Changing your own oil: Is is really worth it?

[TheFantod]

So here's my oil change routine today. (Keep in mind, I don't have a garage).

1.Take the old oil container out to O'Reily's & dump it. Get 5 quarts of Quaker State and a filter for $18 after tax. Come back and put the car in the driveway.

2. Go out to the shed behind the house and break out the creeper, two jack stands, giant piece of cardboard (to catch any stray oil) & floor jack. Carry them up front.

3. Go inside to get my metric socket set, shop rag, & my oil changing gloves. (I have a pal that works for oil companies in the midwest and he sent me a big box of them for free). Put on "oil changing shirt & shorts."

4. Find a can of "Off" and spray liberally over all exposed skin.

5. Jack up the car place the jack-stands, lay down the creeper, take the top of the oil collector, slide it under where I think the oil is going to come out. Put on a 16mm socket, and try to loosen the drain plug. Now, every time I tighten the plug, I try not to give it too much torque. But every time I try to loosen it, it won't budge.

6. Go back in the house to get the mallet to tap the end of the socket wrench to get the stupid plug to budge a bit, then loosen it and get the collector ready.

7. When the plug pops off quickly slide the collector backwards because I always underestimate the "trajectory" of the spilling oil.

8. Wait an eternity for the last of the oil to stop dripping.

9. Wipe off the plug and replace it, trying not to overtighten it.

10. Get the oil filter wrench, and loosen the oil filter. (An aside here, the oil filter wrench is quite possibly the most ingenious and spectacular invention created by man. On a Honda Accord, the oil filter is in a very inconvenient spot. I've tried those Fram Sure Grip, but they don't help when you have to bend your arm 4 different ways just to get a grip on it.

11. Get doused by hot oil because I always forget to slide the collector back to catch the oil from the filter.

12. Clean up all the spilled oil all over the axle and nearby parts, lightly oil the new filter, and spin it back on.

13. Pull out the collector, rags, tools, and anything else I've left underneath the car.

14. Insert floor jack, remove jackstands, and lower.

15. Go back to the shed because I always forget the oil funnel.

16. Pop the hood and try to remove oil cap. Get the mallet again because for some reason that SOB is a biyatch to remove.

17. Easily pour in 4 quarts, then try my hardest to add 6/10 of a quart. Who comes up with these measurements anyway? Why not just make it 5 quarts even?

18. Close up shop, start car, check level with dipstick.

19. Take the floor jack, jack stands, creeper & funnel back to the shed. Drop off 4 empty quart bottles in recycling. Add the 4/10ths left with all the other 4/10th bottles in my collection. I figured out I have over 2 quarts of new oil in 4/10th of a quart increments.

20. Wipe off socket wrench (which is now drenched in old oil). Collect socket wrench set, hammer, & rags, and carry them back inside.

21. Breakout the Gojo and clean all the oil off my forearms and hands, then plop down in the computer with a smug sense of self-satisfaction.

The the $64K question is: "Is it really worth it?"

PROS:
• I know I'm using a good quality and correct weighted oil, and not some cheap "one size fits all 10W-30" from a quick lube place.
• I'm not going to strip my oil plug like some pimple faced kid who thinks all oil plugs are 5/8".
• I'm not going to try to convince myself that I need a new air filter, PC valve, "johnson rod," or pine tree air freshener
• A sense that I did something "manly" and earned my man card for the day.

CONS:
• Very hot, dirty, uncomfortable, and cramped work
• Whole procedure takes about 45 minutes
• Most oil change places charge you $20-25, so I'm not saving a ton of money

So how about it? Is it worth the trouble or no?

[Radical Edward]

No. It's definitely not.
Stop being cheap and be lazy instead.

[Stinsok]

I used to change it myself until a huge gust of wind blew hot oil on my face!

[hdracer]

Be a MAN and do it yourself. It feels good to get your hands dirty. Rotate your tires while you are at it too. The 15 yo kid under your car is not a pro.

[jp58]

I like doing it myself, not for the saving of money, I just really enjoy working with my hands and turning wrenches once in a while. My last change was $16.97 after tax.

If you think your oil filter is in a bad spot, you should see the one on my Camry. It's straight up vertical on top of the engine, and its too small for traditional filter wrenches to fit, so I had to fab my own.

I do most of the routine stuff to mine and my immediate families cars, sometimes dad helps out (I still live at home when college isn't in).

[tplyons]

I've always changed my own oil as I know I'm getting the proper weight oil and I get a chance to spend time getting to know the "quirks" of my car... visual inspection from underneath, etc.

Since I got my HHR, my dealership has provided me $25 service vouchers four times a year. Oil changes cost me $7.50 each time, and I get to hang out with my salesman who is quite the car and motorcycle enthusiast.

[tinman 1967]

You forgot the part about having to look up the part # of the oil filter you need in that greasy little book, then finding out that its out of stock, so back to the greasy little book for a cross reference

(not that you would have known the # by heart after doing 684 changes on the vehicle.

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by tinman 1967

You forgot the part about having to look up the part # of the oil filter you need in that greasy little book, then finding out that its out of stock, so back to the greasy little book for a cross reference

(not that you would have known the # by heart after doing 684 changes on the vehicle.

I bought them three or four at a time, so *I* always had one in stock.

[Waterpilot]

I used to do it myself, but now I just have it done. They check my tire pressure, top off my other fluids, and do other mundane inspections that I'm too lazy to do. It's not even that much more money when you talk about time, disposing of the oil, ect...

[tinman 1967]

Yep, I do that with my HD filters.....



Cause I hate goin in that place!

[Let It Fall]

Dont use a FRAM EVER!!!

I use synthetic only and it only costs me 30$ plus im working on my truck everyday so why not.

[baalroo]

I'm 30 years old, but when I visit my folks my stepfather always runs out and checks my mileage and if it's about time for a change he just swipes my keys off the table and changes my oil for me. He also does a full inspection of my vehicle. He's an engineer and enjoys that sort of junk, and who am I to complain.

p.s. he does this for the entire family... and anyone else who will let him.

[RPIcka]

While you are waiting for the oil to drain, why not remove the oil filter then and maybe check your tires and top them up if needed. I find it rewarding and I like to know it is done right.

[waleross]

I have two Toyota's and I paid $27.80 each for an oil change. The margin of savings is all but gone. The local shop I go to checks everything and its to my advantage to go there. I do remember getting the "first-free" oil change from the dealership the 2007 came from. They of course forgot to tighten the oil plug, so when I got back home there was all the new oil all over the driveway. After they cleaned it up, I never went back to that dealership. If you have the room to change your oil, rotate the tires and do some other basic tasks,then do it ,it can be fun but here in Florida its just too hot being a shade-tree mechanic...

[LAG]

I changed the oil in two of my vehicles this morning, and rotated the tires on one of them. Why pay somebody for what I can do myself?

My sister had her oil changed at a quick lube type of place. Driving down the freeway on her way home, she noticed the oil light on (on the dash). Turns out they added too much oil to the motor, which resulted in the warning light. Knuckleheads.

The only time I ever take mine in for a change is if I am on a super long trip on the road.

[Auzzie-Phoenix]

I tried to change my oil last time, but the firestone it got changed at the time prior had torqued the drain plug on to the point that it took an impact wrench to remove it. It also had to be replaced because I had almost stripped it trying to remove the thing myself.

I'm hoping that when the time comes around for the next change that midas didn't overtorque the thing too. Also... I have always used fram filters for my car, never had any problems with them. The average cost of an oil change here is $22-30. Cost of oil and filters for a '97 Escort LX with the 2000spi engine= about $16-17. Plus it's all easy access on that engine (all 4 spark plugs located at top front of engine, filter and drain plug located at bottom passenger side, rear of engine).

I fully intend on changing my oil from this point on, now that the old drainplug is off (it was torqued to about 80lb's, surprised the oilpan didn't crack, or the plug stripped out).

[LAG]

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

I tried to change my oil last time, but the firestone it got changed at the time prior had torqued the drain plug on to the point that it took an impact wrench to remove it. It also had to be replaced because I had almost stripped it trying to remove the thing myself.

I'm hoping that when the time comes around for the next change that midas didn't overtorque the thing too. Also... I have always used fram filters for my car, never had any problems with them. The average cost of an oil change here is $22-30. Cost of oil and filters for a '97 Escort LX with the 2000spi engine= about $16-17. Plus it's all easy access on that engine (all 4 spark plugs located at top front of engine, filter and drain plug located at bottom passenger side, rear of engine).

I fully intend on changing my oil from this point on, now that the old drainplug is off (it was torqued to about 80lb's, surprised the oilpan didn't crack, or the plug stripped out).

A replacement drain plug can be had for about $2 to $3 at an auto parts supply store. They are usually require a 15mm wrench.

Watch for sales on cases of oil and filters, that's what I do. I can change my oil ( 5 qts) and filter for approx $11.00 this way and I know it is done right. I put the used oil out for recycle in empty milk jugs, with the screw cap lid.

[LAG]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Dont use a FRAM EVER!!!

Why not?

I've used Fram filters off and on for over 35 years and never had an issue.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Dont use a FRAM EVER!!!

I use synthetic only and it only costs me 30$ plus im working on my truck everyday so why not.

Why no Fram?? 40 years as a mechanic and have NEVER heard about ANY problem with them. There may be better filters on the market, but there are a lot worse ones out there. Fram is a perfectly good filter to use, AND they have the nice "Grip" on them.
Or are you a Amsoil dealer and spewing there BS. BTW I am a Amsoil dealer and there products are good, but there marketing is pure BS

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by Let It Fall

Dont use a FRAM EVER!!!

I use synthetic only and it only costs me 30$ plus im working on my truck everyday so why not.

Why not? I've been using Fram filters since the mid '70s and I've never had a problem with them. And I've been doing my own oil changes since then as well. It's easy, takes me 30 minutes, and I save money too.