DIY: Changing your own oil

Miroresh · 08-22-2008, 08:36 AM

Yeah around $40 or so, it was actually $32 including tax and all. One point though, and i'm not dogging on people that change their own oil because i actually admire their dedication and i wish i had the skills, guts and time to do that myself; is that by going to Jiffy Lube and doing it in 20 minutes, it did free up my morning.

In simple economic terms on opportunity cost, if i spend 2 hours changing the oil and if i make around $25/hour, i just spend $50 in labor + ($30? I don't know how much) in parts, so about $80 to change my oil. Plus, on those 2 hours or so, i can go to the beach or play some futbol.

Granted, i'm sure it won't get the same care as if i would do it myself and the personal satisfaction of knowing that i did everything to the T.

So again, has anyone had a bad experience with those quick oil-change places?

mntegra01 · 08-22-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miroresh

Just took the Ms. car on Saturday morning to Jiffy Lube, was $29.98+tax, so like $30. Took like 10 minutes. We did go at 9am and got a $10-off early bird special.

in all honesty... you get what you pay for... a place similar to that left the oil fill cap off once and oil got everywhere in the engine bay and almost caused her engine lock up due to loss of oil preesure.

If you do it yourself then you wont have to worry about that. they gave her ONE free oil change... hah.. screw that.

since when does it take 2 hours to change your oil? 30 mins max to do your own oil.

change oil once engine is nice and warm, jack it up, take off oil cap, drain oil in bucket, loosen oil filter, finish draining all the oil, put the plug back torque it back to specs, grease and put on the new filter, fill er up with new oil, put cap back on, and start it up to check your work for leaks.

BTW if you getting oil change for 32 bucks you are getting the crap of all crap oil. a 5 quart of mobil 1 is around 20-24 bucks.

surfcitylocal · 08-22-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miroresh

Yeah around $40 or so, it was actually $32 including tax and all. One point though, and i'm not dogging on people that change their own oil because i actually admire their dedication and i wish i had the skills, guts and time to do that myself; is that by going to Jiffy Lube and doing it in 20 minutes, it did free up my morning.

In simple economic terms on opportunity cost, if i spend 2 hours changing the oil and if i make around $25/hour, i just spend $50 in labor + ($30? I don't know how much) in parts, so about $80 to change my oil. Plus, on those 2 hours or so, i can go to the beach or play some futbol.

Granted, i'm sure it won't get the same care as if i would do it myself and the personal satisfaction of knowing that i did everything to the T.

So again, has anyone had a bad experience with those quick oil-change places?

I find that the peace of mind that the job was done right combined with the fact that it takes me 20-30 minutes tops to do the job is well worth it. Nothing against people who want to have the dealer or oil change locations do it, I just prefer to do it myself. I've only had my oil changed once by one of the "quicky lube" places many years ago with my Mustang. They tried to sell me all kinds of extra stuff, fuel injector cleaning, radiator flush and a new PCV valve. Just not my cup of tea.

Miroresh · 08-22-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntegra01

since when does it take 2 hours to change your oil? 30 mins max to do your own oil.

I'm a total noob so i'm sure it will take me 2 hours the first time.

I'll think about it for a bit, the dealer just changed my oil before i bought the car so i have about 3,000 to grow some guts and finally do it. Hehe.

Thanks again for the replies

wasd702 · 08-22-2008, 02:36 PM

Major Prop's on the DIY Photo's... Well done... Is there one like this for the 2nd Gen's

Ok this is funny on the way to get some Starbucks...My Maint light come on... Time for an oil change.. I have been going to the dealer since I got my box but now I have lost faith in them... Here is some history.. The last time I went to the dealer I was coming up on my 30,000 marker. The service guy was trying to sell me the 30,000 service for heavy-duty truck/SUV's with the price tag of 300 something bucks... When I was going through the description of that service it was mostly visual inspections with a normal oil change. The biggest kicker was when I noticed the same service for half the price on smaller cars etc Camry, Corolla and so on... so I questioned him and his response was that my box is a wagon and must have the heavy-duty/SUV package... Well like every other mod’er out there. I didn’t have that kind of cash to do it so I passed on it and just did my oil change. Hell they didn’t even rotate the tires.. so I’m done with dealers… Ok Ok enough of my bitch’n.. Here is my question.. What is a good normal “full synthetic Oil” and what “weight”? I live in Las Vegas so I get both extremes of weather (Very Hot and colds), and I could put 5000 miles every 3 months. I daily drive an 08 xB manual transmission. My normal driving habits are a bit heavy (on the streets anywhere between 45 to 60 mph and freeway 65 to 75 mph) I don’t race I just drive fast and that’s where my Box feels most comfortable at. I use to put Castrol Full Synthetic 10w-30 on my 04 Chevy blazer, and I never had a problem.. However I read so many reviews on Mobil 1, Valvoline full syn., Eneos, Amsoil, or Royal Purple.. And they all sound good… anyone out their using any of these with the same driving habits as me?? Any suggestions will be much appreciated….

lostreception · 08-22-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miroresh

So again, has anyone had a bad experience with those quick oil-change places?

not me but ...

Consumer complaints about Jiffy Lube Damages

Jiffy Lube: Malicious Oil Change? Jiffy Lube Ruined My Oil Plug "On Purpose"

lilchris115 · 08-23-2008, 12:02 AM

i may the first to ask this but, how many quarts r ya'll puttin in. i've always been accustomed to 4 quarts for 4 bangers. whats ur guy's input. n speaking of jiffy lube... im totally against those quick oil change places. i had a buddy that worked there for a while n said the guys there were so lazy they wouldnt bother changing the filter. how lazy can they get? n isnt there something fishy about an oil change that only takes 10 min? thats jus my input

BOXICAN · 08-23-2008, 01:10 AM

Jiffy Lube is conivenient for those who don't have time or don't know how. i go against it simply cause it's more rewarding to do it yourself ....plus i don't really need to hear about what THEY think I need. thanks TAZ for the right up.

WigSplitter · 08-23-2008, 02:25 PM

I'm doing mine tomorrow for the second time. This write-up will be handy as my grand pappi talked me through it the first time. Last time I used Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w 30. I've drivin it just under 5K in about 2 months and the oil still looks cleaner than what the "quicky" places used after 3k.

wherediputit · 08-24-2008, 04:13 AM

Thanks Surf! I have been wanting to do this for a bit, definitely need one and this will help. I have changed oil before, but in a way different car, so seeing where everything is, and the weights everyone is using and what not.

Nice write up as always too Taz!!!

SAKURA · 04-27-2009, 12:35 AM

"Engine Oil Grade and Capacity" per SCION xB Repair Manual

Oil grade:
Use API grade SL ”Energy–Conserving”, or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
SAE 5W–30 is the best choice for good fuel economy, and good starting in cold weather.

If SAE 5W–30 is not available, SAE 10W–30 may be used.
However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W–30 at the next oil replacement.

Capacity:
With oil filter replacement - 3.7 liters (3.9 US qts, 3.3 lmp. qts)
Without oil filter replacement - 3.4 liters (3.6 US qts, 3.0 lmp. qts)
Dry fill - 4.1 liters (4.3 US qts, 3.6 lmp. qts)