Do you change your own oil?

[pete6032]

I just bought my first synthetic oil car and was shocked that the price of an oil change doubled. Most places near me charge $70. I looked around at what it would cost me to do my own change and figure the following:

$25 5QT 0W-20 Oil
$5 filter
$0-$4 oil plug (if needed to replace)

So I'm thinking it would be around $30-$35 not including any fixed costs (jack, oil pan, etc.). Plus then you have to take the used oil to an auto parts store when you're done and you may pay some nominal fee to recycle it. In any case seems like I'm basically paying a mechanic $35 for the labor to do the change. Or I could do it myself and save $35. Is it really worth it to change the oil myself? Seems like a messy job just to save a few dollars every 4-6 months.

 

[UsandThem]

I've changed my own oil for 20+ years.

It's cheaper and I know it's being done correctly. Once you've done it a few times and get some experience, you'll learn how to not make a mess (and complete it more quickly).

Seems like a messy job just to save a few dollars every 4-6 months.

$30 - $40 savings every six months over 20 years = $1,200 - $1,600 savings per vehicle + I don't have to drive to a shop and sit there and wait for it to be done (and hope they do everything correctly).

 

[pauldun170]

Cars, motorcycles
Always did it myself, at least on my cars.
My time is extremely valuable to me and it has always been quicker for me to just change the oil and filter myself than making appointments and driving somewhere not staffed by morons. Takes 15 minutes for me on my car. Takes longer on my motorycle due to Honda's annoying tabbed fairings on my bike. Never needed jacks stands or anything fancy on any of my cars and on the occasion where I was helping a friend out I just used my old sears hydraulic jack.
Keep a pair 7 gallon jug in garage to store the oil and usually when a car goes in for inspection toss the jugs in the trunk and the mechanic disposes of the oil. I used to do the coolant as well but nowadays I have slacked off on that and just have the mechanic do it.

Wife generally got new cars so I'd typically just let the dealerships do those until the warranty ran out.

 

[Jimzz]

Yea but you should shop around on the oil/filters more.

2 5 quart jugs for around $25 in store.

https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-5w-30-full-synthetic-motor-oil-5-quart%2C-2-pack.product.100527865.html

Walmart has supertech for around $15 a jug if you do not have a costco membership.

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

Filters you can get from rockauto if you plan to keep the car a while. Order 6 oil filters, 1 air filter, and 1 cabin filter and you will be set for a while. You can get a drain washer if needed also at the same time.

RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

Around/less than $20 for most cars. I still do a little side work and charge $40 for a syn oil change.

 

[repoman0]

I do it myself mostly out of laziness, and bottles of used oil build up in my and my dad’s garage because I never take them in. Really need to get rid of them all. I’ve been using one of those pressure suckers through the dipstick tube lately. So much easier than having to make an appointment, drive car somewhere, and wait for them. Plus I’m picky about what oil and filter goes in.

 

[pcgeek11]

I have always changed my oil myself. I can't see paying someone to do it when it is so simple and when done you will know it is correct.

I had a friend get his done at one of those iffy lube joints. Driving home afterwards the drain plug fell out, dumped the oil and blew the engine. They did eventually replace his engine after 12 months of fighting and lawyers involved. I don't need that at all.

Plus I drink a few beers while changing the oil, rotating the tires and greasing the drive shaft.

 

[Torn Mind]

Yeah. Because if it takes me an hour and half at the dealership total for the $5 change, then I might as well burn up that same amount of time at my own place and not have to clean up the car, etc.

 

[Brainonska511]

Nope. First, I have no driveway to work in; second, I'm lazy; and third, it only costs ~$30 to have my local mechanic do it.

 

[snoopy7548]

If you do your own, definitely get one of these things:

SX Series Fumoto® Engine Oil Drain Valves | Fumoto® USA

Fumoto

fumotousa.com

Better than messing with drain plugs - just open the valve to drain, and close it when you're done.

I never changed my oil until I got my new car a little over a year ago. It uses full synthetic, so I decided to just start doing it myself. With the amount of miles I drive, I'll be a on a yearly schedule for changes.

 

[zinfamous]

Used to, didn't for a while, now I do again because I have the means: my own space to do it and the tools. With a top-mounted oil filter all I have to do is extract it and I don't even get dirty or worry about crushing myself by knocking the car off, or improperly seating a new drain plug (though, I guess I should still replace the plug every couple of years?)

I spent quite a bit on the first (Extractor was about $70, but that's hopefully a ~lifetime cost), and 0w-20 or "proper VW spec" 508 was difficult to find up until about 1/2 year ago, so that cost me ~$60 for 6quarts. It's much cheaper now, but still, getting the 508 spec is a bit pricier. Does it matter? probably not. But I also only drive like 3k miles/year so far on the new car, so it's not like I'm doing this more than once/year.

My oil should be swapped every 10k miles, but I do the once per year thing, regardless.

 

[pcgeek11]

I don't even get dirty or worry about crushing myself by knocking the car off, or improperly seating a new drain plug (though, I guess I should still replace the plug every couple of years?)

You should never have to replace a drain plug. You only need to replace the gasket or crush washer seal.

 

[NutBucket]

It's also good to change your own so know how much comes out. I mean, how many people actually check their oil between changes?

 

[pauldun170]

Used to, didn't for a while, now I do again because I have the means: my own space to do it and the tools. With a top-mounted oil filter all I have to do is extract it and I don't even get dirty or worry about crushing myself by knocking the car off, or improperly seating a new drain plug (though, I guess I should still replace the plug every couple of years?)

I spent quite a bit on the first (Extractor was about $70, but that's hopefully a ~lifetime cost), and 0w-20 or "proper VW spec" 508 was difficult to find up until about 1/2 year ago, so that cost me ~$60 for 6quarts. It's much cheaper now, but still, getting the 508 spec is a bit pricier. Does it matter? probably not. But I also only drive like 3k miles/year so far on the new car, so it's not like I'm doing this more than once/year.

My oil should be swapped every 10k miles, but I do the once per year thing, regardless.

You replacing the drain plug?
That VW drain plug on your car is not supposed to be reused from what I understand.

 

[Leymenaide]

I used to do it. There is no major problem short of the depression it causes. I used to put huge milage on my cars and would religiously change the oil. If I did it I always signed and dated my oil filter. I would often go to the dealer for the next change and book maintenance. All to often the signed and dated oil filter was still on the car and hence depression. VW mechanics also seemed to hate to change cabin filters I eventually figured you had to pay for three original equipment to get one after market.

 

[Stiff Clamp]

Yep, for years now. It's not going to change itself. $17 for the Valvoline, $6-8 for the filter. Maybe 25 minutes time.

 

[zinfamous]

You replacing the drain plug?
That VW drain plug on your car is not supposed to be reused from what I understand.

What I mean is that when using an extractor, you don't even deal with the oil pan, much less a drain plug. So, I wasn't sure if, every couple of years, I should just replace it with a new one anyway, even though I never touch it to change the oil.

pc geek is correct that I shouldn't have to replace it, but my only concern really is that it is plastic (like the oilpan--which is also one of those things where you're like...eww, I need to replace that a proper metal pan. Of course, then you go down the rabbit hole of swapping out parts, especially in the engine bay, because it's so kewl). But then it seems that the plastic oil pan really isn't that much of an issue, anyway.

A lot of the "pre-made" kits that you buy for a single oil change from VW specialty shops (like DAP; not too horribly priced) come with a replacement drain plug.

I swapped the oil back in AprilishMay, I think (4k miles, lol--but one year out) and didn't touch the plug. It's still fine. So...I guess as long as you don't remove it, you can just leave it in?

The general issue with this method (Extractor), I guess, is that people worry about leaving some old oil in, which will definitely happen because it isn't ever going to be as completely effective as draining. And I know I didn't get quite all of it--probably left 1/5th of a quart in, I think. Which, still, at 4k miles and now 6.2k miles total on the car, with the one oil change, really doesn't worry me (it's a ~5.7-6qt capacity). I didn't let the car warm up enough, which is even more important when using an extractor when you want to be as efficient as possible. I was also worried about the quality of the extraction hose--I didn't want it to melt when shoving it all the way down and into the oil pan, if the oil and engine is too hot, as I have read from some owners that this has happened to them.

 

[sdifox]

Meh, I would rather not handle carcinogens.

 

[Motostu]

I used to let the dealership do it when I had my Acuras, because it was only like $40. And, they had a nice waiting area, so it wasn't a big deal to go in the morning, drink some coffee/work on my laptop while they changed it, then head into work.

That changed when I got my BMW. I got free changes until it hit 50k miles, but I found that things ran differently there than the Acura dealership. Yes, it was more expensive, but waiting on the oil change wasn't really an option here (at least at our dealership). So, the combination of price and hassle lead me to try it myself, and it's actually pretty easy on my 535ix (2011 model). Filter is on the top, and if I jack it up a few inches I can reach the drain plug. Cost of oil and filter is between $35 and $40, and I can get it done in about a half hour.

My wife has a newer Volvo; I won't touch that until it's out of warranty.

I have an older F150 (2001 model) that I've been changing the oil on since we got it 16 years ago. It's not bad, except I have to contort myself somewhat to reach the filter. If I can't get it off by hand, then it becomes more of a pain trying to get a strap around it to loosen it up.

I have several jugs around for storing the oil. I'll make a trip to Autozone once a year or so to dump it.

 

[pauldun170]

What I mean is that when using an extractor, you don't even deal with the oil pan, much less a drain plug. So, I wasn't sure if, every couple of years, I should just replace it with a new one anyway, even though I never touch it to change the oil.

pc geek is correct that I shouldn't have to replace it, but my only concern really is that it is plastic (like the oilpan--which is also one of those things where you're like...eww, I need to replace that a proper metal pan. Of course, then you go down the rabbit hole of swapping out parts, especially in the engine bay, because it's so kewl). But then it seems that the plastic oil pan really isn't that much of an issue, anyway.

A lot of the "pre-made" kits that you buy for a single oil change from VW specialty shops (like DAP; not too horribly priced) come with a replacement drain plug.

I swapped the oil back in AprilishMay, I think (4k miles, lol--but one year out) and didn't touch the plug. It's still fine. So...I guess as long as you don't remove it, you can just leave it in?

The general issue with this method (Extractor), I guess, is that people worry about leaving some old oil in, which will definitely happen because it isn't ever going to be as completely effective as draining. And I know I didn't get quite all of it--probably left 1/5th of a quart in, I think. Which, still, at 4k miles and now 6.2k miles total on the car, with the one oil change, really doesn't worry me (it's a ~5.7-6qt capacity). I didn't let the car warm up enough, which is even more important when using an extractor when you want to be as efficient as possible. I was also worried about the quality of the extraction hose--I didn't want it to melt when shoving it all the way down and into the oil pan, if the oil and engine is too hot, as I have read from some owners that this has happened to them.

I was led to believe that the plug HAS to be replaced and that general best practice is to not reuse.
Custom plastic "Ze German engineered" plug on a plastic oil pan.

A quick check of the ... er...don't ask why I have the service manual for a car I don't own lol.

VW Plastic Oil Drain Plugs

The newer VWs have a plastic drain plug that is removed by a quarter turn with a flat head screwdriver. There seems to be conflicting information about how many times this drain plug can be reused, so I am pinging fellow BITOG VW owners for advice. Is it supposed to be replaced every OCI? If...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

[pauldun170]

Considering this is the plug in question, I'd definitively avoid reusing it if you were removing it for a drain.
Since you are using an extractor and never touching it, I wouldn't sweat it

 

[repoman0]

Meh, I would rather not handle carcinogens.

You’re not supposed to drink it ...

 

[UsandThem]

Meh, I would rather not handle carcinogens.

 

[IronWing]

Nope, I never have had the slightest interest in changing the oil myself. I figure one trip to the oil change place is better than one trip to the auto parts store plus a second trip to dispose of the oil (none of the storm drains here empty into the ocean so it’s a long trip).



Just kidding, we don’t even have storm drains here.

 

[killster1]

Nope, I never have had the slightest interest in changing the oil myself. I figure one trip to the oil change place is better than one trip to the auto parts store plus a second trip to dispose of the oil (none of the storm drains here empty into the ocean so it’s a long trip).



Just kidding, we don’t even have storm drains here.

well since i buy my oil at costco and oil filters at walmart (10 at a time) i dont really count that as needing to go to the auto parts store. But yea you have to dispose of your oil at the auto parts store. they used to pay you for the oil at autozone, not sure but i have about 5 gallons i need to dispose of atm heh (and two more oil changes to do) bad part is my new house has a drive way that is on a slant so i guess ill park half way on the curb and not even need to use my fancy jack and jackstands. Sure hope this costco full synth is close to as good as mobile 1. the whole oil change takes around 9 mins, sometimes i let it trickle out for 20 mins but usually give up after 5

 

[Jimzz]

Considering this is the plug in question, I'd definitively avoid reusing it if you were removing it for a drain.
Since you are using an extractor and never touching it, I wouldn't sweat it

Yea some filters come with the plug for BMWs. Another great german engineering design.