I heard this one once: I decided to change the oil myself, it was about 3000 miles overdue. It takes 4.5 qts of oil but I was shocked to see only 2 qts drain out.. LOL people doing 8000 mile OCI's and it never even occurs to them to check the dip stick - ever.
Ask someone the last time they checked the oil and
- Thread starter johnachak
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Don't blame the kids - blame the parents!
When you get your first car (hopefully you will be paying for it or repaying your parents) at 15 or 16 - you should learn how to do simple maintenance and check the fluids at a minimum. When a car is given to you along with a 'gas-card', you are way less likely to care about the economy of maintenance.
I would take my car in for oil changes when I was 16-17, until I was watching my friend work on his project VW baja bug and realized I could start changing my own oil and then it all went on from there. I cringe at the thought of paying someone to work on my vehicles now.
When you get your first car (hopefully you will be paying for it or repaying your parents) at 15 or 16 - you should learn how to do simple maintenance and check the fluids at a minimum. When a car is given to you along with a 'gas-card', you are way less likely to care about the economy of maintenance.
I would take my car in for oil changes when I was 16-17, until I was watching my friend work on his project VW baja bug and realized I could start changing my own oil and then it all went on from there. I cringe at the thought of paying someone to work on my vehicles now.
Originally Posted By: Unleashedbeast
On another note,
Why is it that auto manufacturers LIE about the lifetime fill in a transmission or transfer case? My girlfriends transfer case was called a "lifetime fill". That is a lie. At 115,000 miles, it started popping on cold days. I changed the oil, less than 300 mL were removed with two gear teeth on the magnetic plug. I refilled it with Amsoil Severe Gear. To this day (2 years later) it's still going strong with no popping again.
Thanks for the lie Jaguar!
Not really a lie, but semantics.
They said it was a lifetime fluid, referring to the lifetime of the component. The "lifetime" on this transfer case was something less than 115,000 miles.
On another note,
Why is it that auto manufacturers LIE about the lifetime fill in a transmission or transfer case? My girlfriends transfer case was called a "lifetime fill". That is a lie. At 115,000 miles, it started popping on cold days. I changed the oil, less than 300 mL were removed with two gear teeth on the magnetic plug. I refilled it with Amsoil Severe Gear. To this day (2 years later) it's still going strong with no popping again.
Thanks for the lie Jaguar!
Not really a lie, but semantics.
They said it was a lifetime fluid, referring to the lifetime of the component. The "lifetime" on this transfer case was something less than 115,000 miles.
Not enough young people like classics. A restored classic or complete original functioning daily driver is just as much a status symbol as a lexus or mercedes. I don't think anyone notices a new silver sedan as fast as a muscle car, old cadillac, f100, etc. With something old that you put work into even if it doesn't leak or burn oil you still check it because you don't trust it lol.
Originally Posted By: uart
I heard this one once: I decided to change the oil myself, it was about 3000 miles overdue. It takes 4.5 qts of oil but I was shocked to see only 2 qts drain out.. LOL people doing 8000 mile OCI's and it never even occurs to them to check the dip stick - ever.
LOL There was a guy here on the forum, who bought a fairly new car. A Malibu, I think. He faithfully followed the OLM and was quite flabbergasted to see how low the oil level was on those occasions when the OLM indicated it was time for an oil change. He was adamant the OLM was leading him and his engine down the road to ruin! No amount of convincing from others on the forum could convince him its still necessary to check the dipstick from time, yes, even with an OLM. He was adamant!
I heard this one once: I decided to change the oil myself, it was about 3000 miles overdue. It takes 4.5 qts of oil but I was shocked to see only 2 qts drain out.. LOL people doing 8000 mile OCI's and it never even occurs to them to check the dip stick - ever.
LOL There was a guy here on the forum, who bought a fairly new car. A Malibu, I think. He faithfully followed the OLM and was quite flabbergasted to see how low the oil level was on those occasions when the OLM indicated it was time for an oil change. He was adamant the OLM was leading him and his engine down the road to ruin! No amount of convincing from others on the forum could convince him its still necessary to check the dipstick from time, yes, even with an OLM. He was adamant!
I am reminded of the morning I passed a late-model Dodge Durango which was pulled over and blocking the entrance drive into the parking lot of a little strip mall. An hour or so later, I drove by again, this time on my way back to the office, and having a few moments to kill decided to pull into the strip mall and get myself a diet Coke. The Durango was still there in the same spot, except now its hood was open and it was surrounded by three high-school-age girls (there is a high school right down the road from here). Three bottles of motor oil were sitting on the Durango's battery and intake plenum, as the fourth was being cautiously poured into the engine by one of the girls. Judging by the generic brown plastic containers, the oil probaly came from the quickie-mart in the strip mall (for about $8 a quart). I wanted to be the fly on the wall that evening when the girl told her parents she blew up the Durango's engine.
I change according to the OLM. I check the level once a week in my driveway after completing my outdoor chores. It is my beer time. I can tell you when the latest maintenance for any item on my car was performed, with what, and by whom. Mostly by memory but I also keep binders. It boggles the mind that folks will spend 30 or 40K on a vehicle and basically forget to do anything but drive it. It also speaks volumes about the quality of newer cars. That so many can perform so well for so long while being so neglected. I would hate to be an auto engineer knowing I have to engineer these things to be driven and cared for by the lowest common denominator of licensed drivers.
I agree that much apathy stems from being given too much. Previous generations want their kids to have more than they did and they take pride in being able to give their children and grand children nice things. The fact is that no matter how inherently good the person, no matter how grounded and responsible a young man or women is, it is human nature to have greater respect for the things that cost us something. I also bought my first car and learned to care for it and keep it running well with my father. I watched my friends buzz around in new cars. I watched them wreck them and abuse them.
It teaches you so much that it is tough to quantify. It goes way beyond just working for what you want. At least it did for me. It is self-reliance, common sense, frugality, etc. I learned tons! My first car was the best $1200.00 I ever spent; even if it was the worst car I ever owned.
I agree that much apathy stems from being given too much. Previous generations want their kids to have more than they did and they take pride in being able to give their children and grand children nice things. The fact is that no matter how inherently good the person, no matter how grounded and responsible a young man or women is, it is human nature to have greater respect for the things that cost us something. I also bought my first car and learned to care for it and keep it running well with my father. I watched my friends buzz around in new cars. I watched them wreck them and abuse them.
It teaches you so much that it is tough to quantify. It goes way beyond just working for what you want. At least it did for me. It is self-reliance, common sense, frugality, etc. I learned tons! My first car was the best $1200.00 I ever spent; even if it was the worst car I ever owned.
When I was about 10 years old, one morning my dad was in a rush to get to work and he asked me to run out to the carport and put some oil in the family car--a '59 Chevy Biscayne with the straight 6 engine. I kept popping quart after quart into the filler hole until I had used many, many cans until I didn't have any left. I went back in the house and told my dad I had used all the oil and he almost popped his lid. I thought you were supposed to fill up until oil was coming out top of valve cover hole! I learned to never do that again.
Cars today are so reliable and require so little maintenance that people have become unacustomed to checking anything on a routine basis.
The car will rarely see the local gas station mechnaic who would check everything, and those guys are gone now anyway, since modern reliability and long maintenance intervals have rendered them superfluous.
Most cars of the past twnety years use so little oil between changes that checking it becomes redundant for many people.
People respond to the tools they're given.
Give them a really reliable tool, and they'll neglect it, since it needs so little attention for 150K or so.
Those who care are here as well as on other enthusiast sites.
The car will rarely see the local gas station mechnaic who would check everything, and those guys are gone now anyway, since modern reliability and long maintenance intervals have rendered them superfluous.
Most cars of the past twnety years use so little oil between changes that checking it becomes redundant for many people.
People respond to the tools they're given.
Give them a really reliable tool, and they'll neglect it, since it needs so little attention for 150K or so.
Those who care are here as well as on other enthusiast sites.
This thread reminds me... my effy is due for an oil/filter change in 300 miles.
Originally Posted By: cmorr
Last winter I was filling up the fuel tanks in my truck and used the opportunity (nice clean snow and slush free covered pump area) to check the air in my tires. I had a guy at the next row of pumps ask me why I didn't check the pressure during the summer when it was nice and warm. I smiled and thanked him for the suggestion and watched him drive off with his right rear tire noticeably low
NICE!
Last winter I was filling up the fuel tanks in my truck and used the opportunity (nice clean snow and slush free covered pump area) to check the air in my tires. I had a guy at the next row of pumps ask me why I didn't check the pressure during the summer when it was nice and warm. I smiled and thanked him for the suggestion and watched him drive off with his right rear tire noticeably low
NICE!
Originally Posted By: FusilliJerry82
I currently work at a national parts chain.
I'm amazed on a daily basis how completely clueless and helpless people are when it comes to cars. People depend on this machine to take them tens or hundreds of miles a day and have no idea the most basic concept of how it or its systems work.
I get embarrassed for grown men who need to have me put on wiper blades because they can't figure it out. They're always amazed when it takes literally 5 seconds per blade excepting non j-hook or gm hookups.
The whole "do it for me" attitude is so pervasive that a surprising amount of people get upset when I say I won't install a bulb or a fuse or check their oil for them for free.
When I worked for O'Reilly and someone that was perfectly capable wanted their oil checked or added, they got what I supported. Which was normally PP or Valvoline NG depending on the type of car.
Ignorance should be painful or costly. If I tried to educate you but "You'd rather have me do it" while your on the phone, then you got an involuntary upsell.
The wiper blades were tricky on the new GM's when they came out though in some people's defense. But after a few it was just as easy as the J Hooks.
I currently work at a national parts chain.
I'm amazed on a daily basis how completely clueless and helpless people are when it comes to cars. People depend on this machine to take them tens or hundreds of miles a day and have no idea the most basic concept of how it or its systems work.
I get embarrassed for grown men who need to have me put on wiper blades because they can't figure it out. They're always amazed when it takes literally 5 seconds per blade excepting non j-hook or gm hookups.
The whole "do it for me" attitude is so pervasive that a surprising amount of people get upset when I say I won't install a bulb or a fuse or check their oil for them for free.
When I worked for O'Reilly and someone that was perfectly capable wanted their oil checked or added, they got what I supported. Which was normally PP or Valvoline NG depending on the type of car.
Ignorance should be painful or costly. If I tried to educate you but "You'd rather have me do it" while your on the phone, then you got an involuntary upsell.
The wiper blades were tricky on the new GM's when they came out though in some people's defense. But after a few it was just as easy as the J Hooks.
It is not that people aren't taught how to take care of things. The majority of these people have been raised to not care about learning and are, therefore, reliant on others, hence their misfortune when they get a $3,000 repair bill on something they could have prevented had they followed maintenance schedules.
Agree 100%. I love working on my cars and I have a special connection to my car because of it. I really enjoy even rotating tires on jacks because I worry so much when I turn my car over to a repair facility instead of completing the work myself.
Originally Posted By: njohnson
I grew up watching our dad change the oil in our cars, and whatever other maintenance was needed, air filters, spark plugs, brake pads and drums. When I was fifteen, I started taking over the maintenance of our vehicles. I began with oil changes, and as time went by, I started doing more and more, changing the coolant, gear lubes, transmission fluids, power steering fluids, and flushing the brake lines to have fresh brake fluid in the systems.
I did/do all that, not just to make our vehicles last longer, but I found myself enjoying working on the cars. I still look at myself as being young (barely thirty) but I'm thankful I know how to do the maintenance like I do.
It's kind of sad to see and hear about people who don't know about cars and how to take care of them. It's kind of sad because it ends up hurting them more in the long run.
Originally Posted By: njohnson
I grew up watching our dad change the oil in our cars, and whatever other maintenance was needed, air filters, spark plugs, brake pads and drums. When I was fifteen, I started taking over the maintenance of our vehicles. I began with oil changes, and as time went by, I started doing more and more, changing the coolant, gear lubes, transmission fluids, power steering fluids, and flushing the brake lines to have fresh brake fluid in the systems.
I did/do all that, not just to make our vehicles last longer, but I found myself enjoying working on the cars. I still look at myself as being young (barely thirty) but I'm thankful I know how to do the maintenance like I do.
It's kind of sad to see and hear about people who don't know about cars and how to take care of them. It's kind of sad because it ends up hurting them more in the long run.
Originally Posted By: johnachak
Last time you checked your oil and they say either:
Its at 50 something percent
Or
I had it changed about 2 months ago...
What is it with people nowadays? Especially many of the younger ones. I had to show my daughters 23 year old boyfriend how to add windshield washer fluid.
Not everyone has fathers or father figures to show them what to do. Growing up I didn't know much about vehicles other than where to put the gas. Anything under the hood was completely foreign to me until I was about 19 or 20. I bought a used vehicle that had all sorts of problems so I was topping up and adding things like MMO to the gas tank. That got me curious about my nicer vehicle, so I began checking fluids on it. I filled windshield washer fluid for the first time and found it was pretty easy. After that I was checking and adding coolant, checking the color of the oil on my dipstick, and paying more attention to the overall running conditions of my vehicles.
I could have cared less to be honest...and it wasn't until about 3 years ago that I actually tried a DIY oil change. I learned that I can save so much money by doing it myself, and I'm gradually learning the 'other' maintenance things that need to be done such as Power Steering, Brake Fluid, ATF, etc.
Still don't know how to properly change and torque a tire... call me silly but I never grew up around that stuff so you can't blame me. It's like hunting without knowing how to use a gun - better off letting somebody show you before you do it yourself.
Oh and I was never really taught to hunt, either... definitely not a man's man - but I'm a ladies man because I can write music for any girl, especially my wife
Last time you checked your oil and they say either:
Its at 50 something percent
Or
I had it changed about 2 months ago...
What is it with people nowadays? Especially many of the younger ones. I had to show my daughters 23 year old boyfriend how to add windshield washer fluid.
Not everyone has fathers or father figures to show them what to do. Growing up I didn't know much about vehicles other than where to put the gas. Anything under the hood was completely foreign to me until I was about 19 or 20. I bought a used vehicle that had all sorts of problems so I was topping up and adding things like MMO to the gas tank. That got me curious about my nicer vehicle, so I began checking fluids on it. I filled windshield washer fluid for the first time and found it was pretty easy. After that I was checking and adding coolant, checking the color of the oil on my dipstick, and paying more attention to the overall running conditions of my vehicles.
I could have cared less to be honest...and it wasn't until about 3 years ago that I actually tried a DIY oil change. I learned that I can save so much money by doing it myself, and I'm gradually learning the 'other' maintenance things that need to be done such as Power Steering, Brake Fluid, ATF, etc.
Still don't know how to properly change and torque a tire... call me silly but I never grew up around that stuff so you can't blame me. It's like hunting without knowing how to use a gun - better off letting somebody show you before you do it yourself.
Oh and I was never really taught to hunt, either... definitely not a man's man - but I'm a ladies man because I can write music for any girl, especially my wife
Originally Posted By: apwillard1986
. . . I agree that much apathy stems from being given too much. Previous generations want their kids to have more than they did and they take pride in being able to give their children and grand children nice things. The fact is that no matter how inherently good the person, no matter how grounded and responsible a young man or women is, it is human nature to have greater respect for the things that cost us something. I also bought my first car and learned to care for it and keep it running well with my father. . . .
My father was an accountant who brought his cars to local garages to have things done to his cars, so he wouldn't have been able to teach me much about mechanicals even if we'd had a place to do it.
Unlike the common run of young humans, however, had I been given a car when I was 16, I'd have learned to take care of it and keep it running. I was so sick of cadging rides from long-suffering friends and of riding buses (gack!) that I'd have treated a battered 1960 Chevy as though it were a Mercedes. If these over-privileged kids had to ride a bus to school for a month, they'd learn, too.
. . . I agree that much apathy stems from being given too much. Previous generations want their kids to have more than they did and they take pride in being able to give their children and grand children nice things. The fact is that no matter how inherently good the person, no matter how grounded and responsible a young man or women is, it is human nature to have greater respect for the things that cost us something. I also bought my first car and learned to care for it and keep it running well with my father. . . .
My father was an accountant who brought his cars to local garages to have things done to his cars, so he wouldn't have been able to teach me much about mechanicals even if we'd had a place to do it.
Unlike the common run of young humans, however, had I been given a car when I was 16, I'd have learned to take care of it and keep it running. I was so sick of cadging rides from long-suffering friends and of riding buses (gack!) that I'd have treated a battered 1960 Chevy as though it were a Mercedes. If these over-privileged kids had to ride a bus to school for a month, they'd learn, too.
I remember this one day a lady brought in her mid 2000s E class sedan looking to have her brakes checked. After getting her all checked in, I went out to the vehicle to bring it into the shop. What flashes up at me in typical MB fashion? The FSS counter! What does it say? -26500! As in...not oil changed 26,500 miles ago. No..oil DUE 26,500 miles ago. Meaning oil was CHANGED 36,500 miles prior to this date in time...lord knows how many YEARS that was.
I get it into the shop thinking, huh...sounds ok..maybe she takes it somewhere to get her oil changed that doesn't know how to reset the MB FSS! Pop the hood, take off the oil cap first. Oh. Maybe...this oil has been here for a while. Pull the dipstick. Oh..its amazingly FULL...but filled with TAR. I'm talking GREASE. Heck, evaporated, charred grease.
Well of COURSE when I brought this issue up, she immediately got very defensive about the issue, asking why I'm being nosy, so forth. Once I got through that stage, we eventually arrived at the conclusion that she didn't know oil had to be changed 'so frequently', and that she never paid the FSS screen any mind.
When we removed the drain plug...it actually took a moment for anything to come out...and once anything did come out, it was like tapping a maple tree for syrup.
I wish I had pictures of the filter...that had clumps on it.
Anyways. When I used to own slightly older vehicles, I would always make it a solid habit to pop the hood regularly, checking all the fluids. With my Ford, I've popped the hood more than 5 times and less than 10, most of those times were to add washer fluid and do nothing else.
I got the car at 35k last year. I'm continuing the tradition of driving the [censored] out of it, currently with 56k miles after only 8 months of ownership. I changed the oil right after I got it around 37k, filling it with SynPower at my workplace, and following the oil life monitor down to 5%, changed it again at 48k in Oct 2012. It's now at 15%...due for a change.
I'm thinking Amsoil this time around. But shoot, if Ford's calculations say 10,000 miles are acceptable on regular oil, and AMSOIL is only good for 25,000 miles, then regular oil would be approximately 0.001 cents/mile cheaper than AMSOIL and 0.0025 cents/mile cheaper than store bought synthetic.
Since the Duratec 3.0 has a typical life of only 200k miles...I sort of want to see if that can be extended reasonably with synthetic oils and other proper maintenance. I'm just used to the GM 3800 that, with proper maintenance, unabused, has a nearly unlimited lifespan.
I get it into the shop thinking, huh...sounds ok..maybe she takes it somewhere to get her oil changed that doesn't know how to reset the MB FSS! Pop the hood, take off the oil cap first. Oh. Maybe...this oil has been here for a while. Pull the dipstick. Oh..its amazingly FULL...but filled with TAR. I'm talking GREASE. Heck, evaporated, charred grease.
Well of COURSE when I brought this issue up, she immediately got very defensive about the issue, asking why I'm being nosy, so forth. Once I got through that stage, we eventually arrived at the conclusion that she didn't know oil had to be changed 'so frequently', and that she never paid the FSS screen any mind.
When we removed the drain plug...it actually took a moment for anything to come out...and once anything did come out, it was like tapping a maple tree for syrup.
I wish I had pictures of the filter...that had clumps on it.
Anyways. When I used to own slightly older vehicles, I would always make it a solid habit to pop the hood regularly, checking all the fluids. With my Ford, I've popped the hood more than 5 times and less than 10, most of those times were to add washer fluid and do nothing else.
I got the car at 35k last year. I'm continuing the tradition of driving the [censored] out of it, currently with 56k miles after only 8 months of ownership. I changed the oil right after I got it around 37k, filling it with SynPower at my workplace, and following the oil life monitor down to 5%, changed it again at 48k in Oct 2012. It's now at 15%...due for a change.
I'm thinking Amsoil this time around. But shoot, if Ford's calculations say 10,000 miles are acceptable on regular oil, and AMSOIL is only good for 25,000 miles, then regular oil would be approximately 0.001 cents/mile cheaper than AMSOIL and 0.0025 cents/mile cheaper than store bought synthetic.
Since the Duratec 3.0 has a typical life of only 200k miles...I sort of want to see if that can be extended reasonably with synthetic oils and other proper maintenance. I'm just used to the GM 3800 that, with proper maintenance, unabused, has a nearly unlimited lifespan.
Originally Posted By: Jocephus
I always check when I'm buying gas, and I've had people come up to me asking if I need any help because they saw I had the hood up.
I've had people approach me too, this is why I never check oil at gas stations anymore. I do it at home... in the garage... with the door closed, so the neighbors won't come over and ask whats wrong?
I always check when I'm buying gas, and I've had people come up to me asking if I need any help because they saw I had the hood up.
I've had people approach me too, this is why I never check oil at gas stations anymore. I do it at home... in the garage... with the door closed, so the neighbors won't come over and ask whats wrong?
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