I am surprised at how many people don't change their own oil anymore. I hear so many at work that don't. I had to teach a cub scout achievement one night on maintaining things, and checking a cars oil and tires was one. No one knew anything except my son, they all knew that their dad took it somewhere to be changed. Am I a dying breed here, or do some of you guys still do it yourself?
Lost Art of Changing Your Own Oil?
- Thread starter jr37
- Start date
polarisrider1
New member
It's a 50/50 thing with me. Getting rid of the oil is a hassle if you live in an appartment or condo setting. The "specials" the Oil change places and dealers run make it no longer worth while to change my own oil. Sure they get you in to up sell you, but you don't have to bite on the $20 windshield wipers they push. I will change my truck since I do not need a jack to do so. Wife's car goes to the "shop".
I do understand your point of knowing how to do simple maintence items. The oil change places do much more then just the oil change. They have a list posted in the store. Heck I never knew or even would of thought about the cabin filter on the wifes car along with things like that. Who in here changes their push mower oil ever???
I do understand your point of knowing how to do simple maintence items. The oil change places do much more then just the oil change. They have a list posted in the store. Heck I never knew or even would of thought about the cabin filter on the wifes car along with things like that. Who in here changes their push mower oil ever???
L
lenny
Guest
Who in here changes their push mower oil ever??
I do, why would you a guy neglect the mower?
I do, why would you a guy neglect the mower?
garyl62
Active member
Have to admit I don't do it any more. There are too many places by me that will do it for $20 including all the shop fees and misc extra charges. Normally go to the guys I get my tires from as they run a $16.99 special all the time. They add $1.50 for shop fee, and another buck something fee for something else so with tax it ends up being $21, but I can't buy oil and a filter for much less than that. Besides, I go every 5,000 miles and have them rotate the tires at the same time, which is free since I bought em there.
Kind of sad to realize, but as I'm getting older, it is much nicer to sit in the waiting room BSing with the owner for 30 minutes, than crawling under the vehicle in my garage getting dripped on.
Kind of sad to realize, but as I'm getting older, it is much nicer to sit in the waiting room BSing with the owner for 30 minutes, than crawling under the vehicle in my garage getting dripped on.
polarisrider1
New member
The place I go to has all the snowmobile magazines in the waiting room!.........I suspect it is a trick.
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I got lawn care service.
We got several free oil changes with our vehicles also, so until they're used up, I take it in. Getting rid of waste oil just got a whole lot tougher here also. We used to be able to put it in milk jugs for weekly recycling pickup, but now we have a new garbage collection contract. The village no longer has a drum, the county no longer has a drum either. Too much abuse I suppose. So, as mentioned, it's just easier to wait til an oil change place has a deal, and get it done then. I agree, kind of a shame. If I had a good disposal setup, I'd change my own. I do change the oil in my small engines, but those take such small amounts, I can store it up until I"ll eventually have to deal with it. Got a couple gallons now actually.
I still do mine on My 2006 Dodge Ram with the Hemi. I have done it since new. I have my wife and son take their vehicles somewhere to get the oil changed. My neighbor gets rid of the oil for me at his work. I'm just particular about MY TRUCK...The one thing that nobody but me drives. LOL
I change my own in the truck and car. My reasoning is that it's the only excuse I have to get under the vehicle to inspect things. I may not be able to repair something under there but at least I'm watching for problems. The city takes all of our used oil for recycling. You know, it might be a generation thing too, my Dad would never have considered paying someone else to change his oil.
And yes Lenny, I change out the oil in the lawn & garden stuff too.
And yes Lenny, I change out the oil in the lawn & garden stuff too.
I do, unless it's the dead of winter and I don't feel like crawling around under the truck on a cold frozen driveway (not near enough room in my garage and it isn't heated anyhow). Even when I don't do it myself, I won't take it to the quick change places -- the last time I went to one they forgot to put the oil filler cap back on. So if they can't get that right, what else are they going to do wrong? I'd rather do it myself and do it right or if not right, and least I didn't pay to have it done wrong.
I do that, too. And my generator. And my power washer. And my oil compressor. And, of course, the sleds.
my bro's a mechanic he changes my truck and wifes car.
having a family member that is a mechanic is the greatest. just the piece of mind knowing im not getting f$#^ in the you know what with a bogus fix.
i do change the lawn mower and snow blower at the end of every year. its so simple why not. just did the mower today.
having a family member that is a mechanic is the greatest. just the piece of mind knowing im not getting f$#^ in the you know what with a bogus fix.
i do change the lawn mower and snow blower at the end of every year. its so simple why not. just did the mower today.
I miss doing both my trucks oil & filter changes but huge problem disposing of oil & filters up here. Still change oil in mowers & tractor & have 1 bud in MI that burns oil for heat so save up for him but would be too much dirty oil sitting around to save dirty truck oil too.
u save oil from you mowers and autos and your friend heats his house with that?
I didn't think that was possible.
I didn't think that was possible.
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
Our car dealer sends us coupons for $15 synthetic oil changes. I cant do it myself for that. Besides, they know I can't resist that new car smell. I bought the last two cars while at the dealer using those blasted $15 oil change coupons.
The oil in all my power equipment gets changed whenever I get around to it. Thats why I'm hanging onto my two stroke sleds as long as I can.
The oil in all my power equipment gets changed whenever I get around to it. Thats why I'm hanging onto my two stroke sleds as long as I can.
misty_pines
Member
Yep, my bro-in-law heats his 3 bay garage with an oil burning heater which works great and is really clean burning. I still change the oil in all my vehicles and give him my used oil so it's a win-win situation and I don't feel so guilty when I bring my sled over to work on it in his heated shop!
EXCESSIVE FORCE
New member
Do my own services on: 1 Peterbilt, 1 Kenworth,3 Cummins powered pickups,New Holland skidsteer, 1 super Cub Cadet rider , S-10 Blazer (dubbed the "REDNECK RZR")..... MZEMS2 i'm not sure where you live,but I've got a couple 300gal totes i put the WO in if you want to get rid of some.....
groomerdriver
New member
Unless I'm injured or something, I change the oil in both of our vehicles as well as all of our lawn and garden equipment. Just changed the oil in our minivan today. Warmed up the garage a bit and got it done. We have a place in town to dispose old oil.....not really a hassle. Use synthetic oil in everything.
I still do all my own oil changes including the lawn mower. Even though I can have it done for cheaper than I can buy the stuff, I've worked in the business too long to know what kind of clowns work in the quick lube lane. Its worth the extra money for a little piece of mind.
I am also teaching my 16 year old to do it, and I make him pay for it himself. He is not really a gear head and doesn't have much interest, but I'll be damned if any kid of mine can't at least change his own oil or a tire!
I am also teaching my 16 year old to do it, and I make him pay for it himself. He is not really a gear head and doesn't have much interest, but I'll be damned if any kid of mine can't at least change his own oil or a tire!