Oil Changing

[MapleLeafMerc]

I'd like to know who changes their own oil MOST of the time, vs those who have someone else do it MOST of the time.

It won't be conclusive, because in a yes/no question like this you can't control for the possibility that people who change their own oil are more likely to respond, or vice versa. Still, I wonder!

[drobin]

I'd like to know who changes their own oil MOST of the time, vs those who have someone else do it MOST of the time.

It won't be conclusive, because in a yes/no question like this you can't control for the possibility that people who change their own oil are more likely to respond, or vice versa. Still, I wonder!

I personally do my own servicing and know its done right.

Donald
"drobin"

[Fourth Horseman]

I personally do my own servicing and know its done right.

Donald
"drobin"

^^^ What Donald said! :rock:

[TooManyFords]

I do mine as well.

So far, the only mod's I haven't done are the ones where I didn't have the correct tools or were not cost effective for just a "one time" change.

My latest motor rebuild, 78 Ford 351M for the 4x4 in the background:
http://john.frieltek.com/toomanyfords/f1504x4/motor/img/dsc01312.jpg

[RF Overlord]

I'd like to know who changes their own oil MOST of the time, vs those who have someone else do it MOST of the time.

I change my own oil ALL of the time...except for my work van; the company requires us to use IffyLube, but I watch them like a hawk while they're doing it (they put in the wrong oil one time, and tried to install the wrong filter another time). :rolleyes:

I may be cynical and bitter, but there are only 2 people I trust to work on my car: me, and Jimmy Marshall of Marshall Mechanics, whom I've known for almost 20 years...he does the things I don't have the facilities to do (lift, air tools, etc).

"Marshall Mechanics: Our air tools go to eleven; that's one louder than ten"

[schuvwj]

I've done my own oil changes since 1972 but since my local F/M dealer is still willing to do my MM for 9.95 plus tax, I have them do it. For that price its hard not to!
I still change my wife's 1999 VW Jetta with 5-50wt Castrol Syntech and a Mobil-One filter. 65,000 miles and it still runs like the day she brought it home.

[gilby04]

Self-servicing my "babies" since 1963...
NO "10 minute oil change" experiences permissible...
NO stripped oil drain plugs...
NO over/under-tightened oil filters...
NO over/under-filled oilpan...
NO fender/hood scratches...
Might be a bit persnickety, but too old not to !

[Second Wind]

I change my own as well..

[jgc61sr2002]

This thread sounds familiar. My Marauder has had two oil changes to date. The first while I was on vacation in Collinsville, Il and the second by my dealer which was for free. I always service my own vehicles and this is the first exception I can recall. :D

[SergntMac]

I'm just happy to see an oil thread worth reading...

[Thomas C Potter]

Me. Always!! It surprises how many 'special car' owners do not do it themselves.

[jaywish]

Hi All,

Generally I do most of my own work but if I have to have an inspection or an alignment and it's due for an oil change then I usually have the shop do it. But.... I ask them to use whatever special oil I've chosen for that car.

This is sometimes a problem as not all shops carry all oils so I usually tell them up front. I don't care if you charge me the full boat price for a standard change (as long as it's reasonable ) just use the oil that I've put on the front seat. That usually works since they quickly figure they save a few bucks on oil. Even then sometimes some people just stand on principal.

The trick is, check the oil when you pick up the car. I've never had a problem but it couldn't hurt to check.

And no quick lube... No No.

Jay

[jgc61sr2002]

Jay - You are correct always check the oil after you car is serviced. On delivery I opened the hood of my Marauder an checked the oil. Better to be safe than sorry. :up:

[junehhan]

I always have someone else do it for me, and there is only one place I even trust. Sora's Car Care off of route 28 in Milford has been the only place that services my vehicle. Of course I also still watch them like a hawk, and they actually don't mind me standing next to them in the service bays as we talk about cars and stuff(they are huge car buff's). Of course, they offer me a great price too, as they do it for $9 if I supply my own oil and filter which I always do anyway. After i've seen where the oil filter is located on the Marauder, chances are good i'll never have the pleasure of banging up my knuckles, and burning my fingers off...............

[gohogs]

I always change my own unless.....I'm on a long trip where I'm not going to be back in time to change in the proper interval. Then I go to WallyWorld where a Mobil1 oil change is less than $35. But I do watch them like a hawk, and insist on a Ford filter.

[Dr Caleb]

I do all the work on my Crown Vic myself, save for jobs I don't have the tools or space for. I've only farmed one big job out, and that was a tranny rebuild. Brakes, ignition, plugs etc I do myself.

I've only changed the oil on the Marauder twice (12400 km on it in the last year). I had the dealer do it once, the other time I did it.

[Smokie]

I used to do everything myself not just oil changes...long story... grew tired of it. I have a Ford service facility 3/4 miles from home. Open bays with corridor between bays for customers to watch work on their cars, distance from my front bumper six feet. Same guy always does my car, I inspect the underside of my car personally every single time and discuss any concerns with mechanic while my car is in the air, nothing is done or touched without my personal approval, I have a Ford record of maintenance on my car from day of purchase. I pay $35 per change, every third change is free. Now you know why I don't want to crawl under my car anymore. :)

[CRUZTAKER]

I will generally let the dealer do it as I know my tech pretty well. He is the ONLY tech to work on the marauders as well.

I have only had 4 oil changes thus far. #1 was free, #2 was on me, #3 was free, and #4 I did myself for the first time before the winter storage. My god those motorcraft filters are expensive! $11.95 at autozone. Oil was cheap however.

The dealer keeps sending me these coupons for a $9.95 oil change...I just can't beat that.

[nexstar7]

i have the station guy do it. he lets me hang and watch so i know i'm getting what i pay for. sometimes you just dont have the time.

[1 BAD 03 MM]

NO ONE touches my oiling system.:nono: Or other fluids for that matter (Except Me of course.):D And I am refering to cars, not myself.:baaa:

[RF Overlord]

My god those motorcraft filters are expensive! $11.95 at autozone. Oil was cheap however.

WHAT??!! $11.95 for a MOTORCRAFT filter??!! :eek: Someone at your local AZ got carried away with the awesome power of their pricing gun...even the local Ford garage only wanted $7.95...my AZ charges $3.29, and Wally World is $2.99...I get a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1, a loose quart, and a Motorcraft FL820S for $31.69 incl. tax at Wally World...

[RF Overlord]

The dealer keeps sending me these coupons for a $9.95 oil change...I just can't beat that.

Sounds like a loss-leader to me...just a way to get your car in the air, so they can declare an emergency and sell you other services...there is NO WAY your dealer can make any money at that price...I realise it sounds like a good deal, but would be very suspicious of the quality of the oil and filter they might be using, too...

When I asked for a fuel filter, the local Ford garage tried to sell me some generic piece of ***** made in Cameroon or Bangladesh or somewhere. It came in a plain brown box, with a dot-matrix-printed label on it that just said: "Replaces FG986B"...the printing on the filter itself only said "Fuel Filter" and the metal looked like it was made from recycled aluminium lawn furniture...they assured me this was an authorised replacement part... :shake: :banned: ...I went out of my way to the Mercury dealer, who sold me a REAL Motorcraft filter...

[TripleG]

I'm glad to see that everyone has the time, energy, tools (lift etc..) and wisdom to do your own. My questions is - Do you properly dispose of the oil and filter? As for me and my hourly rate it's far easier to drive in - drive out, no mess, no disposal prolbem, and it's done.

[jgc61sr2002]

George - Any business in NYS that sells oil must accept used oil for recycling at no charge. That is the Law. :D

[67435animal]

Larry, for the Marauder, I have the super tech at the dealer change it so that it is recorded in OASIS.

During the winter months, I take all the cars in for oil changes but, especially with the two old ones, I bring my own oil and filter and help with the oil and lube.

During the rest of the year, I do changes on all cars (three) excluding the MM myself.

Bob

[tomd]

If anyone uses Jiffy lube they now carry 5W-20 full synthetic cost $63.00. :eek:

[TripleG]

George - Any business in NYS that sells oil must accept used oil for recycling at no charge. That is the Law. :D

I'm pretty sure that rulles apply in CT too.That's just another trip and more time wasted.

On another note if you do it yourself one should add your hourly wage to the project.

[jaywish]

I'm pretty sure that rulles apply in CT too.That's just another trip and more time wasted.

On another note if you do it yourself one should add your hourly wage to the project.
Hi George,

You are 100% right, but... The famous But...

Sometimes cars are a hobby/obsession. I work in an office so I enjoy getting down and doing some manual labor.

I know oil changes may not be on the top ten but if you are dirty & have your tools out for another job on the fleet what the heck.

Jay

[jgc61sr2002]

I'm pretty sure that rulles apply in CT too.That's just another trip and more time wasted.

On another note if you do it yourself one should add your hourly wage to the project.
George - It's a labor of love. Some of us enjoy working on cars. It's a hobby say like Golf. :D

[junehhan]

If anyone uses Jiffy lube they now carry 5W-20 full synthetic cost $63.00. :eek:


I surely hope noone on this forum ever takes their car to Jiffy Boob to get it serviced!!! I have had too many bad experiences back before I knew better, and i've heard of too many horror stories from others as well.

[Fourth Horseman]

I surely hope noone on this forum ever takes their car to Jiffy Boob to get it serviced!!! I have had too many bad experiences back before I knew better, and i've heard of too many horror stories from others as well.

I had the mass air flow sensor in my '96 V8 TBird mysteriously go bad just a day or two after using Jiffy Lube. I was in a hurry and had them change the air filter along with the oil and oil filter change. Now, I don't know for a fact that the sensor failure was related, but it sure was an odd coincidence if not.

Needless to say I've never been back.

[MarauderMark]

I go to the dearler were the car was purchased.They either stamp my manual or sign it ..and if anything happens it's there fault heh he..

[SergntMac]

I go to the dearler were the car was purchased.They either stamp my manual or sign it and if anything happens it's there fault heh he..
Ummm...stamp or sign a manual?

Okay now I'm really pizzed...What else did y'all go change on me while I wasn't lookin, eh?

Cumon, fess up...