Poll: Do you change your own motor oil?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Poll: Do you change your own motor oil?

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:37:05 AM EDT

I changed the oil in my 2004 H-D Softail Deuce this morning, and I was wondering how many people change their own oil in their vehicles. Even though I know how to (it's not rocket surgery), I normally don't. With my Explorer, it isn't worth the time and effort, since oil and filters are fairly expensive, and you can take it to a quick oil change place. With my Harley, I normally take it to the dealership for its normal maintenance intervals. In this case, I didn't get to ride my Harley at all last year, so the oil didn't have much mileage on it since I serviced it in the fall of 2004, but it was obviously old. It wasn't worth the effort to take it to the Harley dealer just for an oil change, and wait around on a Saturday to get it done. So, I bought the oil and filter ($30) and did it myself instead of paying the dealer $50.

So, do you know how to change your own motor oil? If so, do you change it yourself, or is it not worth it? If you do, do you wait until the oil is on sale or buy it in bulk to make it worth your time and effort?

JDC

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:37:59 AM EDT

[#1]

In the summer i do,in the winter i let someone else do it.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:38:20 AM EDT

[#2]

ibtp

and i know how to do it, i'm just too lazy and get it done by someone else

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:38:28 AM EDT

[#3]

I don't do paint jobs or body work.

The rest, yes.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:38:32 AM EDT

[#4]

IBTP

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:40:47 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
In the summer i do,in the winter i let someone else do it.

Same here

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:41:37 AM EDT

[#6]

I prefer not to screw with the used oil or the mess and hassle when I can get it done cheaply by people with the equipment to do it quickly and properly dispose of the used oil.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:42:16 AM EDT

[#7]

I never did with my cars, but I do on my truck. It's pretty easy when you can just roll under on a creeper without having to jack it up or use ramps

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:42:18 AM EDT

[#8]

I do in my truck. I take my car in to have it changed.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:42:47 AM EDT

[#9]

I hate this chore, like I hate ironing. As soon as I can afford to, I'll pay others to do it.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:43:07 AM EDT

[#10]

Yes I do

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:45:39 AM EDT

[#11]

I change my own oil and if someone else does it I watch them like a hawk.
I know too many people that had botched oil changes from JiffyLube type shops.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:45:56 AM EDT

[#12]

4 vehicles, yes, 2 others, no. Just changed two this week.

Extended warranty thing on the nos.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:46:22 AM EDT

[#13]

You forgot " My oil never gets changed" 30,000 plus miles going here with no oil change. I just add a little bit every now and then. Same filter too.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:47:31 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I don't do paint jobs or body work.

The rest, yes.

Hey man, we need to do an exchange of labor! I have learned to do body work in the last couple years and its an art man. I have major respect for body men.

I change my own oil, for no reason other than I'm one of those "Well, I think I will change my oil right now." people. I like to do things right when it suits me because I'm constantly running. It doesn't save more than 3 or 4 bucks to buy the stuff and do it yourself. If I'm near a good oil change place, I will have them do it, but I won't drive out of my way to have someone else do it for me.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:48:16 AM EDT

[#15]

I do ALL the work on my vehicles and equipment.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:48:32 AM EDT

[#16]

Always change my own.

I also want to check and see what's going on on the underside of the vehicle.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:51:09 AM EDT

[#17]

I used to, but since I change everyone elses oil, I just ask one of the other techs in the shop do it for me. RHIP.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:51:11 AM EDT

[#18]

Takes 20-30 minutes to do it myself. Why spend money to drive the car over to the station and then wait for them to do it?

eta: your poll is broken, No, not that poll you pervert!

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:51:53 AM EDT

[#19]

Nope, not worth my time or dirt.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:52:47 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

eta: your poll is broken, No, not that poll you pervert!

Yeah, I noticed that. Anyone know how to fix it?

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:53:17 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Quoted:

eta: your poll is broken, No, not that poll you pervert!

Yeah, I noticed that. Anyone know how to fix it?

Magic

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:53:47 AM EDT

[#22]

Yes, just did 2 today. Poll is broked.

Danny

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:54:04 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
In the summer i do,in the winter i let someone else do it.

Yep. Thats my plan too.

Posted: 3/19/2006 11:56:29 AM EDT

[#24]

Nope, I'm too old and lazy to climb under my vehicles anymore.

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:01:30 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't do paint jobs or body work.

The rest, yes.

Hey man, we need to do an exchange of labor! I have learned to do body work in the last couple years and its an art man. I have major respect for body men.

I change my own oil, for no reason other than I'm one of those "Well, I think I will change my oil right now." people. I like to do things right when it suits me because I'm constantly running. It doesn't save more than 3 or 4 bucks to buy the stuff and do it yourself. If I'm near a good oil change place, I will have them do it, but I won't drive out of my way to have someone else do it for me.

I definatly have not the or patience or resources to learn how to do good body work. The rest, well hell its all about taking things apart, and putting it all back together again. I've got a truck thats a little abused, need some practice

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:08:23 PM EDT

[#26]

I know how. But I don't have a garage to work in. I live in an apartment. It's easier to just get it done at Jiffy Lube.

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:09:02 PM EDT

[#27]

After having a bad experience with a dealership oil change, I do my own. If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself. I only have to do it every 10k miles, so it's not a big deal.

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:09:27 PM EDT

[#28]

My truck is 10 years old and I am the only person to change the oil on her. I have 155k miles on her and change the oil twice a year.

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:11:57 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Nope, I'm too old and lazy to climb under my vehicles anymore.

You could try a top-side extractor like Pela or Tempo. Stick the tube in through the dipstick hole, pump a few times, and sit back and relax. Never have to get under the car.

Posted: 3/19/2006 12:16:20 PM EDT

[#30]

Hell no ...

That's why I have employees now

Of course over my 20+ years as an automotive tech . I've
probably done at least 10,000 myself . Including lots of
heavy equipment that take 30-40 gallons of oil with filters
the size of 5 gal buckets

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Poll: Do you change your own motor oil?

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