Vehicle Oil changes

[2manyrocks]

At $174 per oil change, I start thinking one of those garage lifts would be a better investment long term, especially considering that the oil change place could strip your oil drain threads.

 

[Paystar]

Here is an example why I can't trust anyone else to maintain my vehicles...Brother in law stops over to borrow a tool. I say hey it's September let me test your antifreeze while you're here. He says just had it at dealer for oil change. I grab my tester and his reservoir is so low I can barely get a sample. Added 1/2 gallon of correct red premix to it and inspected for leaks but found none. How is it possible to charge $70 for an oil change and not glance at clear reservoir right next to oil fill much less test for winter protection.

I had an oil change done at the Ford dealer in Wawa, ON. I got home, checked the oil on same floor I always check it where I park it and I was low. Had to buy two litres of oil. I called them and said, I'm not asking for anything, but maybe check your measuring equipment.
They got defensive and kinda ignorant about it, so I gave them a bad review when Ford emails you those satisfaction survey's.
Then all of a sudden they were calling offering a free oil change. I told them to keep it.

Also had the VW dealer put the hoiist through the floor of my wife's Jetta while in for an oil change. Then they tried to say she ran something over. You can see those pics of you google Northside VW Sault Ste. Marie and look at reviews.

 

[WinterDeere]

Pretty much since forever, I've always done my own oil changes in vehicles; except of coarse work vehicles. Wife got a 2019 Charger RT a while back, and it won't go on ramps, and Way to low to crawl under, so I've had my son run it up to the non-chain tire/lube place I take work car. It's always been expensive (IMO) at $120; but ok. Today, wife is Way over, no time to run it to the other place, 45 min away; so I steal it at lunch and run it to one of those, 5 minute, stay in your car, chain places. Da'Yum, $174, for basic synthetic, basic filter, and a $35 cabin air filter. Is it just me, or is that ridiculous. The $120 place; they atleast vacuum the car, and leave you a mint with a Bible verse on it; and I'm up there every 7500 miles with the work car. They are a but out od the way, and not that fast, but.....

Late to the thread, but I have the SRT Charger, with the even lower and longer chin spoiler... it doesn't love ramps, or even most intersections, it's often rubbing the pavement.

Anyway, I built wood extensions onto my steel ramps for my wife's R-design car, and those kinda worked for the SRT as well. Eventually though, I just bought some long (72" I think) Race Ramps, as they're so much nicer than old steel ramps. They're lightweight foam, 14" wide, so they stow perfectly between ceiling joists mounted 16" OC. They also take the wide tires of the SRT way better than any old steel ramps. Most importantly, being two-piece, you can pull away the lower half of the ramp after the car is up on them. This makes working on anything farther back much easier, with better access from the side.

I still do all of my own fluid changes on all of our vehicles and OPE. I don't care so much about the cost, but I don't have all day to waste driving to an oil change place and then waiting, times a half-dozen cars and machines every few months.

 

[paulsharvey]

Looks like these from Vevor are relatively affordable, as long as you have a hydralic source already, and don't need to buy the AC hydro pump for the lift ramps too

Edit; I have been mostly happy with Vevor, but you Really need to triple and quadruple check the description, name, pictures, to confirm. Description says it comes with a 120v AC hydro pump, one picture shows it, one shows it as an accessory... I went through this with the 7x14 Lathe; you could have 8 separate items that appear identical, with major price difference, and the description didn't help, but when you zoomed in, you could see one had metal change gear, another had polymer, one came with cutting tools, another didn't, ect

 

[azbinder]

Late wife had a 2006 Jeep Commander. Took it in for service a the local quick change. Told them wanted Rotella T 10-40. Said NO, can't do that. Book does not call for it. Told them to use it anyway. Still no. Left and took it to the Dodge/Jeep dealer a mile away. Asked if they would use the Rotella. Service manager said sure, no problem. I've used Rotella/Ursa in my gas engines since the late 60's.

 

[Williy]

IMHO you should never flush out your transmission if its an
older model as there might be some sludge and it could get
jamed into a part of transmission and cause damage that you have to have a new transmission. Just a known fact!

willy

 

[number two]

The best reason to do your own oil changes is that nobody cares about how your vehicle is serviced more than you!
Applies to other work as well.
Do all you can!
Good Luck!

 

[tbear640]

Pretty much since forever, I've always done my own oil changes in vehicles; except of coarse work vehicles. Wife got a 2019 Charger RT a while back, and it won't go on ramps, and Way to low to crawl under, so I've had my son run it up to the non-chain tire/lube place I take work car. It's always been expensive (IMO) at $120; but ok. Today, wife is Way over, no time to run it to the other place, 45 min away; so I steal it at lunch and run it to one of those, 5 minute, stay in your car, chain places. Da'Yum, $174, for basic synthetic, basic filter, and a $35 cabin air filter. Is it just me, or is that ridiculous. The $120 place; they atleast vacuum the car, and leave you a mint with a Bible verse on it; and I'm up there every 7500 miles with the work car. They are a but out od the way, and not that fast, but.....

Low profile Jack and Jack stands

 

[tbear640]

Actually that is cheap for an oil change.

Every time mine takes hers in, it costs $600.

A fool and his money are soon parted. $600 is extremely high for an oil change, does she go to the one with the free use of the cabana boy?

 

[EdGooding]

You can get ramps for low-clearance cars. I've had a set for years for my Corvette. Mine are in two sections for each side that can be disconnected for storage between uses. The lift is gradual so you can drive up on them without ripping up spoilers, etc.