Is it worth changing your own oil?

[Meghan54]

When I was an advisor at a dealership I was very familiar with the local regional Jiffy Lube manager. At least once a month he'd call me with something like this.

Engines, transmissions, transfer case once, axles.....something his guys didn't check, usually.
Someone would take their car there for every oil change, and all the fluids they claim to check but really don't....and then an axle or something would leak out its fluid and shell itself and they'd pay for it because if they had checked it like they were suppose to, they'd have either at least kept fluid in it or informed the customer they had a leak.

Now doubling the filter gasket...that usually shows up the second you start the engine, I've never seen one leave the shop like that. I've actually done that myself once, in my rookie days....sprayed oil all over my bay. That's just normal for an oil change shop...you do enough volume and something like that will get by every so often.

Those are the scenarios my brother, John, describes to me. And the frequency is really monthly, more than once a month really.

C'est la vie.....John did say Jiffy Lube usually doesn't try to duck responsibility for the grenaded engine/trans/whatever and pays for rebuild/replacement. It's just a bitch to have your main vehicle down for days/weeks to repair something a little attention would have prevented.

I regularly get coupons from the dealership for $24.99 oil changes. I have a Dodge Ram that takes 7 quarts, so there is no way I could come out ahead by doing it myself.

That I do understand. No counter to offer other than do you really know what's going into your crankcase? It's bulk oil from the cheapest bidder for that month/qtr. and about all one can say is it's oil of appropriate viscosity.....usually.

And if you moved to putting synthetic into your vehicle, then you do get closer to doing it yourself being cheaper, esp. if you catch some of the oil & filter specials like Advance offers. But that presumes you have the space, tools and such already on hand. I'll probably do mine when I'm 75, but I like doing the job, seeing what's coming out, knowing what's going in, doing my own inspection underneath.

But I do understand those that don't like doing it themselves. It can get messy, makes you maybe lay on your back and wiggle underneath (ramps and creeper fix that, but again, expense.....), etc., etc.

To each his own. I do contend, though, that if you depend on a quick change place/dealer to do your oil changes because it's messy or doesn't save you enough $$, then you're probably the type of person that relies upon dealer/garage for all your maintenance and repairs. So, you're putting yourself into their hands and trusting them completely. Myself, I'd rather know if my brakes are good instead of depending on someone else making that determination for me......and I'd rather save the $$ doing it myself vs. a garage/dealer. When you move out of the oil change arena into other areas of maintenance, the cost goes way up, esp. in labor.

Now, I've got some brake pads to put onto my truck this afternoon. Going to cost me $88 to do them....set of Hawk LTS pads. Did the fronts a few days ago. Excellent pads.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That I do understand. No counter to offer other than do you really know what's going into your crankcase? It's bulk oil from the cheapest bidder for that month/qtr. and about all one can say is it's oil of appropriate viscosity.....usually.

And if you moved to putting synthetic into your vehicle, then you do get closer to doing it yourself being cheaper, esp. if you catch some of the oil & filter specials like Advance offers. But that presumes you have the space, tools and such already on hand. I'll probably do mine when I'm 75, but I like doing the job, seeing what's coming out, knowing what's going in, doing my own inspection underneath.

But I do understand those that don't like doing it themselves. It can get messy, makes you maybe lay on your back and wiggle underneath (ramps and creeper fix that, but again, expense.....), etc., etc.

To each his own. I do contend, though, that if you depend on a quick change place/dealer to do your oil changes because it's messy or doesn't save you enough $$, then you're probably the type of person that relies upon dealer/garage for all your maintenance and repairs. So, you're putting yourself into their hands and trusting them completely. Myself, I'd rather know if my brakes are good instead of depending on someone else making that determination for me......and I'd rather save the $$ doing it myself vs. a garage/dealer. When you move out of the oil change arena into other areas of maintenance, the cost goes way up, esp. in labor.

Now, I've got some brake pads to put onto my truck this afternoon. Going to cost me $88 to do them....set of Hawk LTS pads. Did the fronts a few days ago. Excellent pads.

We've always taken my wife's Lexus to the dealership for service. They give her a "free" loaner car to use (even for oil changes) so it is very convenient for us. She just took it in Wednesday for a service and they gave her a new Lexus RX350 to drive overnight. The Lexus dealers are expensive but it is totally worth it just so I don't have to make time to ensure that she takes care of her car. If the car didn't remind her to take it in for service it probably wouldn't get taken care of. We will most likely replace her car with another Lexus in the next couple years and we will continue to take it to the dealer for service/repairs.

My car came with 2 years of free maintenance so I'm taking it to the dealer for the first 2 years for sure. They are 5 minutes from my work and they have a shuttle van that drops me off and picks me up so it makes servicing very easy and convenient.

 

[7window]

Those are the scenarios my brother, John, describes to me. And the frequency is really monthly, more than once a month really.

C'est la vie.....John did say Jiffy Lube usually doesn't try to duck responsibility for the grenaded engine/trans/whatever and pays for rebuild/replacement. It's just a bitch to have your main vehicle down for days/weeks to repair something a little attention would have prevented.






That I do understand. No counter to offer other than do you really know what's going into your crankcase? It's bulk oil from the cheapest bidder for that month/qtr. and about all one can say is it's oil of appropriate viscosity.....usually.

And if you moved to putting synthetic into your vehicle, then you do get closer to doing it yourself being cheaper, esp. if you catch some of the oil & filter specials like Advance offers. But that presumes you have the space, tools and such already on hand. I'll probably do mine when I'm 75, but I like doing the job, seeing what's coming out, knowing what's going in, doing my own inspection underneath.

But I do understand those that don't like doing it themselves. It can get messy, makes you maybe lay on your back and wiggle underneath (ramps and creeper fix that, but again, expense.....), etc., etc.

To each his own. I do contend, though, that if you depend on a quick change place/dealer to do your oil changes because it's messy or doesn't save you enough $$, then you're probably the type of person that relies upon dealer/garage for all your maintenance and repairs. So, you're putting yourself into their hands and trusting them completely. Myself, I'd rather know if my brakes are good instead of depending on someone else making that determination for me......and I'd rather save the $$ doing it myself vs. a garage/dealer. When you move out of the oil change arena into other areas of maintenance, the cost goes way up, esp. in labor.

Now, I've got some brake pads to put onto my truck this afternoon. Going to cost me $88 to do them....set of Hawk LTS pads. Did the fronts a few days ago. Excellent pads.

Before you edited your post, I read you posyt about the frequency of jiffy lubes error due to volume of cars. My jaw dropped and hope thats not the case. I don't know why Jiffy lube don't go through a checklist to avoid mistakes. Cars to many are very personal and owners don't want to be one of Jiffy Lubes error. Even if Jiffy Lube replaces your motor with a used one who knows how the used motor will perform unless it is a brand new motor then maybe it could be a good risk.

Thanks for the post if it is true and that is the very reason why I do it myself.

 

[Meghan54]

We've always taken my wife's Lexus to the dealership for service. They give her a "free" loaner car to use (even for oil changes) so it is very convenient for us. She just took it in Wednesday for a service and they gave her a new Lexus RX350 to drive overnight. The Lexus dealers are expensive but it is totally worth it just so I don't have to make time to ensure that she takes care of her car. If the car didn't remind her to take it in for service it probably wouldn't get taken care of. We will most likely replace her car with another Lexus in the next couple years and we will continue to take it to the dealer for service/repairs.

My car came with 2 years of free maintenance so I'm taking it to the dealer for the first 2 years for sure. They are 5 minutes from my work and they have a shuttle van that drops me off and picks me up so it makes servicing very easy and convenient.

Big deal. The Toyota dealer we took our GX 470 gave us a loaner, a new Highlander. Nice truck.

And teh Toyota dealer charged us about half what the Lexus dealer wanted for the same repair...a timing belt and water pump replacement. In fact, the overall price was so much lower that we had them do some other stuff--diff. and transfer case fluid change, brake fluid flush, power steering fluid flush, rear brake pad replacement, rear wiper blade, serpentine belt replacement, oil change w/synthetic oil, and an alignment, and still came in about what the Lexus dealer wanted for timing belt, water pump and serpentine belt replacement.

Of course, this is one Lexus dealer and one Toyota dealer, but the Toyota dealer did mention they got lots of Lexus repairs simply because there's was no tangible benefit, outside being handed a muffin and cup of coffee instead of having to serve yourself and the tile on the floor nicer at the Lexus dealer, to going to the Lexus dealer.

And this Lexus dealer was the one we used to have a new key cut, who during their complimentary inspection, swore up and down both our exhaust manifolds were cracked and needed immediate replacement to the tune of over $6K for that one repair. The Toyota dealer, Hyannis Toyota, did a similar inspection and found nothing wrong with the exhaust system. I told them what the Lexus dealer told me....it was a horrible leak, dangerous to drive, etc., etc., and all I got from them was rolling eyes. Pretty much sums up my feelings about Lexus dealers.

 

[Scarpozzi]

We bought a 4Runner that came with Toyota Care. I found out the thing takes 0w-20 synthetic oil. It's like $8/quart... I located some online for cheap, but haven't been able to change its oil yet because the dealership is still handling everything under the maintenance agreement. My wife usually drives the 4Runner....

For my Buick Regal and F150, it's a different story. I change the oil in those. I typically put the oil in milk jugs and drop it off at Autozone or Advance Autoparts in their recycling drum.

 

[Meghan54]

Before you edited your post, I read you posyt about the frequency of jiffy lubes error due to volume of cars. My jaw dropped and hope thats not the case. I don't know why Jiffy lube don't go through a checklist to avoid mistakes. Cars to many are very personal and owners don't want to be one of Jiffy Lubes error. Even if Jiffy Lube replaces your motor with a used one who knows how the used motor will perform unless it is a brand new motor then maybe it could be a good risk.

Thanks for the post if it is true and that is the very reason why I do it myself.

I actually edited it upwards in frequency. John said to me they get at least a couple of major repairs a month in his shop from Jiffy Lube screwups....it happens. But remember, Jiffy Lube and their ilk don't hire ASE cert'd mechanics...they're working for "real" shops or dealers. You get high school kids at Jiffy Lube.


I don't know why John would lie about it. He's been wrenching professionally over 30 years, is ASE cert'd out the ying-yang, and is really a completely honest mech., much to his chagrin sometimes. He calls 'em like he sees 'em and I've trusted him implicitly---can count the times he's been wrong over the decades on one hand. I've been to his shop and have seen some of the Jiffy Lube disasters. But accidents can happen anywhere from anyone. So, it isn't only JL, it can happen anywhere at any time. But JL and their like just have employees who aren't as attentive or trained as well as larger shops and dealers.

And the frequency and amount of problems from JL is partly from where he works, at a fairly busy and decent sized shop in the NoVA/DC area, and one of the oldest.

C'est la vie.....

 

[Auric]

I don't know why Jiffy lube don't go through a checklist to avoid mistakes. Cars to many are very personal and owners don't want to be one of Jiffy Lubes error. Even if Jiffy Lube replaces your motor with a used one who knows how the used motor will perform unless it is a brand new motor then maybe it could be a good risk.

They do shout confirmations to each other and spray contrasting paint all over the bolts. So yeah, you have to tell them not to do that. If a four-wheel drive with numerous grease points, you had better explain the quantity and locations. Regardless of who performs it you had better check afterwards for leaks and oil level -the latter especially after properly circulated and then again when cooled down which is never done and/or practically impossible except perchance if left at the dealer for awhile (but they won't).

 

[Fritzo]

Before you edited your post, I read you posyt about the frequency of jiffy lubes error due to volume of cars. My jaw dropped and hope thats not the case. I don't know why Jiffy lube don't go through a checklist to avoid mistakes. Cars to many are very personal and owners don't want to be one of Jiffy Lubes error. Even if Jiffy Lube replaces your motor with a used one who knows how the used motor will perform unless it is a brand new motor then maybe it could be a good risk.

Thanks for the post if it is true and that is the very reason why I do it myself.

Just to add to that, I've used Jiffy Lube type places for 25 years and have never once had a problem.

 

[NutBucket]

Anecdotal evidence: Jiffy Lube cracked the transmission housing of my co-worker's 4Runner years ago. Their "repair" was to weld a plate over the crack. Granted, the repair did last nearly a decade until he sold it but its ghetto regardless.

 

[jagec]

Just to add to that, I've used Jiffy Lube type places for 25 years and have never once had a problem.

If a busy Jiffy Lube is blowing up an engine every month, that means that there are thousands of cars going through there that AREN'T having problems...which means that you could take your car there for decades and be statistically unlikely to have issues. However, when you have other options that make even fewer mistakes, why not take them?

 

[Pacfanweb]

If a busy Jiffy Lube is blowing up an engine every month, that means that there are thousands of cars going through there that AREN'T having problems...which means that you could take your car there for decades and be statistically unlikely to have issues. However, when you have other options that make even fewer mistakes, why not take them?

You really don't, though. Other shops have the same issues at the same rate.....but their numbers of actual damaged engines/trans/differentials are lower because they don't run through the numbers of cars that a lube shop like Jiffy Lube does.

Dealerships, for the most part, don't have experienced mechanics changing oil. They have some kid that does that, so their mistakes happen on a similar percentage basis.

And even experienced mechanics screw up on a regular basis.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Local ford dealership couldn't manage to tighten the oil filter so a quart or so of oil leaked out the last time I had them do an oil change. Good thing I always check for leaks. Took them almost two hours to do what was supposed to be a quicky oil change too.

I'm betting that if there were stats a quick lube place has fewer errors, per car, on an oil change than a dealership.

 

[Fritzo]

Local ford dealership couldn't manage to tighten the oil filter so a quart or so of oil leaked out the last time I had them do an oil change. Good thing I always check for leaks. Took them almost two hours to do what was supposed to be a quicky oil change too.

I'm betting that if there were stats a quick lube place has fewer errors, per car, on an oil change than a dealership.

That would make sense. If you do one thing, it will be more accurate than if you do multiple things.

 

[desy]

The FIL drove away from a dealership, they forgot to put the oil plug back in?
Got a new engine from that one

 

[7window]

The FIL drove away from a dealership, they forgot to put the oil plug back in?
Got a new engine from that one

Good one. How did they not detect this?

1. puddle of oil
2. engine light
3. Engine noise

The dealer must have been really sleeping.

 

[sze5003]

Good one. How did they not detect this?

1. puddle of oil
2. engine light
3. Engine noise

The dealer must have been really sleeping.

Or the smell of something burning when you are running extremely low on oil. Some cars have an oil light. My rx8 did when I didn't put a quart of oil in every other gas tank fill up.

 

[HeXen]

I take mine to the dealer. Usually I find a coupon for $9.95 or sometimes $20 which still is worth it to me.
The type of oil and getting all picky about it seems pointless to me as more often than not, as the car ages, many, many other things will go wrong with it long before the engine itself has any issues related to oil.

 

[Meghan54]

I take mine to the dealer. Usually I find a coupon for $9.95 or sometimes $20 which still is worth it to me.
The type of oil and getting all picky about it seems pointless to me as more often than not, as the car ages, many, many other things will go wrong with it long before the engine itself has any issues related to oil.

And I'd agree that for most people it doesn't matter, unless you care about what oil goes into your car. True, these days for most oils, there's not a lot of difference, but doesn't it even bother you one whit not knowing the origin of that bulk oil in the tank with which the dealer fills your crankcase?

And earlier in time, some oils were known to sludge at the slightest inkling of temperature or leaving it in just a tad longer than you should. Today, probably not as much, but I like doing my own. I know exactly what's in my vehicle, what filter is there (they're not all created equally) and know the job is done properly, incl. lubing all my fittings.

With your case, you have to trust and have faith that the oil change monkey isn't mixing up the gear lube hose for the oil hose and filling your crankcase with 90W gear lube. It has happened....more than a few times.

 

[7window]

And I'd agree that for most people it doesn't matter, unless you care about what oil goes into your car. True, these days for most oils, there's not a lot of difference, but doesn't it even bother you one whit not knowing the origin of that bulk oil in the tank with which the dealer fills your crankcase?

And earlier in time, some oils were known to sludge at the slightest inkling of temperature or leaving it in just a tad longer than you should. Today, probably not as much, but I like doing my own. I know exactly what's in my vehicle, what filter is there (they're not all created equally) and know the job is done properly, incl. lubing all my fittings.

With your case, you have to trust and have faith that the oil change monkey isn't mixing up the gear lube hose for the oil hose and filling your crankcase with 90W gear lube. It has happened....more than a few times.

"I take mine to the dealer. Usually I find a coupon for $9.95 or sometimes $20 which still is worth it to me.
The type of oil and getting all picky about it seems pointless to me as more often than not, as the car ages, many, many other things will go wrong with it long before the engine itself has any issues related to oil."

Both very correct.

 

[Eos]

I've got this valve on both cars, plus a section of clear tubing. Tube onto valve, other end into milk jug. Open valve. Drain until jug is nearly full. Shut off valve. Wait for oil to drain out of tube. Swap jugs. Repeat until oil pan is empty. Six qts in my car, four in hers.

I've never made a mess. About to do the eighth change on my car, and we're six months into the second on hers. She gets Amsoil XL Synthetic 5W-30 and an Amsoil Ea15K filter. Both are rated up to 25k miles or one year. I change it every April and top off as needed. My car gets Mobil 1 5W-30 and the Toyota OEM cartridge filter. Filter is $6.48 and oil is $26.99, every 5k miles. Hers is $45.60 per year.

Tire rotation is easy with a quality floor jack. It only takes maybe ten minutes, and I get to ensure all lugnuts are torqued to the correct value.

 

[Fritzo]

I've got this valve on both cars, plus a section of clear tubing. Tube onto valve, other end into milk jug. Open valve. Drain until jug is nearly full. Shut off valve. Wait for oil to drain out of tube. Swap jugs. Repeat until oil pan is empty. Six qts in my car, four in hers.

I've never made a mess. About to do the eighth change on my car, and we're six months into the second on hers. She gets Amsoil XL Synthetic 5W-30 and an Amsoil Ea15K filter. Both are rated up to 25k miles or one year. I change it every April and top off as needed. My car gets Mobil 1 5W-30 and the Toyota OEM cartridge filter. Filter is $6.48 and oil is $26.99, every 5k miles. Hers is $45.60 per year.

Tire rotation is easy with a quality floor jack. It only takes maybe ten minutes, and I get to ensure all lugnuts are torqued to the correct value.

I've never seen that before. Is that something you installed or is that valve commercially available?

 

[NutBucket]

Fumoto. Look it up

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Love the fumoto valves, but make sure your drain plug doesn't stick straight down or it can make the valve the lowest thing on the car and susceptible to cracking the pan if you hit something.

 

[slag]

Darn, I must be doing it wrong, then. Don't have oil mess everywhere, but the pan I use is one of the larger type, this one:

Then, I personally care what oil goes into my vehicles. I don't really like the idea of having whatever the cheapest bulk oil the place bought that month going into my crankcase. And the filter....well, I don't want anything built by Fram anywhere near my stuff.

About pouring....never heard of a funnel, eh? Don't spill. And disposal is a non-issue.

But I do understand the oil places/dealers especially if you live in a very urban area. I just like doing it myself.

I have a couple of these and they suck. No matter what you do, the drain will always leak because its molded plastic that doesn't match up properly to the cap. I've gone through probably 10 of them and they are just plain crap.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Agree. I just use the open top large pans. None of those screw on caps work.