Why You Should Change Your Own Oil 

"Chris Kasinskas" (chriskasinskas) 12/07/2015 at 14:06 • Filed to: Oil, DIY, Changing your oil

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1.) You Know It’s done right

I’ve head too many horror stories about quick lube places. Do you really trust that kid changing your oil? I sure don’t. As long as you have basic understanding of your vehicle and the right tools you can change your own oil no problem.

2.) You Can Choose Your Own Oil And Filter

I’m known to spend countless hours researching oil from different brands looking for the best oil to run. I’m currently running Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic in my 1999 Subaru Forester and 1968 Ford Mustang. I’m also sure to use OEM oil filters rather then some crappy no name filter made in China.

3.) It’s Fun!

There’s nothing like getting your hands a little dirty working on your car. And with some basic knowledge and the right tools changing your oil is quick, easy, cheaper, and fun!

DIY Oil Changing Tips

1.) Make sure you have the right tools. If you need to jack up your vehicle make sure you use a floor jack and jack stands. Don’t use the emergency jack in your trunk. If you have a vehicle that sits higher off the ground such as a SUV or Pickup Truck you don’t even need to jack it up to change the oil. I don’t need to jack my up Subaru Forester to change the oil.

2.) Save money and time by buying cases of oil when it’s on sale. When oil is on sale at places such as BJ’s and Costco I always to stock up on enough oil for at least 4 oil changes.

3.) Make sure you properly dispose of your old oil. Many towns and cities take used oil at their transfer stations at no charge for residents.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:10

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You can also dispose of your old fluids at pretty much any auto parts store.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:12

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I change my own oil in all of our vehicles. Got my neighbor into it, he comes over to join in now for his cars haha.

Forget the jacks, get some rhino ramps (under the assumption that your oil drain plug is on the BACK of the oil pan, if it’s on the front you’re out of luck - not sure if this is a common problem, I’ve never seen it)

Also, don’t wait on the towns/cities, that normally happens once a year. Advance Auto, Autozone and Oreilly all take back used oil for free. I always use Advance. I typically drop off the oil when I buy the next oil change kit.

yitznewton > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:16

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The “done right” factor is a biggie for me, especially now that I have a car with a somewhat more exotic engine. I’ve found some oil changes have gone super easy, and some, everything has been FUBAR. Also, those winter on-the-street oil changes... yuck.

Also... I hate having it done by a shop, then coming back to do it myself and needing the Jaws of Life to get the filter off D^:<

Like, I’ve actually had to go out and trial-and-error multiple new filter removal tools because they overtorqued the damn thing or didn’t pre-lube the filter gasket.

vicali > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:17

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4) Fumoto

CalzoneGolem > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:18

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Counter point: My mechanic does it for essentially what it’d cost me in materials and disposes of the oil.

Ash78, voting early and often > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/07/2015 at 14:18

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I buy all my oil in 5-quart jugs, then use them for waste oil until I have 5-10 of them. A single quick run to Jiffy Lube or Walmart, it’s done.

Best DIY reason for me: Do it whenever you want, no travel or waiting required. 7am on a Saturday? Go for it. 10pm on a weeknight? Sure.

Chris Kasinskas > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/07/2015 at 14:19

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All the towns in my area with transfer stations take used oil back every day when they are open. More convenient for me and it makes me feel like my taxes are actually doing something. LOL. A lot of people in my area don’t know that.

BigBlock440 > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:19

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Don’t use the emergency jack in your trunk.

I’ll admit I’ve used it a time or two to change my oil. I just moved into my apartment and didn’t have access to my dad’s jack at the time, and with the notorious Chrysler 2.7 I didn’t want to take any chances with waiting. Though the tires never left the ground, I just jacked it up enough to give me room to squeeze under and turn the wrench. I figured if the jack gave out, there’s still be enough room that I wouldn’t be mush, just some bruising.

Chris Kasinskas > CalzoneGolem 12/07/2015 at 14:22

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For some vehicles yes, it makes sense. I’m not doing my own oil changes on my 2015 Subaru WRX since I get free oil and filter changes at my dealership and I can actually trust them.

wiffleballtony > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:22

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Reasons to have it done at a dealer:

1. Free donuts

2. I don’t get dirty and have to worry about spillage or disposal.

3. Free donuts.

4. Every fifth change is free.

5. Free donuts.

6. I get to check out new cars on the lot and mess with salesmen.

7. Free donuts.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:23

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Fascinating.

Chris Kasinskas > wiffleballtony 12/07/2015 at 14:25

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I’m not doing my own oil changes on my 2015 Subaru WRX since I get free oil and filter changes at my dealership and I can actually trust them. And free coffee and donuts is always a bonus!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:25

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Another good option is find an automotive repair shop that you trust. When we see Jiffy Lube stickers we are automatically put on notice to look for anything out of the ordinary. We usually find it when the oil filter is loose and the air cleaner housing is only halfway put back on. Also I do change my own oil, a 5 ton lift makes the job very easy.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Ash78, voting early and often 12/07/2015 at 14:26

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Hell yeah.

I have some legit oil catch containers I fill. I just like being able to chill in the driveway and do it. I’d rather do that than sit in a waiting room at a dealer or a drive-thru oil change. I’ve worked at one. I’ve saved engines lives by yelling at people about to put not-primed oil filters on turbo audi’s. I only worked there for 4 days...it was hell.

smobgirl > wiffleballtony 12/07/2015 at 14:27

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The dealer I take mine to also sells Maseratis - it’s worth it to ogle. Plus the free muffins, snacks, and cappuccino machine more than cover the added costs of taking it in!

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:27

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Why you shouldn’t change your own oil:

Someone else is liable if something goes wrong. Let’s face it, sometimes things get cross-threaded, sometimes people measure wrong, sometimes things are left too loose, and sometimes people forget to put the oil in.

Determining which is the “right” oil can be tricky business sometimes. When it comes to cost, buying your own oil and filter costs almost as much as having someone else do all the work.

Sometimes it isn’t fun. Like when it is cold outside and you don’t have a heated garage. Like when you have a million things to do and can’t spare an hour to drag out the jack and stands, change the oil, put away the tools, and clean up.

Seriously, I went through this with my wife’s Explorer just a couple of weeks ago. The cost difference between buying my own supplies and letting the dealership do the work? Eight dollars. For eight dollars, I saved myself the time and effort of doing the work myself, plus we got a free fill of washer fluid. Totally worth it.

CalzoneGolem > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:27

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It also helps that I can see my mechanic’s shop from my office window.

PowderHound > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:28

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Do places also take gear oil? Do they care if I have it stored in a milk jug?

wiffleballtony > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:28

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I trust my dealer, they’re pretty chill. I also listed donuts as 1 for a reason.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/07/2015 at 14:28

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We bring it to a local mechanic who uses an oil burning furnace to heat the shop.

wiffleballtony > smobgirl 12/07/2015 at 14:29

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Plus if you wanted said confectionery you’d have to also buy that separately. Takes time.

Andrew P. Collins > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:29

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More reasons in support of your argument.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/07/2015 at 14:31

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The other problem with ramps is that not every car will clear them. My standard-height BRZ won’t clear them unless I put a block of wood at the low end to lift the bumper a bit.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:31

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I’m about $40 out the door for 5 qts of Mobile 1 and a filter and I thought that was steep. Then my wife took the Subaru to the dealer for an oil change and it was about $60. The subaru has the oil filter mounted on the top of the engine, making it that much easier, no need to spill hot oil on your arm when removing the oil filter. (Mazda 3 I’m looking at you, you asshole).

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > wiffleballtony 12/07/2015 at 14:32

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I don’t get dirty when I’m chaning my oil. I have a quick release valve for the pan and the oil filter’s on top of the engine. Takes longer for the oil to drain than anything.

RallyWrench > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 12/07/2015 at 14:32

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We had a New Beetle towed in last week with catastrophic oil loss immediately after a Jiffy service. They had mangled the oil cooler. Of course, they immediately denied any wrongdoing.

Urambo Tauro > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/07/2015 at 14:32

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Good points.

Usually in the winter, I wait for a sunny day and change it myself anyway, but paying $20 or whatever for a shop to do it is awfully tempting.

Urambo Tauro > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 14:34

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Most auto parts stores will take the used oil off your hands, but I’ve noticed that Walmart will also take the filter, which can hold quite a bit of oil until crushed.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > RallyWrench 12/07/2015 at 14:41

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First problem is it was a New Beetle. If you ever want a good laugh look at any Jiffy Lube location on Google Maps. You laugh at the black oil marks from the drips go all the way out to the street. I am not even kidding: https://www.google.com/maps/@35.96387…

wiffleballtony > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 14:53

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Well you’re much better at DIY than I am.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 14:57

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The majority of cars get on them. I was impressed when my Milan cleared by about 1/16th of an inch. If my tires aren’t properly inflated I think I’ll scrape lol.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 14:58

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I don’t have a quick release and that’s about as easy as it is for me too.

Though wind can be an issue since I can’t fit in the garage.

Justin Hughes > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 15:03

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4. It’s a good opportunity to get a close look at your engine, above and below, and check to see if anything else is out of place. Worn belts? Brake fluid low? You have to do something to pass the time while your oil drains, so you might as well give everything a once over while you’re there.

Master Cylinder > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 15:10

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I have only paid someone else to change oil on one of my cars once, because it was in the middle of the coldest damn winter we’ve ever had and I just really didn’t want to deal with it.

They underfilled it by two quarts and didn’t change the oil filter at all. On top of my own experience, I’ve heard so many other horror stories about oil change places that I will never try it again.

It’s not too hard to change the oil on my 944, and my wife’s Equinox has to be the easiest oil change in the world. You don’t even need a jack, just shimmy under and everything’s easy to get to. Nothing in the way of the drain plug or the filter. It’s the only redeeming quality of that vehicle, really.

BigBlock440 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 15:20

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Depends on the ramp, There’s a set for every car. My dad has a pair that don’t work with any of my cars without a block of wood, but the Rhino Ramps I have work good. They may be too steep for lower cars, but there are even lower profile ramps available.

BigBlock440 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 15:22

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Even with the plug and filter on the bottom, the only thing that gets dirty is my hand. A rag mostly cleans it up and some soap and water when I get back inside takes car of the rest of it.

BigBlock440 > yitznewton 12/07/2015 at 15:27

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Large set of channel-lock pliers are my go-to, and if they’re not available, a screwdriver and a hammer. You’re not re-using the filter, so destroying it getting it off isn’t a big deal.

Andrew P. Collins > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/07/2015 at 15:30

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In some states it’s legally required for any shop selling oil to also accept used oil.

Sweet Trav > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 15:33

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Nope.

Sorry, It’s the biggest hassle and for $40 I can get the oil changed, with Ford specified Motorcraft Oil, the tires rotated and the inspection, though on my 15 Taurus SHO, not that big of a deal.

For my 86 Monte SS, I buy the oil, filter and take it to a trusted shop. (needs Valvoline VR-1 20w50 with that ZDDP to keep my cam happy)

If I had a lift I’d consider doing it myself, but it is much easier to pay someone to do it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chris Kasinskas 12/07/2015 at 16:19

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Nah. Screw that. Pay me to do your oil change instead.

wafflesnfalafel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 12/21/2015 at 22:37

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Ha! The 3 is a pain the a$$ - but I do it every time. I just shiver at what some grease monkey would do with that goofball cartridge system... And it runs noticeably better on full synth - especially when it’s cold out.