Pros/cons of changing your own oil
02-05-2018, 11:51 AM
#81
Senior Member
I've been doing my own oil changes for the past 45+ year s, and am continuing with my 2018 Lariat 5.0. While I'm old and can't fit under the truck as easily has year past, I find this is just good therapy for me, and it's still one of the few things a weekend shadetree mechanic can still do.
For those with a 2018 5.0 watch out for the half-turn new drain plug.
For those with a 2018 5.0 watch out for the half-turn new drain plug.
02-05-2018, 12:32 PM
#82
Senior Member
I have been a mechanic all my life. Now being a trainer, I do not have a lift. Dealership will change the oil, rotate the tires and a courtesy wash for about $45. Not worth it to me to buy the stuff and do it in the driveway.
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javelina1 (02-05-2018)
02-05-2018, 12:34 PM
#83
2018 XL Sport 4x4
02-05-2018, 01:06 PM
#84
With very rare exception, for the last 30+ years I've changed my own oil. Every car I've owned in that 30+ years had to go back to the dealer for warranty work of one sort or another. Never had a single instance of a dealer refusing to perform warranty work because I hadn't taken said vehicle there for its oil changes, not 1.
Side note: The only time I've personally seen anyone have trouble with warranty work is with 3rd party warranties, where one instance a guy I work with had a major warranty job on his diesel truck denied because he was missing one (1) oil change receipt over the last 5-7yrs IIRC. 3rd party warranties = B.S. IMHO, but YMMV.
On numerous occasions I've witnessed dealers screw up oil changes, either be it making a mess of the engine bay, overfilling, underfilling, etc. I can do a change faster than going to the dealer, generally cheaper than going to the dealer, & guaranteed I will do it correctly. Added bonus, I get to see what else is going on with other things while I'm doing the oil change (inspecting the undercarriage etc).
LOL at establishing a 'relationship' with service adviser etc. If I roll up in a service dept & they won't help me then I will be on the phone to FoMoCo & we'll go from there. Also, around here the people that work in service depts are like a revolving door. Establish a relationship one visit then have to establish a new one the next visit.
Side note: The only time I've personally seen anyone have trouble with warranty work is with 3rd party warranties, where one instance a guy I work with had a major warranty job on his diesel truck denied because he was missing one (1) oil change receipt over the last 5-7yrs IIRC. 3rd party warranties = B.S. IMHO, but YMMV.
On numerous occasions I've witnessed dealers screw up oil changes, either be it making a mess of the engine bay, overfilling, underfilling, etc. I can do a change faster than going to the dealer, generally cheaper than going to the dealer, & guaranteed I will do it correctly. Added bonus, I get to see what else is going on with other things while I'm doing the oil change (inspecting the undercarriage etc).
LOL at establishing a 'relationship' with service adviser etc. If I roll up in a service dept & they won't help me then I will be on the phone to FoMoCo & we'll go from there. Also, around here the people that work in service depts are like a revolving door. Establish a relationship one visit then have to establish a new one the next visit.
02-05-2018, 01:13 PM
#85
Senior Member
With very rare exception, for the last 30+ years I've changed my own oil. Every car I've owned in that 30+ years had to go back to the dealer for warranty work of one sort or another. Never had a single instance of a dealer refusing to perform warranty work because I hadn't taken said vehicle there for its oil changes, not 1.
Side note: The only time I've personally seen anyone have trouble with warranty work is with 3rd party warranties, where one instance a guy I work with had a major warranty job on his diesel truck denied because he was missing one (1) oil change receipt over the last 5-7yrs IIRC. 3rd party warranties = B.S. IMHO, but YMMV.
On numerous occasions I've witnessed dealers screw up oil changes, either be it making a mess of the engine bay, overfilling, underfilling, etc. I can do a change faster than going to the dealer, generally cheaper than going to the dealer, & guaranteed I will do it correctly. Added bonus, I get to see what else is going on with other things while I'm doing the oil change (inspecting the undercarriage etc).
LOL at establishing a 'relationship' with service adviser etc. If I roll up in a service dept & they won't help me then I will be on the phone to FoMoCo & we'll go from there. Also, around here the people that work in service depts are like a revolving door. Establish a relationship one visit then have to establish a new one the next visit.
Side note: The only time I've personally seen anyone have trouble with warranty work is with 3rd party warranties, where one instance a guy I work with had a major warranty job on his diesel truck denied because he was missing one (1) oil change receipt over the last 5-7yrs IIRC. 3rd party warranties = B.S. IMHO, but YMMV.
On numerous occasions I've witnessed dealers screw up oil changes, either be it making a mess of the engine bay, overfilling, underfilling, etc. I can do a change faster than going to the dealer, generally cheaper than going to the dealer, & guaranteed I will do it correctly. Added bonus, I get to see what else is going on with other things while I'm doing the oil change (inspecting the undercarriage etc).
LOL at establishing a 'relationship' with service adviser etc. If I roll up in a service dept & they won't help me then I will be on the phone to FoMoCo & we'll go from there. Also, around here the people that work in service depts are like a revolving door. Establish a relationship one visit then have to establish a new one the next visit.
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Sikwill (02-06-2018)
02-05-2018, 09:29 PM
#86
Senior Member
Took my truck in for the dreaded 5.0 engine knock, and satellite radio cutting out last Thursday. Of course the knock could not be heard, and I had to tell the service advisor to check for bulletins on the antenna.
As I was leaving I saw the quick lane had an open bay, so I told the service advisor to go ahead with an oil change. Bad mistake. Although it was the first problem in 4 oil changes. The oil filter tray was full of oil and dripping, and oil was not cleaned off around the drain plug. So I had to clean the spots off the driveway and clean the excess oil from the oil pan.
But what I'm more concerned about is the color of the new oil. I had checked the oil on Wednesday and when comparing the color of the new oil with the oil with 39% remaining, I'm not seeing any difference. I'm concerned the old oil was not allowed to drain long enough.
I'm waiting for a call when the antenna comes in so I'll talk to the service advisor when I take the truck back in.
I might just go back to doing my own oil changes.
As I was leaving I saw the quick lane had an open bay, so I told the service advisor to go ahead with an oil change. Bad mistake. Although it was the first problem in 4 oil changes. The oil filter tray was full of oil and dripping, and oil was not cleaned off around the drain plug. So I had to clean the spots off the driveway and clean the excess oil from the oil pan.
But what I'm more concerned about is the color of the new oil. I had checked the oil on Wednesday and when comparing the color of the new oil with the oil with 39% remaining, I'm not seeing any difference. I'm concerned the old oil was not allowed to drain long enough.
I'm waiting for a call when the antenna comes in so I'll talk to the service advisor when I take the truck back in.
I might just go back to doing my own oil changes.
02-05-2018, 09:37 PM
#87
Easy... you use your own oil and filter. You're doing it, not some person lacking experience to be an actual technician. No worries of someone doing a horrible job, or scratching the heck out of your truck because they aren't paying attention (or caring of your vehicle).
Heck, the last few times I've had a vehicle brought in, they destroyed the exhaust system, scratched up the interior of a brand new car (destroyed the trim on the center console, passenger side of it...), they darn near wrecked the car into a pole while trying to find reverse (and the clutch), plenty of scratches have been installed on the body, footprints on the seats, grease all over the bodywork... great services.
I'll take doing my own oil over someone else.
Heck, the last few times I've had a vehicle brought in, they destroyed the exhaust system, scratched up the interior of a brand new car (destroyed the trim on the center console, passenger side of it...), they darn near wrecked the car into a pole while trying to find reverse (and the clutch), plenty of scratches have been installed on the body, footprints on the seats, grease all over the bodywork... great services.
I'll take doing my own oil over someone else.
02-06-2018, 07:30 AM
#88
Took my truck in for the dreaded 5.0 engine knock, and satellite radio cutting out last Thursday. Of course the knock could not be heard, and I had to tell the service advisor to check for bulletins on the antenna.
As I was leaving I saw the quick lane had an open bay, so I told the service advisor to go ahead with an oil change. Bad mistake. Although it was the first problem in 4 oil changes. The oil filter tray was full of oil and dripping, and oil was not cleaned off around the drain plug. So I had to clean the spots off the driveway and clean the excess oil from the oil pan.
But what I'm more concerned about is the color of the new oil. I had checked the oil on Wednesday and when comparing the color of the new oil with the oil with 39% remaining, I'm not seeing any difference. I'm concerned the old oil was not allowed to drain long enough.
I'm waiting for a call when the antenna comes in so I'll talk to the service advisor when I take the truck back in.
I might just go back to doing my own oil changes.
As I was leaving I saw the quick lane had an open bay, so I told the service advisor to go ahead with an oil change. Bad mistake. Although it was the first problem in 4 oil changes. The oil filter tray was full of oil and dripping, and oil was not cleaned off around the drain plug. So I had to clean the spots off the driveway and clean the excess oil from the oil pan.
But what I'm more concerned about is the color of the new oil. I had checked the oil on Wednesday and when comparing the color of the new oil with the oil with 39% remaining, I'm not seeing any difference. I'm concerned the old oil was not allowed to drain long enough.
I'm waiting for a call when the antenna comes in so I'll talk to the service advisor when I take the truck back in.
I might just go back to doing my own oil changes.
I once a long long time ago, took my Jetta to one of those quick change places, it had a lower engine cover, and they were too lazy to take it off, they let the oil spill all over it, and attempted to wash it with window shield washer fluid. Other people I know had their engine cover blow off on the highway because the oil change flunky was too lazy to put all the bolts in.
Good luck to you guys that want to trust your truck to a flunky?
