When you don't feel like DIY oil changes anymore

Thought it was funny got nail in my tire standing inline at a Walmart guy in line in front of wife and i was paying for a oil change and it was $65. Walking out for a coffee she turns to me asks me. Told her $25 oil with the rebate and a filter worst case $35.
 
While my vehicles are under warranty I let the Dealership do it . Various reasons . Once they are out of warranty I revert back to doing it myself . I do not take pleasure in crawling around under my car . I do it to save money . And I've never had a bad experience at the Dealer . I must be the only one .
 
rszappa1 said:
I am 71 and still do my own oil changes.....Getting underneath and draining it and take a look around for leaks....Plan on doing it till by body says no more....
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Eddie said:
I'm 87 and it takes both mental and physical energy but, I still do it. I have a challenged grandson 30 yo, that I might teach.
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Props to you gentleman!
I wish I can be that active at that age.
It also takes me both mental and physical energy and I'm in mid 40s.
 
nomas said:
While my vehicles are under warranty I let the Dealership do it . Various reasons . Once they are out of warranty I revert back to doing it myself . I do not take pleasure in crawling around under my car . I do it to save money . And I've never had a bad experience at the Dealer . I must be the only one .
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When we bought the Lexus RX450, the Putnam Lexus in Redwood City threw in the 1st few years free services; don't exactly remember.
I liked sitting in the waiting room, with free snacks and playing on my computer. But I was always a little leary of the techs due to what I've read. I also asked if they used bulk oil, even though I am not sure that's a bad thing. They told me they used Mobil 1. All good.
 
Patman said:
If I were a rich man I would have my own oil change pit beside my house 🤩
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When my son bought his house in the Oklahoma City metro area, he had one of these in ground storm shelters installed in his garage, which he uses when needing to get under his walk-behind mower. I can't say whether he's changing his own oil, but I doubt it. He's in the heart of tornado alley. The shelter is registered with the local emergency management services so they'll know to look there should the house collapse on it and they're unable to extricate themselves.

Not his shelter. Picture from internet:
Screenshot 2025-11-18 at 15.29.03.webp
 
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nomas said:
While my vehicles are under warranty I let the Dealership do it . Various reasons . Once they are out of warranty I revert back to doing it myself . I do not take pleasure in crawling around under my car . I do it to save money . And I've never had a bad experience at the Dealer . I must be the only one .
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My Honda dealership is owned by Penske. The only oil they use in the shop is Pennzoil Platinum. They don't even use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. I want to use a "better" oil, as I plan on keeping my vehicle for many years.
 
I could write a book called why to NOT use Quick Lube Oil places. I have some BAD stories...
The ONLY way to 100% get it right is DIY.

However, with age I am finding I have reason (s) I choose to not always do oil changes myself.
I do still do most to all of my Harley fluid changes but when it comes to cars and truck it all depends on who I trust?

If I can't do a oil change myself my local Ford dealer IS my best choice in the area I now live. He has a promo the last few years trying to build up is mobil Ford Service.

If I ask when scheduling my Ford dealer offers me 1/2 off the normal multi point oil service fee.
Included new Motorcraft Oil and filter, rotate my tires and inspect everything and if I also have Ford install new wiper blades ( I normally do ) I get out for around $100.

Best part is if I use the Ford Mobil Service the tech does the service in MY driveway and I can sit on my porch and drink my Ice Tea and can be sure to WATCH THE TECHS EVERY MOVE! I can say remember "DO NOT OVERFILL the OIL " and give a reminder ... Please remember to use the 10W-30 and NOT 5w30. and I can watch what oil and filter he uses!

I find the FORD mobil service, the next best thing to doing it myself! I make sure I DO NOT drive the guy nuts, I make sure I make a friend and he and I get along great and I always TIP!
 
Oillover said:
Recently I've been contemplating taking my daily into a quick lube for a change, simply because I don't feel like the hassle anymore.
I have an oil extractor, but the time to take everything out and clean up, just seems to be not worth it.

Reading Yelp reviews from a local "Mr.Lube" franchise in my area, is not only entertaining but enlightening and motivating!
While some negative reviews appear fake/malicious, others have grains of truth and humor to them.
https://www.yelp.ca/biz/mr-lube-north-vancouver?osq=mr+lube

🍻
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I'm approaching the big 90 and still trying to do what I have been doing for seventy years. I hate the thought of somebody else putting a wrench on my vehicle, but I know that day is coming. I need to check the caliper pins for grease. Hard to except that it has been five years since I rebuilt the calipers and replaced the hoses. Only eight thousand miles in five years, but I don't like to go that long without checking the pins and boots. Maybe Hosteen will manage it for one more time. Maybe Hosteen won't give a big rat's hiney this time next year. Entropy is going to settle this little conundrum sooner than later.
 
Patman said:
I can understand why a lot of older people don’t want to change oil anymore if they are doing it with ramps and have to crawl around on their backs under the car. That’s way more physically exhausting than if you were able to do that oil change standing up (if you have access to a hoist or an oil change pit)

If I were a rich man I would have my own oil change pit beside my house 🤩
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These have made it a lot easier...

https://hopkinsmfg.com/catalog/APCAT2025/#p=156

beats jacking vehicle up, jack stands, etc... just drive up and done. Still on your back but at least getting the car in the air is very quick and effortless. I got the 12k ones for a small SUV years ago at AutoZone.
 
Why do most seem to think it's either a Quick Lube or nothing?

Can no one find a one man indy to do it while you wait and watch? Schedule ahead of time and don't be overly obnoxious while he (or she) is working.

Tips to retain your good customer status:
1) DO NOT throw in extra stuff once you arrive ("could you just install this XYZ?").

2) If additional work is found (torn CV boot, brakes, sloppy u-joint etc) schedule a time to leave your vehicle. Do not ask to hang around for anything more extensive than an oil change.
 
I had a local Toyota dealer with a $20 oil change deal back in the day. Paid for multiple OCIs there. Those days are over unfortunately!
 
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Used to have a mom-and-pop gas station/inspection station/repair shop close to my house. They carried Amsoil. I'd buy the oil and filter and they did the service for the cost of the oil and filter plus $20 labor. While it was up in the air, I'd use this time to do a close inspection underneath. Great people, but the owner got very sick and it was sold. The location was a gold mine and it was razed. There's a Hyundai dealership where it once stood.

There's a mom-and-pop quick lube place relatively close by that carries a ton of Amsoil. If you want synthetic oil, Amsoil's what you'll get instead of a cheap "synthetic oil". There's always people in line waiting for their turn. Look for these types of mom-and-pop shops.

I'm still going to change my own as long as able to do so.
 
Yah-Tah-Hey said:
I'm approaching the big 90 and still trying to do what I have been doing for seventy years. I hate the thought of somebody else putting a wrench on my vehicle, but I know that day is coming. I need to check the caliper pins for grease. Hard to except that it has been five years since I rebuilt the calipers and replaced the hoses. Only eight thousand miles in five years, but I don't like to go that long without checking the pins and boots. Maybe Hosteen will manage it for one more time. Maybe Hosteen won't give a big rat's hiney this time next year. Entropy is going to settle this little conundrum sooner than later.
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Wow, impressive. Hope i can change my oil and do brakes when i'm 90!
 
I know the solution - put one under dealership care - It drives me crazy - not that I think they are a bad dealership - it’s just hard to face BITOG is the OCD life of maintenance like that 😵‍💫 …
(they didn’t put Pennzoil Platinum in) …
 
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