Doing the math: BYOF vs Shop Fluids

[Clubber_Lang]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Shannow
I don't get people who claim that their time is worth money...unless they have to take a day off work to do something, then DIY really does cost.

If I can save $20 by doing something myself on a weekend or after work, that's $20 more (plus interest) for when I retire...


I don't get it as well. Even if I put a dollar amount on my time I'm still way ahead since I can do an oil change in about 20 minutes without wasting time to make an appointment and then waiting for an hour+ at the dealer or some smelly and dirty change lube shop. And I don’t have to worry about any screw ups.

Just the other weekend my dad came over to do an oil change on his Altima. Took us about 20 minutes and after that we enjoyed some coffee in the back yard. I'm pretty sure that it was a time better spent, even if there were no monetary savings, than waiting for an oil change while they bring to you your dirty looking air filter or AT dipstick or try to push other services.


+100
Changing oil is so easy, but many of the places you take your vehicle to will screw it up. They will often overfill the engine with oil, and overtighten the oil filter to such an extreme that on not 1 but 2 occasions after buying a used vehicle I've had no choice but to impale the filter with a screwdriver just to be able to get enough leverage to turn it off. (with extreme force) And yes, I had tried filter straps, filter pliyers and filter wrenches first.

The bottom line is that many (No not all!) of the "oil change specialists" at these shops are zero skill clowns getting locked up on the weekend for dope charges. You want someone like that playing around with your car? Its a free country (well sort of) so do what you want, but Oil Changes are a job you can do yourself with Way more attention and care. In the time it takes to drive to a "quick lube" McChange.

 

[telecat]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Shannow
I don't get people who claim that their time is worth money...unless they have to take a day off work to do something, then DIY really does cost.

If I can save $20 by doing something myself on a weekend or after work, that's $20 more (plus interest) for when I retire...


I don't get it as well. Even if I put a dollar amount on my time I'm still way ahead since I can do an oil change in about 20 minutes without wasting time to make an appointment and then waiting for an hour+ at the dealer or some smelly and dirty change lube shop. And I don’t have to worry about any screw ups.

Just the other weekend my dad came over to do an oil change on his Altima. Took us about 20 minutes and after that we enjoyed some coffee in the back yard. I'm pretty sure that it was a time better spent, even if there were no monetary savings, than waiting for an oil change while they bring to you your dirty looking air filter or AT dipstick or try to push other services.


I have those Fumoto quick-drain valves on both our vehicles ('98 S10 and '12 Fusion 4-cyl). I go drive long enough to get the oil up to operating temp (weekend errands, usually I drive to get the stuff for the oil change) and when I get home, I stick the bucket under the car, open the drain valve and go have lunch. By the time I'm done with lunch, the oil is drained out (takes longer with the Fumoto valve but it's a lot CLEANER because I can control the stream of oil better), I drop off the filter, fill up the new filter (for the Ford, a vertical installation), install the filter, put in the oil, fire it up, drive around the block, shut down, check for leaks, check other fluid levels and call it a day.

I recommend the Fumoto valves. Makes the job much less messy.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
I don't get people who claim that their time is worth money...unless they have to take a day off work to do something, then DIY really does cost.

Heck, by the time I'd get myself to an oil change place, explain what I want done and how I want it done and not to toy with air filters and other upsell items, I'd have the oil changed myself already.

 

[telecat]

Originally Posted By: Garak

Heck, by the time I'd get myself to an oil change place, explain what I want done and how I want it done and not to toy with air filters and other upsell items, I'd have the oil changed myself already.
I got hosed by those goobers one time. Never again.

 

[raytseng]

What about the situation where you already are dropping off the car at a shop for other service; and they say $15 and we'll change the oil for you labor only. or for $55 we'll change it with amsoil+amsoil filter.

That's the real question where you may take them up on the offer.

The hassles of scheduling,dropping off your car, are something you already are doing since you needed service anyway.

So, do you still have them do the service. Then come home and redo the oil change yourself?

Assume that it's a trustworthy shop (since you did your homework and picked them to begin with).

 

[Deamos]

Originally Posted By: raytseng
What about the situation where you already are dropping off the car at a shop for other service; and they say $15 and we'll change the oil for you labor only.

So, do you still have them do the service. Then come home and redo the oil change yourself?

Assume that it's a trustworthy shop (since you did your homework and picked them to begin with).



I did that today. Though I didn't have a filter to provide, they had no problems using the oil I brought and would have used my filter as well if I brought one.

Was due for a tire rotation that was free due to my buying a road hazard warranty when I got my tires at the beginning of the year.

Anyway, honest shop, they even have nice big windows so customers can see into the work area so you can easily see what's going on with your car.

Regardless I'd be paying someone to do it, I don't have a place I can change my oil, haven't had one for the last five years. Maybe in the next year or so I'll be in a place to start doing my own again, but who knows with how I've been moving around the last few years.