Topic: [oil change] home garage vs. dealership

[myhome13]

where do you do your oil & filter changes?

I do it at the dealership what about you?

[ovr50]

Dealership - too much hassle at home, plus oil disposal a problem. I haven't done an oil change at home for about 30 years.

[quadzilla]

Dealership so I can check out new models while I'm there. 

[safristi]

 Quadzi..where is this Victoria's Secrets LUBE JOINT!!!!!!!

[wing]

Home, takes me 10 min, takes dealership 1 hour.

[Trainman]

Local mechanical shop, dealers too far away (100 km one way); doing at home too messy and as ovr50 states, disposal issues.

[articsteve]

Crappy Tire and Walmart take old oil.  Just drop it inside service door.  Problem with dealer oil change is that very little time is alotted for the oil to drip out.  If the oil capacity is 5 litres count on 1/3 litre of old oil to remain in engine.  Personally the thought of a co-op student over torquing my drain plug or oil filter is cause for a bad sleep.

However, some owners are just not setup for DIY oil changes.  Good jack and a jack stand plus a big round oil catch pan with pour spout are needed.

[wing]

Don't even need a jack   In my subaru I can fit the oil pan down and reach under the car with no lifting whatsoever, it's a 5 min job, I let the oil drip out while I do other stuff.

In the Honda I have some wood I have to drive onto (ramps) and that's all as well.

[initial_D]

I take my cars to shops that will allow me to go in and look underneath of the car while they do the oil changes. I take my digital camera with me, take some pictures if there is something not right. Basically during each oil change, I give my cars a good 5 to 10 minutes inspection on a hoist, can't really do that at home. I have old cars, so it is worth the time and hassel for me.

[yugrus]

I started my own oil changes when I discovered that both my drain plug and filter were loose after the oil change at the dealership. I use Fram's SureDrain and it works great. No mess at all and no need to torque the drain plug.

[articsteve]

I started my own oil changes when I discovered that both my drain plug and filter were loose after the oil change at the dealership. I use Fram's SureDrain and it works great. No mess at all and no need to torque the drain plug.

What is "SureDrain"?

[mrthompson]

http://rustysoffroad.com/article_framsuredrain.html

[yugrus]

Thanks mrthompson!
Yes, as much as I dislike Fram's oil filters, I admire SureDrain a lot. Very convenient indeed. Cadadian Tire sells it in every size.

[wing]

There's something better than that, it's a little thing like a tap, can't remember the name right now.

[yugrus]

There's something better than that, it's a little thing like a tap, can't remember the name right now.

It is called Fumoto valve. I'm not sure it is better for all vehicles since you have to have quite a bit of clearance for it. There's increased risk to chop it off when going over something, and the tap can potentially be opened by debris or what not... Or someone...

[wing]

That's the one.  Great in the S2000.

[Snowman]

I go to a Pennzoil quick lube…..drive in…drive out in 15 minutes.

[tpl]

dealer and independent BMW specialist.

1. No garage
2: gravel parking area
3: warranty, so every 3rd change( every 25,000km)  is done on schedule at the dealer

[claudster]

My independent mechanic. Done quickley, let me look under the car, does not try to upsell me on anything,nor do they try to pressure me to change my platinum tipped spark plugs every 50K Km instead of 150K Km. Plus mechanic is much cheaper than dealer and does the nessisary inspections while the car is on hoist. No worries of lube tech hoping to get an apprenticeship over/under torquing drain plug and filter.

[AVToller]

I plan on continuing to use my local mechanic. He is good, honest, and relatively inexpensive. I'll have him do the maintenance too. I have no garage and little inclination to work on the Yaris.