it seems like i'm the only person in the world that does it myself. its not that hard. i'm 17 now and i only know a couple other people that still change their own oil
2006-08-13 09:37:52 · 18 answers · asked by THEBurgerKing 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I change my own oil on 3 cars, and try to do as much maintenance and repairs as possible. I have been doing that for 35 years, and learned from my father - he still does it, too.
Good for you to work on your car - by maintaining your car on your own, you learn a lot more about it, recognize changes before they become a major problem, you won't be taken advantage of by unscrupulous repair shops, and save a lot of money.
Consider: for every $1 you earn in wages, as least 30% is taxed for income tax, SS and Medicare. So for a $25 oil change, you need to earn $32.50. You can buy an oil filter for $5 and 5 qts of oil for another $5, then add your sales tax. If you buy oil at the right time, you can get rebates, too. For a $10 investment, you put $22.50 into your pocket. Do the other stuff - filters, spark plugs, top off fluids, even a brake job and the savings add up.
Good luck
2006-08-13 10:13:37 · answer #1 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey, I had a 1986 suburban diesel and I changed the oil on that rig every 3000 miles... I used a 2 quart oil filter made by Wix and topped off every change with a few drops of Marvel Mystery Oil. It had over 300000 miles on it when it went down and it wasn't because of the engine. Third tranny was it for me and I parted it out in south Texas..... I'm sure that diesel engine is still running strong...
2006-08-13 16:51:59 · answer #2 · answered by gamerunner2001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it comes down to it, it doesn't seem very cost efficient to change your own oil. Local places do it for $16, after the expenses of buying your oil, a new filter, an oil wrench and a new washer, and then factor in the time, the oil you have to get rid of, and the overall mess you make, it just seems to make more sense to take it to someone who will do it for such a low price.
2006-08-13 16:50:06 · answer #3 · answered by sft2hrdtco 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to change mine all the time, but the local Walmart does a synthic oil change for not much more than what the oil costs, so why bother? Plus I don't have to hassle with the old oil.
I always bring the filter and plug gasket that I want them to use, and I know the guys that work there, so that works for me.
2006-08-13 16:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by Jolly1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I change my own oil and do some maintenance. Around here most shops want to over torque the drain plug or cross thread it. In any case it may just end up stripped out.I change oil every 3000 and the filter every other time. Put in slick-50 every 50,000. My Toyota has 220,000 on it.
2006-08-13 18:37:44 · answer #5 · answered by Jeremy J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son and I still do. I'm not paying anyone three to four times the value of the materials to do something as simple as an oil change. I can throw my money in more creative ways.
2006-08-13 16:45:09 · answer #6 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I change the oil in my motorcycle but take the car to the dealership.
2006-08-13 16:42:53 · answer #7 · answered by B R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I am a Democrat that changes " her " own oil cuts her own grass, and
I could be your Grandmother,
2006-08-13 16:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by kritikos43 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have three vehicles and I change the oil in all of them.
2006-08-13 16:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by Iron Rider 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I change my own oil. Don't trust anyone to touch my things that are soo expensive.
2006-08-13 16:41:25 · answer #10 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋