Just as well pay for an oil change any more :(
- Thread starter Mark72
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Wait for oil sales then buy enough for a year or 2 of changes....
check your local autozone atm for SM formulation sales then wipe them out
check your local autozone atm for SM formulation sales then wipe them out
Not I said hokiefyd. Even if it cost me more, I'd still do it myself. Not only do I get to use what I like, and know it's done right, I also get the chance to lay down there and check tie rod ends, CV boots, etc. Plus, I can do it all quicker in the comfort of my garage than a garage could do it for me. On top of all that, I get some sort of personal satisfaction of maintaining our vehicles.
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
Almost every time I've taken one of my cars in for a oil change at your local ____-lube, they screwed something up. I won't take my cars there any more...
5% increase in wholesale price would make you jump ship? I'm starting to doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
So it might cost you $2.50 more (5% increase on $50 base) for the oil if the price increase was passed on to you entirely... and you'd rather spend $7 to have a knuckle dragging 'lube tech' do it for you?
Your $7 would equate to a 14% increase in price given the $50 base figure... and most people on BITOG are quite vocal about being miserly penny pinchers when it comes to buying oil.
Just buy several OCIs worth when it's on sale. AZ/AAP/NAPA/CSKO frequently have a 'X quarts and a Y filter for $Z' sale that's very cost effective. Closeouts are also good, as are the frequent sales at Costco or Sam's Club. Big Lots currently has some QS synthetic for $4/quart, which is a good price.
I cleaned out my local Autozone of ~10 gallons of Mobil 1 TDT when it went on sale for $4/quart (currently $9+/quart!). I got several quarts of old CI-4 up through brand new CJ-4 as they kept the price for more than a month and other local franchises would price match. Keep your eye out and you can always do better than retail price.
Recently also found 15 half-liter bottles of Gold Eagle diesel fuel treatment at my local O'Reilly for 7¢ each. I don't know how effective they are at their typical performance claims (cetane boost, cleans injectors, etc...) but at less than a tenth the cost of the diesel fuel they displace I bought every last one they had.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
Off topic, but I bought my tires from Costco and I only let them do rotations. While I enjoy most automotive repair work I really despise rotating tires and I'm more than happy to drop off my keys, go about my shopping and come back to my car with its tires rotated & lugs torqued by hand. Good value in my opinion.
Your $7 would equate to a 14% increase in price given the $50 base figure... and most people on BITOG are quite vocal about being miserly penny pinchers when it comes to buying oil.
Just buy several OCIs worth when it's on sale. AZ/AAP/NAPA/CSKO frequently have a 'X quarts and a Y filter for $Z' sale that's very cost effective. Closeouts are also good, as are the frequent sales at Costco or Sam's Club. Big Lots currently has some QS synthetic for $4/quart, which is a good price.
I cleaned out my local Autozone of ~10 gallons of Mobil 1 TDT when it went on sale for $4/quart (currently $9+/quart!). I got several quarts of old CI-4 up through brand new CJ-4 as they kept the price for more than a month and other local franchises would price match. Keep your eye out and you can always do better than retail price.
Recently also found 15 half-liter bottles of Gold Eagle diesel fuel treatment at my local O'Reilly for 7¢ each. I don't know how effective they are at their typical performance claims (cetane boost, cleans injectors, etc...) but at less than a tenth the cost of the diesel fuel they displace I bought every last one they had.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
Off topic, but I bought my tires from Costco and I only let them do rotations. While I enjoy most automotive repair work I really despise rotating tires and I'm more than happy to drop off my keys, go about my shopping and come back to my car with its tires rotated & lugs torqued by hand. Good value in my opinion.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Not I said hokiefyd. Even if it cost me more, I'd still do it myself. Not only do I get to use what I like, and know it's done right, I also get the chance to lay down there and check tie rod ends, CV boots, etc. Plus, I can do it all quicker in the comfort of my garage than a garage could do it for me. On top of all that, I get some sort of personal satisfaction of maintaining our vehicles.
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
+1
If you want it done right, do it yourself.
Not I said hokiefyd. Even if it cost me more, I'd still do it myself. Not only do I get to use what I like, and know it's done right, I also get the chance to lay down there and check tie rod ends, CV boots, etc. Plus, I can do it all quicker in the comfort of my garage than a garage could do it for me. On top of all that, I get some sort of personal satisfaction of maintaining our vehicles.
I do the same with tires; even though I buy tires from Sam's and get free rotations, I almost always rotate them myself.
+1
If you want it done right, do it yourself.
Originally Posted By: Mark72
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article002192631.cfm?x=b11,0,w
I almost to the point I'd rather just pay an additional 7 dollars and have the oil changed for me.
Yeah, I just got a "deal" on pennzoil synth for $5.50/quart at Canadian tire... But a castrol syntec change in their service dept is $60 plus tax and whatever fees they can dream up. So for a winter synthetic change, I guess I save $30/car doing it myself.
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article002192631.cfm?x=b11,0,w
I almost to the point I'd rather just pay an additional 7 dollars and have the oil changed for me.
Yeah, I just got a "deal" on pennzoil synth for $5.50/quart at Canadian tire... But a castrol syntec change in their service dept is $60 plus tax and whatever fees they can dream up. So for a winter synthetic change, I guess I save $30/car doing it myself.
For people that use DINO oil its real close but for those that are using "Synthetic" it's still a bargain DIYing it.
I'd much rather do it myself for my vehicle, neighbors and family. At least I know what oil is going into the sump and what kind of filter is going on the vehicle. It's always a "Mystery" with the type of oil and filter used at the quick lube places. Who knows for sure what kind of bulk oil that they use....whats stated on paper does not show if it is SN, SM or SA....you may not always get what you think you are paying for at the quick lube place.
Changing my own oil is recreational. I find it therapeutic to do minor maintenance on my truck on a nice Saturday afternoon, every 6 months or so. I enjoy it the same way I like to keep my truck clean, kind of like a fire engine. I'm that way with everything, weedeaters, lawnmower, etc. So motor oil prices are no big deal; I spend several orders of mangnitude more on cable or eating out.
JHZR2
Staff member
It is an enjoyable task because on a known car, there generally is nothing to go wrong and it is a chance to see your car. It isnt that tough, and even older folks can do it (good to get on the ground to stay sprite). Its also a good indicator of obesity (can't get under the car?).
I haven't found anywhere offing a full synthetic oil change under $55 so I'm still saving $30+ using factory oil filters in my car. I also find an oil change to be relaxing and enjoy working on the car on a weekend morning.
I have changed oil on the SUV but it typically goes to the dealer for oil change since the wife drives it and works near dealer. they use Valvoline and Nissan filters and rotate the tires for around $30. The truck takes 5.5qts and I would have to buy a new jack to rotate the tires. I am happy to let the dealer handle her service as I have enough projects but I always check their work when she gets home.
I have changed oil on the SUV but it typically goes to the dealer for oil change since the wife drives it and works near dealer. they use Valvoline and Nissan filters and rotate the tires for around $30. The truck takes 5.5qts and I would have to buy a new jack to rotate the tires. I am happy to let the dealer handle her service as I have enough projects but I always check their work when she gets home.
One must remember that the price of motor oil is going up for everyone, even the cheapo lube shops. So, you can expect them to raise their prices too.
I usually do my own but if I don't feel like it the neighbourhood garage a block and a half away does it for $10:00 and I furnish the oil & filter of my choice. He greases and checks avery thing.
OP, have you read the $5 oil change thread yet? Just saying it's a good rundown of all the great deals that are out there, if one is willing to spend a few minutes looking for them. 
Originally Posted By: Brenden
Wait for oil sales then buy enough for a year or 2 of changes....
check your local autozone atm for SM formulation sales then wipe them out
Makes it a little harder when you have a vehicle under warranty and might need to prove timely and documentable oil changes however.
Wait for oil sales then buy enough for a year or 2 of changes....
check your local autozone atm for SM formulation sales then wipe them out
Makes it a little harder when you have a vehicle under warranty and might need to prove timely and documentable oil changes however.
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