When I was 15, I had an older friend that worked at a "shop". No need to mention the name or the city. He told me about how sometimes if a car came in for an oil change with low oil, they'd just clean off the filter and top it off with "Quaker Sludge". His words. Whether it was true or not, never really mattered to me. With that thought in mind, I've been the only one to touch my vehicles for the last 15 years...with the exception of tires (which I can't do myself) and a tranny job (done under warranty).

 

I always use mobile one and motorcraft filters...


and I take my old oil to the autozone about 1/2 a mile from my house for disposal (recycling)

 

Cost effectiveness of someone else doing it is false economy when you calculate the value of your time and how much time you actually spend taking it somewhere to have them do it.

I pick up my oil and filter when I'm already out shopping so it costs me no extra time --- maybe 5 minutes to swing by the auto parts store next to Publix. By the time I get home the engine is warmed up. I go do something productive while I let the oil drain for about 30 minutes to the engine is completely drained. Total time actually involved is about 15-20 minutes to take the filter off, open the Fumoto drain value, put a new filter back on (filled with oil to prevent a dry first start, something places don't do when they change your oil), and pour in the right amount of oil.

Now, I don't know about you folks, but my time is worth a lot to me. Now, if I take it to some place to get it changed it takes 15+ minutes to drive there, 15+ minutes to get back, 15+ minutes for them to change it and that's assuming there is zero wait time (there never is).

Lets say you spend a minimum of 1 hour of your time to take it some place else and for example your time is worth $25 per hour. Now, you just spent $25 of your time, and $30 for an oil change getting a cheap *** filter and cheap semi-synthetic oil for a total of $55 for the change.

Meanwhile, I spent $30 on a high quality full synthetic plus a Pure One or Mobil 1 oil filter (which ever is on special). I did it in 15-20 minutes of my time so the other 40-45 minutes is available to earn income or relax. So, in total I'm ahead by $25 and 40 minutes time (and I make much more than $25/hour so I'm saving a lot of money). I can take that $25 and spend it on oil analysis or bank it.

 

Your example didn't account for the 15 minute drive to dispose of the used oil, the 15 minute wait in the hazardous material disposal line, and the 15 minute drive back. All while I was reclining or perhaps earning an income of $25 per hr.

There is no right or wrong answer here.

I know people who cut their own hair, and it shows.

 

It's not that bad if you save them in jugs (Arizona tea gallons work real well), and then just take them in when you are buying your next oil and filter.

As for the oil change, I like to do it myself. For the amount they charge around here for a "synthetic" oil change, I could almost buy 2 synthetic oil changes.

 

Just not practical for me to mess with doing it myself. I get it done at the dealer for about $27. Plus, every second oil change, they rotate the tires for free. I always check the dip stick before leaving to make sure it's full and the oil is clean.

 

...also changes his own oil,
...and saved a bunch of money on his car ins by switching to GEICO.




J/K

 

I change my own oil not to save money, but because it forces me to take a critcal look at my truck every 3K-4K miles. You never know what you might come across crawling around under your truck, or pawing through the engine compartment.

 

I used to change my own all the time but now with the cost of oil and filter being almost as much as a pay change it is isnt worth it to me. I take it to my local Wal Mart. The auto side opens at 7:00 am and I find during the middle of the week if I get there between 7-7:30 there is no wait. I have them use Motorcraft oil and filter and it cost me about $35.

 

For me at least this is totally irrelevant, we don't have trash pickup (or taxed for trash disposal) here, so instead we bring our trash to a "Transfer Station". At these stations which are a whooping 1 mile down the road on my way to work, they have a set of steps leading up to a very large fuel container that you can dump your used oil in. You may also leave it in closed containers at the bottom of the container.

I also have to agree with Fairlaner..... its nice to get to know your trucks issues by seeing them first hand, not just having Joe Schmo from "Lube it Quik" tell me that everythings gone south and its going to cost you 1000.00s of dollars.

 

im a mechanic and have full access to the shop i work at but even if i didnt i would still change my own its about $18 for a Motorcraft FL-820s and 7qts of Motorcraft semi syn oil hell if you have a powerstroke its big bucks savings at wally about $54 vs avg $110 at any shop.

 

I have a 20 quart container for used oil. I take it by the Autozone once per year and do it when I'm already planing to go there. I drain it in their tank for free, and it extends the time of my visit by a whopping 5 minutes spread over 3 oil changes that's under 2 minutes time for each change.

I know people who are afraid of getting oil on their hands, and it shows. If you don't believe me, just ask their manicurist!

 

Walmart charged me $75 to change the oil in my truck with mobil 1 and havent went back since. I do my oil from now on, it takes 20 mins and you know its done right. I can get 5 quarts of mobil 1 at walmart for $23 and $3 for a filter, so for about half the price they charge I can have it done myself.

 

I,m feeling nostalgic now. I now they say there is no such thing as a stupid question but I went under my truck to take a peek and I could not find the oil filter. I know this sounds stupid but can anybody show with pictures or direct me were to look.

 

Reminded me of the Country & Western Classic,
'If Your Phone Don't Ring, You Know It's Me'