, putting the plug back with a new sealing washer, refilling the engine with the new oil, emptying the old oil into milk jugs, and I'm done. Once you do it the first time, every time after is very quick and easy.

The basics that you'd need for the first time include a pair of simple jackstands ($25), an oil drip pan ($5), newspapers to cover the ground (free), a pair of disposable gloves ($2 for box), a milk jug or two for the oil afterward (free), a funnel ($1), a wrench and sockets for the drain plug and oil filter ($10-15, and i suggest getting the oil filter socket for your specific oil filter to make it easier) and a jack if your car doesn't already have one tucked away somewhere ($25).

After spending 2 minutes looking for a good how-to, I found this one that seems to cover just about everything one would need with some great tips: http://tinyurl.com/oilchanging

Changing your own oil isn't quite as easy or convenient as stopping by a shop, but it will save you a good deal of money, and you would be surprised by how easy it is to do–the only things on your car that you mess with are the one single bolt, the twist off/on oil filter, and the oil cap under the hood. I mean, if a guy that paints murals for a living can do it, who can't?

By: Saturn Wheels

Saturn Wheels — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:39:33 +0000

I really don’t do the oil change myself. I always bring my car in the car mechanic. let them do the job. lol

By: Ray

Ray — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:23:46 +0000

No, it is cheaper for me to change my own oil and i can use superior products. Oil change shops around me charge $70 for the Mobil 1 oil and M1 filter. I can do it for $30-$32. Last oil change I used Royal Purple 5w-30 + M1 filter for $45. I also get the security of knowing the oil change was done right. Some oil change shops say they are putting in M1, but they use conventional and they just wipe your filter with a rag and call it new.

By: Reef tank addict

Reef tank addict — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:53:27 +0000

I just had mine done yesterday. I now go to those car wash places that charge $28.50 but include a pretty good car wash.

Since I was going to pay $12 for a car wash anyway, I figure I’m paying $16 for the oil change.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:16:39 +0000

What a useful post!! Thanks, Ivy!
We just last week realized we need to get our oil changed and are mourning the loss of our long-time honest mechanic (he moved). So we’re out on the free market looking around for deals. I’m going to keep all this advice in mind.
And please do a tutorial on air filters. I LOVE learning about simple things that I can do cheaply.
By the way, one of the main things I look for in a mechanic/car service shop is respect “even though” I’m a woman. The ones that automatically call my husband to discuss repairs are ones that we unanimously agree not to go back to. Am I the only one that runs into this? Maybe it’s the traditionalist area I live in. . .

By: Mom of 4

Mom of 4 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:10:49 +0000

You’ve eased my conscience over not wanting to do this job myself or nag my husband about it. Don’t write off the dealers until you’ve checked their prices, though. Our closest dealer’s quick-change bay is competitive with other places. They have to be, because it’s so easy to shop around. Plus, they throw in a car wash with the service, and will often do little stuff (like my burned-out brake light) gratis. So shop and compare!

By: Jasi

Jasi — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:00:32 +0000

Sometimes the dealerships you buy from have deals if you go to them for service. My guys will change oil for free, their only charge is the filter. So what’s that? $5 bucks for the pros who deal specifically with my make/model changing the oil and checking the car. Good deal. And good post!