Recent content by Fodeman

If any car dealer touts "free oil changes for life", that's an open invitation for them to point out all the deficiencies and hazards on the vehicle, and they WILL find some!

"Several quarts" remain in the engine? Seriously? You must be getting motor oil confused with transmission fluid.

Agreed. These big national companies have training programs to teach youngsters the way they want them to work, both by performing the work the most efficient (for them) way and also by encouraging them to sell accessories with a high profit margin.

A teaser will get you to come back 😆! Do you own or lease?

I'm not buying it. What you can't see can hurt your vehicle.

What's your opinion on quick oil change centers, such as Valvoline? I, for one, would never take my vehicles to a place that would suck the oil out of the crankcase through the dipstick, such as what Valvoline oil change centers do! IMO, good ain't quick and quick ain't good!

Thanks. What would be the best thing to flush out the tank with after removing it? I do have a half gallon of an older API rated oil that I wasn't going to use to refill with. That should be okay to use for a flush before refilling, don't you think?

I have a JD 717A zero turn, which uses 15W-40 engine oil for the hydraulics. Should the oil be warm or cool when changing the fluid and filter? Does it matter? Thanks

Thanks, all. After viewing all your replies, I'm sticking with the Deere filter. It retails at the Deere dealer for $13 and change, so it's not that outrageous. The manual says to change it once a season. (doesn't give any hour interval)

This is a ZTR mower with a motor oil filter and a filter for the hydraulic transaxle.

Thanks, everyone.

I've got a John Deere 717A Z-Trak and am looking for a compatible hydraulic filter to the Deere filter. They want over $13 for it at Deere. I was able to find a compatible motor oil filter (Purolater), but no such luck for the hydro. The Deere filter # is an AM131054. I've tried several filter...

I recently changed the transmission oil and filter on my PT Cruiser. I obtained the filter kit from NAPA, so while I was there, I bought what they had as far as the fluid goes which was Valvoline ATF+4 @ 5.40/qt. Is there any other retailer that carries Valvoline at a better price? I've looked a...

I have a John Deere 717A Z-Trak that specifies a 15W 40 synthetic blend oil, SG or better, for the hydraulic oil. Other than Amsoil or the Deere oil, is there any other compatible oil readily available at the store?