Chris, your dealer is charging you to much, I just had mine done at the dealer last week in the quick lube lane for $28.00.

 

It really depends on where you would take it. If you're not smart enough to take it to someone more reputable than an $8/hr kid, then yes, you should probably change it yourself. It also depends on how much they would charge. The guy I take it to runs his own shop and does all the work himself. Like I said he only charges me $30 per change. If I were to buy everything I need it would come out to ~$25. Add in the fact that he does the free tire rotation and refills all the fluid levels and I'm saving money. In the end I would end up paying more to do everything myself if I did it myself every time.

Not to mention I like supporting the small businessman. Screw taking it to Wal-Mart or a quickie-place.

 

cause i didnt see the motorcraft jug. this was actually the first time i have seen a motorcraft filter at our walmart.....if they have it, it would be cheaper and i might start doing it....

 

that is all they have and usually run the $10 rebate. i just have heard of ppl having warranty problems when they do their own and dont have records and such. that is why i use the dealer. they will always have my record. and now that we bought the wife a bigger SUV to hole the entire family, my truck rarely moves. i put less than 500-750 miles a month now on my truck.....

 

I had the dealership do the first 2-3 changes when i got the truck, they gave me some coupons so the final price was like 24-25 bucks. Then I did a oil change myself (Motorcraft semi syn 5W20 and Motorcraft 820 filter) and found the dealer was putting on NAPA filters and also tightening them so tight that I had to take the intake off and stab the oil filter to death with a screw driver to get it off. That was the last time that I had the dealership do a oil change on any of my vehicles. Our local welding shop, who we do alot of business with, has a waste oil burner and if we have 10 gal or more I just call the shop and the owner will stop by and pick it up on his way through town and also drop off replacement jugs to put the waste oil in, it works out very nice.

 

Nope im with you on that one

 

I do it myself. But then im somewhat mechanically inclined. I've done all the mods to my trans am, and will continue the trend on the f150.

 

There are very few shops around that I will trust to do my oil changes for me. Generally speaking they don't put their most experienced people on the lube rack...

 

I've always changed my own oil to save money (50 yrs.) and I don't want anybody else touching my vehicle is I can do the work. I've started keeping records/receipts to document oil changes for warranty purposes since car manufacturers are as bad as insurance companies as far as trying to avoid living up to their contracts.

Wonder how much money I saved in 50 years!

 

I haven't put 3K miles on my truck since April, just changed it because of the time.

 

I change my own because it saves me money, I have all the tools to do it at my house, I can just put the oil in the barrel with all the tractor oil, and because I don't trust some city kid that just wants to make a few bucks to change my oil on my baby. Seems like plenty of reason to me to change my own.

 

I usually take mine to the dealership. Usually I live in places that are pretty **** about working on a vehicle and the truck is so big that there's hardly any room inside a standard garage. I'm sure it costs more money this way, but it gives me time extra time to do something I'd rather be doing, like fishing.

 

Ken- I tried it last time I changed my SIL's in her '07. I only held it for about 3 sec. and no sign of rattle. Of course it only ever rattled for about half a second in my '04. That's why I never worried about it but I think from now on I'll do it in mine since I know it takes so little time. Only ever MC filter and MC SS 5-20.

 

I get mine done every 3k for about $20. I work at a dealership and only let someone I trust do the work. It's nice not having to deal with the disposal or taking it someplace and waiting. If I didn't work here, I'd be under the truck doing it myself tho

 

I dont let anyone work on my vehicles or motorcycles.Call it a "GUY" thing.I do have to put on the table that I'm a automotive master tech according to the plaque on the wall but thats besides the point.I like to do my own work for 2 reasons..neither has to do with money.
First off I take my time..when working on you own vehicle your not on the clock so you can take the time to check and recheck.You also can look around for potential upcoming problems that can be missed by the guys at jiffy lube.Like looking over the suspension ,greasing the linkage,grease fittings IF YOU HAVE THEM...most don't..checking tire wear..and when doing an oil change checking for leaks in general and all the other fluids.
Second..The pleasure or should I say the Pride..in doing it yourself.Its something all guys should be able to do.At least the kind of guys that take so much pride in there trucks that they post pictures of them here.
As some may know I'm a fleet mechanic for the USPS and I do mainly road calls.And I get calls all the time of blown or noisy motors and when I check them theres NO oil in them.I always tell the driver that hes a pitiful example of a man when he can't even check the oil.They alway say..Its not my truck..No pride.
On our personal trucks you should have a little pride and at least do the simple stuff..like the oil change..wiper blades..checking the anti-freeze etc.and if you have a son..you should teach him what you can..whatever that may be.If for no other reason then to do some male bonding,something missing with the male youths of today I think.After all if you have a daughter the wife is gonna teach her girly stuff..make up,cooking etc...Take the time to teach your kid MAN stuff.Because I think the guys that are afraid to do it themselve were never taught by their fathers..and thats a shame.
Just my 2 cents worth...

P.S..and I do understand that if its the middle of winter with snow on the ground your not gonna crawl under your truck to do an oil change.and jiffy lube type service may be better than NO service.But try to do some things yourself..you'll love the feeling you get afterwards.And you can brag about doing it here in the forum

Posttal AKA Ralph
Cleveland,Ohio
http://s760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/posttal/
Mechanic 4 U.S.P.S.
Master certified for 25 yrs
2006 F150 Lariat
HID lights
Embroidered headrests
Code alarm remote start
Avic X910bt head unit
Rear camera
Gryphon tuner
Chrome pillar posts and door handles
Bull bar
etc..etc