Those Who Don't Change Their Own Oil, Check In

[StevieC]

I have an SUV which is high enough off the ground I don't need a jack, I use one for easier access but I could do without.

I also installed a Fumoto valve so there is no plug to take out and the filter is at the front of the engine under an access hatch in the skid plate so it's super easy to do the drain / filter change.

All in all I could do a change in 15 minutes with drain time included.

I think all MFG's should make things this easy for stuff that needs to be done frequently, and if not I would take my money elsewhere by voting with my wallet.

No need for it to be a PITA experience IMO.

 

[fdcg27]

I don't lift any of our cars for changes, although the Subaru and the van are both really easy for oil changes.
The filters on the Accords are a medium pain, while the BMW has pretty limited ground clearance, and the engine is set well back in the car, making it the most painful, although still not really hard.
Part of the joy of life is problem solving, even with something as mundane and dirt-simple as changing the oil (and filter, always) in one's cars.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

Sometimes, I do it myself, but when I am pressed for time I go to the quicklane!

 

[yaris0128]

I got fed up with DIY changes when I made the mistake of using a FRAM filter and struggled getting it off. I still do DIY in a way, I take it to my brothers shop and he'll put the car up on the lift and do it professionally under the table. No work, no [censored] from a lube shop.

 

[Shuttler]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
99 Accord 126K, M1 EP 15W-50
97 Accord 168K, M1 EP 15W-50

What oil is that?

 

[fdcg27]

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50, of course.
Widely clearanced last spring, priced at next to notning.

 

[GMFan]

I've had my oil changed for me the last two times. Reason being was one time I needed two new tires so I had the tire shop do an oil change. They used Agip conventional dino and charged me $23.

Then I had to get a NYS inspection and I had a gas station do that and they put in Wolf's Head oil...for $24.99

The local sears by me uses Valvoline and charges $19.99 as well.

Also, we are painting the outside of our house so our garage is currently filled with stuff so I have no place to do oil changes. Our driveway is old and crumbly and not safe for jackstands.

I will probably change it myself next time around though. When I had the tire shop do my oil change, that was the first time my car had had the oil change by anyone except myself since I got it 3 years ago.

Random story: One of my coworkers the other day was telling me how his mom called him asking him how much a typical oil change cost because she felt like she got ripped off. She paid $59.99 for an oil change...synthetic blend! Talk about expensive...