How often do you change your oil?

[ccap41]

On 11/30/2020 at 6:46 PM, balthazar said:

In mid-level trims (Elevation & SLE), the price diff of the 3.0L TD is $1K over the 5.3, but the city MPG goes up by 5.

I have a relatively light foot only because the 2500HD is elderly & tired; I brake like a loaded semi and I don't hammer on it like I used to. But it's MPG has never differed regardless, I've logged every fuel fill since I got it.

And the fuel cost difference between the two? 

[balthazar]

Right now about .28 / gal. I'd have to look in my log, but I drive about 10K per year (2018: 9600 miles).

10K miles per year @ 16 MPG = 625 gals x 2.01 = $1256 / yr.
10K miles per year @ 21 MPG = 476 gals x 2.29 = $1090 / yr.
annual fuel savings: $166.
Duramax pays for itself in 6.02 years.
I've been in my current truck for 14.

Edited December 5, 2020 by balthazar

[A Horse With No Name]

14 hours ago, balthazar said:

Right now about .28 / gal. I'd have to look in my log, but I drive about 10K per year.

10K miles per year @ 16 MPG = 625 gals x 2.01 = $1256 / yr.
10K miles per year @ 21 MPG = 476 gals x 2.29 = $1090 / yr.
annual fuel savings: $166.
Duramax pays for itself in 6.02 years.
I've been in my current truck for 14.

I think a couple of other things...

Cost of oil changes on diesels is higher... Gladiator Diesel is like over $200 it is insane.

You will have people really wanting a diesel truck if you ever trade it back in.

Was thinking GTI or Jetta GLI really hard when I bought the Ranger but future trade in was a factor.

Trucks... especially diesel trucks...always seem to be in demand if they are not rusted to death or beaten to death.

Also...Blu has ruined me in terms of Trucks. I really disagree with David here...I am really kind of finding the full-size Current GM crop hot.

Had a whole car carrier of GMC and Chevy full size go by me the other day....all white... everything from work truck to Denali level.

Loved every minute of it.

[balthazar]

8 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Cost of oil changes on diesels is higher... Gladiator Diesel is like over $200 it is insane

How’s that possible?

I change my own about every 6000, so slightly LESS than twice a year. Cost me about $50.

Edited December 4, 2020 by balthazar

[A Horse With No Name]

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

How’s that possible?

I change my own about every 6000, so slightly LESS than twice a year. Cost me about $75.

The Filter itself is like $85 and it takes a large quantity of special oil.

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

How’s that possible?

I change my own about every 6000, so slightly LESS than twice a year. Cost me about $75.

You are the exception as I do not find to many people who do their own oil changes anymore. Either 3rd party places like Grease Monkey out here or the dealership is the norm for most people now and diesel oil change is expensive.

I do understand, as I have in the past changed my own oil, but now time and disposal properly of used oil, might as well use the dealership.

 

[G. David Felt]

Was curious and looked at Napa web site and O'Reilly auto parts and found for a 2017 Chevy Diesel filters from $10 to $40 so took the middle as I hate using cheap filters. So $20 for a filter and then OIL, regular Mobil synthetic oil is $48.99 for 2.5 gallons or Mobil Delvac regular diesel oil at $44.99.

So if you do your own oil changes, I can see from $75 to $100 per oil change for materials. Then you have time and disposal of said dirty oil on top of that.

Called my local Chevrolet and was a bit shocked when they quoted me $95 for an OEM filter and their 2.5 gallon container of GM synthetic oil was $99. OUCH, the guy even said it would be cheaper to have them do the oil change with tax at under $200 or if I wanted to stay a DIY person, go to Napa.

Very interesting.

[balthazar]

NAPA Gold (made by Wix) is $18. I had bought a case of them some years ago; then I think they were $7 or $9 ea, but I only have one left.
Last time I bought a 3-gal case of Rotella-T @ Costco- it was $30. That’s a $48 oil change.
It takes me less time to change my own oil than schedule/ drop off/ wait/ go pick up than for me to do it myself at my whim in my driveway.
Disposal is thru the county- once every couple years I ride about 2 miles and drop off all hazard chems I may have accumulated. Easy-peasy.
 

[G. David Felt]

3 minutes ago, balthazar said:

NAPA Gold (made by Wix) is $18. I had bought a case of them some years ago; then I think they were $7 or $9 ea, but I only have one left.
Last time I bought a 3-gal case of Rotella-T @ Costco- it was $30. That’s a $48 oil change.
It takes me less time to change my own oil than schedule/ drop off/ wait/ go pick up than for me to do it myself at my whim in my driveway.
Disposal is thru the county- once every couple years I ride about 2 miles and drop off all hazard chems I may have accumulated. Easy-peasy.
 

Very cool, Costco is probably cheaper on the large oil container than Napa or others. Here all used motor oil is required to be returned to any parts store for recycling. The 3rd party oil change places take at most 30 min to get it done and you usually just park the auto, go into the waiting area and then pay, head out the other side, jump in and drive off. Better than me getting dirty and messing with it all IMHO.

But then that will be a thing of the past once I move to an EV.

[balthazar]

Sure, but you’re paying an extra 20 grand to avoid oil changes. To each, his own. ?

Edited December 4, 2020 by balthazar

[balthazar]

- - - - - 
I also don’t necessarily like to drop off a truck loaded with tools to a guy with a monster toolbox he uses for his job.

[ykX]

30 minutes ago, David said:

The 3rd party oil change places take at most 30 min to get it done and you usually just park the auto, go into the waiting area and then pay, head out the other side, jump in and drive off

It is never 30 minutes, you have to get to dealership and than it takes at least an hour till they process your car, all in all you spending at least couple hours and being grossly overcharged.  My wife's car is still under warranty and I prefer to change oil at a dealer just not to get them excuse in case something happens.

My car on the other hand is out of warranty and very easy to change oil.  Synthetic oil from Costco for $25 and high quality Purolator filter from Amazon for $8 or $9 and it takes me exactly 30 minutes on my driveway including taking out and putting back all the tools.   

Any local car auto parts store or Walmart takes used oil for disposal. 

Edited December 4, 2020 by ykX

[Robert Hall]

My last oil change at the dealer was quick, I got there at 8am on a Friday and was out in 40 min or less, incl tire rotation, air filter and cabin filter.   Once a year given how little I drive.  

Edited December 4, 2020 by Robert Hall

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

NAPA Gold (made by Wix) is $18. I had bought a case of them some years ago; then I think they were $7 or $9 ea, but I only have one left.
Last time I bought a 3-gal case of Rotella-T @ Costco- it was $30. That’s a $48 oil change.
It takes me less time to change my own oil than schedule/ drop off/ wait/ go pick up than for me to do it myself at my whim in my driveway.
Disposal is thru the county- once every couple years I ride about 2 miles and drop off all hazard chems I may have accumulated. Easy-peasy.
 

Autozone accepts used motor oil also...and other places around here accept it.

Ford Ranger has filter in awkward location. It's fifty dollars for a dealership oil change which includes a vacuum cleaning wash and tire rotation.

[G. David Felt]

2 hours ago, ykX said:

It is never 30 minutes, you have to get to dealership and than it takes at least an hour till they process your car, all in all you spending at least couple hours and being grossly overcharged.  My wife's car is still under warranty and I prefer to change oil at a dealer just not to get them excuse in case something happens.

My car on the other hand is out of warranty and very easy to change oil.  Synthetic oil from Costco for $25 and high quality Purolator filter from Amazon for $8 or $9 and it takes me exactly 30 minutes on my driveway including taking out and putting back all the tools.   

Any local car auto parts store or Walmart takes used oil for disposal. 

True at a dealership at least an hour or so at my local dealership is about an hr. But the grease monkey is always about 30 min.

2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

My last oil change at the dealer was quick, I got there at 8am on a Friday and was out in 40 min or less.   Once a year given how little I drive.  

Agree, I noticed that the dealership now schedules up oil changes so I have never been longer than an hour and I like that you get tire rotation, over all auto check for any other maintenance needed and a complete wash and vacuum for a clean auto when you leave.

Both of my auto's use Synthetic and so $69.95 at my Cadillac dealership for the Escalade and SS. I see no need to get dirty and get under the auto when it can be done this cheap IMHO and I am out the door without dealing with oil disposal and cleanup.

[balthazar]

I would never use a Grease Monkey / Jiffy Lube- heard a handful of horror stories.

I've changed my own oil for decades now. Rule of thumb is; I'm fine if I don't have to jack the vehicle up. The exception here is the Jeep Liberty; don't have to jack it up but getting the filter out is a PITA, so I don't do it. Actually got the Chevy dealer to change it last time! Bet they don't see many Jeeps in there. Have a very good service department there... but I have not & won't wait in a dealer / service outfit while my vehicle is worked on. Drives me crazy.

Edited December 4, 2020 by balthazar

[ykX]

16 hours ago, David said:

I see no need to get dirty and get under the auto

You see, to me it is far more enjoyable than mowing my lawn for example.  I would rather work on my car than do landscaping.  I guess part of me being a car enthusiast.

[Robert Hall]

55 minutes ago, ykX said:

You see, to me it is far more enjoyable than mowing my lawn for example.  I would rather work on my car than do landscaping.  I guess part of me being a car enthusiast.

I’ll admit I do enjoy planting trees and cultivating them.  I started using a yard service when I lived in Phoenix, had no interest in mowing in the summer when it was 110F or more often.   
I’ve never been much of a wrencher, I’ve always enjoyed driving more than tinkering. 

[ykX]

16 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

I’ll admit I do enjoy planting trees and cultivating them.  I started using a yard service when I lived in Phoenix, had no interest in mowing in the summer when it was 110F or more often.   
I’ve never been much of a wrencher, I’ve always enjoyed driving more than tinkering. 

That's fine to each its own. 

I am not much of the wrencher either, just like doing some basic stuff.  I would rather drive also.

[balthazar]

So I see this thread really should be titled "How often do you pay someone to change your oil?"

[A Horse With No Name]

Random car pic... and....

Ecodiesel oil change I was talking about...

 

Oil change with the filter location on the Ranger is a bit awkward...

 

[balthazar]

On 12/4/2020 at 10:26 AM, A Horse With No Name said:

it takes a large quantity of special oil.

13 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Ecodiesel oil change I was talking about...

9 quarts... DuraMax takes 10.

[USA-1]

If a new car or truck of mine the first oil change gets done around 1,500 mi. to get the factory fill "break-in" oil out. I know engines are "broke in" at the factory now, but there are still piston rings to seat completely and main bearings to fully set and I like to get Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic in ASAP, it really does make a difference. GM Dexos oil is decent, but it's a blend of conv./syn. All Corvettes come from the factory filled with Mobil 1 Full Syn. since at least the first C5's in '97 so it wasn't as much of an issue, but both the C5 and Silverado get Mobil 1 Full Syn. and Wix XP Syn. compatible oil filters every 6 mos. or 6000mi. that's about when the OLM system is at 10% left although I'm a bit over 6 mos. in both right now because the miles are lower than usual and oil life is still at 25% in the Silvy from oil change in May for obvious reasons (Kung Flu). I change the Silvy myself no floor jack even needed and can easily fit under with a creeper, it's fun and I like to look around and check everything else out underneath myself because I care about my truck more than some kid making $12/hr. Since you can't fit a floor jack under a Corvette I take her to a big Corvette Chevy dealer where they actually have the mechanics change the oil on the Vettes. There are very specific points marked "lift here" on the hidden frame rails to setup a 2 post lift for Vettes, even a 4 post ramp lift can get tricky so the oil change kids are a "I don't think so son".

We've unfortunately recently seen what can happen if an untrained service dept. minion tries to lift a Vette, like that new C8 that fell off one recently that wasn't setup right. That's just an irresponsible lift operator and not at all acceptable from any SAE Certf'd. dealership. It's a general safety rule to check, double check then triple check the lift points before you start the hydraulic rams to lift any car.

[USA-1]

34 minutes ago, balthazar said:

9 quarts... DuraMax takes 10.

Crap my 6.2L takes 8 qts. so does the 5.3L from '14-'18. Apparently the new 2019+ 5.3L and 6.2L take 6 qts. again like the old 5.3L and 6.0L did.

[USA-1]

14 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Oil change with the filter location on the Ranger is a bit awkward...

 

I've noticed the new F150 Raptor is a b!tch as well. One of my neighbors was out changing his the other day. They have an access door on the front skid plate and you have to buy a special extended oil wrench from Ford, which he didn't buy, so he was wrestling with it quite a bit. Pretty funny. I said those Ford engineers gotcha good! He scoffed and said no sh!t they really did!

That's ridiculous that you have to do all that to get to the oil filter on the Ranger going in from the wheel well and to actually get to it you have to remove the splash guards in the well? I'd be really annoyed. Why couldn't they design it to get to it from the bottom near the drain plug?! They already make you take the skid plate off to get to the plug! Lol!

 

Edited December 8, 2020 by USA-1

[A Horse With No Name]

On 12/4/2020 at 1:14 PM, balthazar said:

- - - - - 
I also don’t necessarily like to drop off a truck loaded with tools to a guy with a monster toolbox he uses for his job.

Probably good thinking. 

There are advantages to ICE trucks that need oil changes...

 

[Robert Hall]

Modern vehicles aren't designed for DIY servicing.   My Jeep, for instance, requires removing the whole front fascia to change any of the front bulbs. 

[A Horse With No Name]

12 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Modern vehicles aren't designed for DIY servicing.   My Jeep, for instance, requires removing the whole front fascia to change any of the front bulbs. 

We have an outside vendor service our vehicles on campus. It is going to cost $250 to fix a bad turn signal lamp. Part is two weeks out with Ford apparently. It's going to get to the point everyone will lease just so service is included. Not going to be good for idnpendant shops, maybe. 

Interested in input on what you guys think the future of the indpendant shop is. 

[ykX]

16 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Modern vehicles aren't designed for DIY servicing.   My Jeep, for instance, requires removing the whole front fascia to change any of the front bulbs. 

Depends.  My car, my wife's car and my parents car are all 2016-2019 models with my wife's car being a hybrid, and all the basic stuff is not a problem to do,  Oil, brakes are easy.  Some light bulbs are pain in the @ss to replace. 

Edited December 8, 2020 by ykX

[Robert Hall]

The dealer can change the oil and brakes much faster than I ever could...I have no interest in f*cking around w/ that shit...nor do I have a lift or pit in my garage or the space for one. 

[G. David Felt]

My SS requires the whole front facia be removed to replace headlights and turn signal lights, Crappy design from an engineering point of view when they could have made it easy from the engine bay with just a little thinking. I believe this happens due to separate engineering teams that do not communicate with other teams. Just given connection points and they build their module to attach to the connection points. Sad really.

In regards to independent service businesses for ICE auto's. I have a friend Tony who owns his own Transmission / Auto repair shop. Started as only a transmission differential focused business but he has had to expand to covering everything as he himself has said he does not see independent auto shops being around in 25 years. He has pushed his own kids to get college educated and skills in areas that will have career growth rather than learning business to take over his business.

Tony said he see's himself 20 more years in it before selling it off. As such, his daughter is in college now for a medical degree and his son started this year in computer science. His son still loves to be in the shop and work on auto's but Tony has him enjoying it as a hobby rather than a career.

Interesting times we live in for sure.

[Robert Hall]

I know a really good independent shop here that my sister used for her Cadillac..been in business 50 years, on their 3rd generation in a family.  Just like the independent shop I frequented in my Phoenix neighborhood.   Both are generalist shops, and there is also a great Euro shop there that she took her old Mercedes to.   

I do wonder if in the future we will see independent EV repair shops to repair future EVs?  Or will they just be disposable appliances that the automakers recycle after the leases are up? 

[ykX]

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

The dealer can change the oil and brakes much faster than I ever could...I have no interest in f*cking around w/ that $h!...nor do I have a lift or pit in my garage or the space for one. 

Well, last time I was with my wife's previous car at the dealer changing oil (still was under warranty) they said the car needs rear brake pads and quoted me $300 for the replacement.  I said no thank you, bought pads on rockauto for $40 and it took me 40 minutes to install them.  So that's that ...

[USA-1]

On 12/4/2020 at 11:01 AM, balthazar said:

NAPA Gold (made by Wix) is $18. I had bought a case of them some years ago; then I think they were $7 or $9 ea, but I only have one left.
Last time I bought a 3-gal case of Rotella-T @ Costco- it was $30. That’s a $48 oil change.
It takes me less time to change my own oil than schedule/ drop off/ wait/ go pick up than for me to do it myself at my whim in my driveway.
Disposal is thru the county- once every couple years I ride about 2 miles and drop off all hazard chems I may have accumulated. Easy-peasy.
 

Yep, I buy the 6 qt. boxes of Mobil 1 Full Syn. at Costco when they're 10 bucks off in coupon book, so $28 instead of $38, then I hit up O'Reilly's or Wally's World for the Wix XP oil filter for $9-$11 a piece which is well worth it. Then I get 'er done myself and O'Reilly's takes the used oil. Good times!

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, ykX said:

Well, last time I was with my wife's previous car at the dealer changing oil (still was under warranty) they said the car needs rear brake pads and quoted me $300 for the replacement.  I said no thank you, bought pads on rockauto for $40 and it took me 40 minutes to install them.  So that's that ...

Depends on teh independant shop. Here in Ohio I have good small shops, and even a good cheap vet.  Last time I took my cat in ist was ten bucks with meds...

[Robert Hall]

If I tried sitting on the floor or use a creeper to get under a car without a lift I'd be a world of pain the next day.  My back just can't take that shit.    I'd rather pay a specialist...that's how the economy works... I get paid for my specialized work product so I can pay others for their specialized goods and services...can't do everything myself. 

 

Edited December 8, 2020 by Robert Hall