New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

Hachiroku ãƒ�ãƒ�ãƒ*ク wrote:
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:20:23 -0700, John S. wrote:
>
>>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down my arm, I
>>> quickly learned the importance of safety goggles and latex gloves. I
>>> bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>> I don't know if performing an oil change at home (or at the garage) is
>> ever something that I would equate with pleasure.
>
> I think *maybe* he was being a bit sarcastic...
>
>> It certainly is a way to save some money.
>
> It costs me as much or more than Jiffy Lube, et al, but I know it's done
> correctly!

When you compare the cost to Jiffy Lube, do you include the things that
Jiffy Lube is going to mess up?

"larry moe 'n curly" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> mack wrote:
>
>> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
>> something
>> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
>> decide to collapse.
>
> That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> change the oil? I just reach underneath.


Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
car ever made?

On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:20:23 -0700 (PDT), "John S." >
wrote:
>On May 18, 2:44*pm, Built_Well > wrote:

>> Hi again, gang. *I hope everyone has been great.
>>
>> Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
>> again with my Toyota
>> friends.
>>
>> Only this time I have a surprise! *I did my first-ever oil change the
>> other day! *It was a
>> real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
>> participants in this newsgroup
>> for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
>> folks like
>> Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. *I also must not
>> forget to thank the
>> author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."
>>
>> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>>
>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
>> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
>> and latex gloves. *I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>
>I don't know if performing an oil change at home (or at the garage) is
>ever something that I would equate with pleasure. It certainly is a
>way to save some money. While under the car just be sure to take the
>time to look around at all of the other components for emerging
>problems.

It's a pain to do it yourself, but it's still cheaper and less
hassle overall to just do it and be done. Because you have to waste
more time to go down there and sit around and watch over them while
they do the work - which in my case is the only practical option.

With a Work Truck you lose at least two days of productive time
taking the truck in for service - because the repair shop is not
responsible for any lost or stolen vehicle contents. "Too Bad, So
Sad..." Read the contract. You have to unload it, then reload it.

I've tried leaving it partly loaded and telling them to "Keep
Vehicle Locked, Keep Keys Secured." And every single time I've
spot-checked, it wasn't done. The Mechanic is fanatical about the
security of his tools in his rollaway ("Touch them and you're DEAD!")
but could care less about your tools in your truck.

Your **** is Stuff, but other people's Stuff is ****.
- George Carlin

--<< Bruce >>--

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

> "larry moe 'n curly" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > mack wrote:
> >
> >> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
> >> something as minor as oil running down your arm if your
> >> jackstands or ramps ever decide to collapse.
> >
> > That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> > change the oil? I just reach underneath.
>
> Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
> car ever made?

My experience is limited to only about six different cars, all with
low ground clearance, but I was always able to change the oil without
raising the car, even back when I weighed 80 lbs. more than I do now
and wasn't nearly as flexible.



I was able to

Built_Well, 5/18/2008,2:44:18 PM, wrote:

>
> Hi again, gang. I hope everyone has been great.
>
> Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
> again with my Toyota
> friends.
>
> Only this time I have a surprise! I did my first-ever oil change the
> other day! It was a
> real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
> participants in this newsgroup
> for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
> folks like
> Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. I also must not
> forget to thank the
> author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."
>
> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>
> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)

Do yourself a favor and get some drive up ramps if you must lift the
front end of the vehicle. It takes a couple of times for you to get
used to setting them up right and driving onto them but you'll learn
the first time! Don't forget to block the back wheels also.

Changing your own oil not only saves money but it also saves time! I
can use the oil brand and oil filter of my own choice and still pay
less than half what a dealer or oil change place charges. From start
to finishing of cleanup I can be done in 30 minutes. Contrast that to
making appointments or having to wait your turn for the next available
spot. Once you learn to change the other fluids you have become a
regular grease monkey!

One other thing you might want to consider is an oil filter wrench like
I have. It is a spring-loaded self-adjusting steel claw that fits over
the top of any size oil filter. You use a ratchet and any length
extension. Say goodbye to skinned knuckles and burned hands.

On Mon, 19 May 2008 01:27:19 +0000, Jeff wrote:

> Hachiroku ãƒ�ãƒ�ãƒ*ク wrote:
>> On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:20:23 -0700, John S. wrote:
>>
>>>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down my arm, I
>>>> quickly learned the importance of safety goggles and latex gloves. I
>>>> bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>>> I don't know if performing an oil change at home (or at the garage) is
>>> ever something that I would equate with pleasure.
>>
>> I think *maybe* he was being a bit sarcastic...
>>
>>> It certainly is a way to save some money.
>>
>> It costs me as much or more than Jiffy Lube, et al, but I know it's done
>> correctly!
>
> When you compare the cost to Jiffy Lube, do you include the things that
> Jiffy Lube is going to mess up?


Jiffy Lube=$19.95
4 Qts oil=$12.75
Filter=$5.65

Save ~$2 and get peace of mind...

Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B wrote:

> On Mon, 19 May 2008 01:27:19 +0000, Jeff wrote:

> > When you compare the cost to Jiffy Lube, do you include the things that
> > Jiffy Lube is going to mess up?
>
> Jiffy Lube=$19.95
> 4 Qts oil=$12.75
> Filter=$5.65
>
> Save ~$2 and get peace of mind...

Are you using synthetic? My last dozen quarts of conventional oil
cost $6, after rebate. Previous to that, I was able to get a 6-pack
of Pennzoil synthetic for $0.38 a quart, but that was $0.32 a quart
more than my first purchase of it.

One of the few things we can say for sure with *NO EXCEPTIONS* is that
you are an unmatched JACKA$$ (at least until Learning Richard shows
up).


On May 18, 9:29*pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote:
> "larry moe 'n curly" > wrote in ...
>
>
>
> > mack wrote:
>
> >> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. * You'll wish for
> >> something
> >> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> >> decide to collapse.
>
> > That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> > change the oil? *I just reach underneath.
>
> Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
> car ever made?

badgolferman wrote:
> Built_Well, 5/18/2008,2:44:18 PM, wrote:
>
>> Hi again, gang. I hope everyone has been great.
>>
>> Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
>> again with my Toyota
>> friends.
>>
>> Only this time I have a surprise! I did my first-ever oil change the
>> other day! It was a
>> real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
>> participants in this newsgroup
>> for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
>> folks like
>> Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. I also must not
>> forget to thank the
>> author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."
>>
>> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>>
>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
>> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
>> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>
> Do yourself a favor and get some drive up ramps if you must lift the
> front end of the vehicle. It takes a couple of times for you to get
> used to setting them up right and driving onto them but you'll learn
> the first time! Don't forget to block the back wheels also.
>
> Changing your own oil not only saves money but it also saves time! I
> can use the oil brand and oil filter of my own choice and still pay
> less than half what a dealer or oil change place charges. From start
> to finishing of cleanup I can be done in 30 minutes. Contrast that to
> making appointments or having to wait your turn for the next available
> spot. Once you learn to change the other fluids you have become a
> regular grease monkey!
>
> One other thing you might want to consider is an oil filter wrench like
> I have. It is a spring-loaded self-adjusting steel claw that fits over
> the top of any size oil filter. You use a ratchet and any length
> extension. Say goodbye to skinned knuckles and burned hands.
I changed my oil yesterday. No big deal. I use ramps and have a nice
sized catch bucket. I write the size of the drain plug somewhere under
the hoods of each of my vehicles, so I'll have the proper wrench. I
use 18 inch channel locks to get the old filter off. The auto parts
stores usually have some kind of special on oil and filters. This time
it was 14.95 for 5 qts of penzoil and a fram filter, use to be 8 bucks,
but inflation is under control so the gov't says. I take my time and
enjoy doing it. I tear off the lid of the filter box and write the
mileage and date and put it in the glasses storage place above the
windshield. That's my system of doing oil changes. Took me about 3
hours, because the neighbor came over to chat, and I took nap in the
middle of the oil change, maybe a nap and a half. The car was still on
the ramps last night. Nice to be retired.
Next oil change the timing belt is due to be changed, I haven't
decided if I'll do the timing belt myself or hire it done. I've got
three or 4 months to think about it. And I know is the oil plug and
filter are tight, the belts, hoses, exhaust system, U joint boots are
still in good shape, windshield washer tank is full and the tire
pressures are correct.

On May 18, 9:24 pm, Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B > wrote:
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:20:23 -0700, John S. wrote:
> >> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down my arm, I
> >> quickly learned the importance of safety goggles and latex gloves. I
> >> bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>
> > I don't know if performing an oil change at home (or at the garage) is
> > ever something that I would equate with pleasure.
>
> I think *maybe* he was being a bit sarcastic...
>
> > It certainly is a way to save some money.
>
> It costs me as much or more than Jiffy Lube, et al, but I know it's done
> correctly!

I can't tell you anything about Jiffy Lube because I've never used
them.

In my experience a home oil change should cost a bit less than an oil
change at the local garage. It will cost quite a bit less than having
the work done at a dealer. However, in my experience the dealer is
the most adept at spotting emerging problems and the local garage is
less so. For those of us willing to spend the time to do a proper oil
change, check for additional problems and dispose of the old oil and
filter then some money can be save with home oil changes. For many of
us it ends up being false savings I think.