Do you do your own oil changes?

I used to do them when my car had the oil filter up top. I used a manual vacuum pump to suck the oil out through the dipstick tube. You could almost do it wearing a white shirt so easy and clean.

I'm less likely to do my own oil changes anymore since, here in PA anyway, it's nearly impossible to dispose of the used oil.

I refuse to do what I see others doing and dump it on the side of the road somewhere.

the question, absolutely.

Until February, nobody has touched any oil on our 4 vehicles, since 2011.

The last straw was catching a GMC dealership not doing the work. Back then, it was $49.95. People reaading this are saying, c'mon, $50 isn't going to kill you, and not doing the work isn't the end of the world, it's the way it is.

No, it is not lol

Anyone remember the days, whenever there was any type of disagreement with automotive repairs, the proprietor would say, I'll give you a free oil change?

Our 2025 GM came with a free oil change from GM, so you better believe I put secret paint marks everywhere to determine if they actually did the job.

As mentioned above, yes, in PA, pita to recycle the used oil, but I may have found an Auto Zone who will take it (many Auto Zone will not).

At any rate, I did see something saying the base chemicals needed for the Dexos formulation to meet GM standards is now hard to get.

Last thought--the price of a jug of oil is about the same today, as it was in 2019.

The price of an oil change, is not. It was as low as $24.95 in 2019, it's about 3 to 5 times that in 2026.

We need to overcome this stigma of if you do things yourself, you're old and have too much time on your hands. If anything, we need to do more ourselves, like our parents and grandparents.

Thanks for the tip I have some in stock but am going to get more to avoid disappointment as I'm doing my wife's 2025 every 2500 if you can believe that (2021-2024 known issues and recalled).

I use a Fumoto petcock, Kirkland oil, and Wix filters. With the petcock's flexible plastic tube feeding right into a five gallon pail it is almost hard to make a mess. Yes, my F-350 sits (stupid) high so the pail fits.

The only way I'm sure that the two zerks in the front end get grease is to do it myself. Also, since I do it myself I can just leave it to drain overnight and get the last 17 drops of dirty oil out.

I don't like to change the oil in the summer or winter. Since I don't put on much mileage I can restrict myself to spring and fall.

My father was an engineer and made sure that I knew how to do all the basic car maintenance/repair stuff before I even had a license. Continued that way for much of my life, but stopped eventually. For quite a few years now, I've just purchased the extended maintenance plan with new cars, where you pre-pay for everything. My current car had all of that included in the purchase price actually.

I don't have a garage and can think of a lot of better things to do with my time anymore. But I can understand that some people actually enjoy tinkering with cars, and you could potentially save some money that way. Just not for me anymore.

yeah, done my own for years. don't trust anyone else to care as much as I do. Unopened oil does eventually break down, maybe not the base oil but the additive packages don't last forever, even if unopened.

Yes i do for at least the last 61 years.

We have two Teslas. No oil changes involved. No engine oil.

I've used WIX almost 25 years. I've heard they've changed, but I still use them for my Toyota product.

I noticed with the Buick Enclave, the number of flutes changed on the PF63 equivalent, telling me someone else might make it today or at minimum something changed. I forgot once, and found the cap wrench was slipping. I said how could this be, I never overtighten, completely forgetting it now needed the "other" cap wrench. Got myself all worked up and attempted to remove with Channel Locks and mangled the filter. Based on the position no a strap wrench nor special oil filters pliers really don't work. That was a prevagen moment and I feared needing a tow truck, with the vehicle blocking the other 2 cars.

On my wife's I use the AC Delco PF63 OE, and I settled on Castrol Edge Dexos (here is not the place for a 0W20 debate lol, but I think it's about the shear). Against my own beliefs I'm back to 2500 mile oil changes as she has the 6.2 that got the massive recall.

My toyota I have some Kirkland's lined up, it didn't even come with synthetic so I feel Kirkland is fine. The other car I use Euro oil and last time was 0W40 Castrol with the approved LL-01 designation. I also have some newer M1 that once again got LL-01. 01 as in 2001, does it matter?

Absolutely. I'm over 70 and i do both our vehicles. One is a diesel f-350. Simply because of the stories i've heard and the fight you end up with to get it right. Forgot to add oil, not using the oil as advertised, leaking out of the drain plug, not the correct oil, leaving the old oil filter in, using cheap filters and on it goes. Just too stressful even thinking about it.

Mobil 1 has a rebate.

https://promotions.mobil.com/offers/fastfurious/Home/EntryFo...

$10 off 5 qts.

For now walmart has it relatively cheap, ~$25/5 qts container.

Doing an oil change on my car is a royal pita. I need to jack it from the side using a beam attachment to the jack (https://www.harborfreight.com/steel-floor-jack-cross-beam-64...). Place jack stands then repeat on the other side. Lots of back and forth to get everything aligned right.

Then there's a cover with ~10 bolts that has to come off. Finally the oil pan and filter is accessible.

Filter is one of those cartridge types.

Thanks kia ('22 stinger).

But... thinking about EV

I used those in the past and never a problem getting the rebate.

I think the limit is four $10 rebates per household. Terms say: "Offer valid while supplies last and is limited to four (4) Gift per household."
Also in the receipt picture submission part, it says: "Limited to (4) total file uploads."

Planning to stock up on Mobil 1 from Walmart 5q containers, now $25 each.

six jugs of Castrol came this weekend. I did amazon and really hope nothing is counterfeit. I really don't think so. I always look for a cap that's already been opened and the foil seal.

I have gotten used motor oil at Walmart on one occasion and I was really mad. The clerk didn't want to even listen to what I was saying but gave me a refund.

There's a Walmart in Kennett Sq PA, that I bought oil from. It's like no other Walmart I've ever seen before. Neat and organized.

I buy my oil from Costco, my filters from GM and Hyundai, and take everything to AAA and let them do the oil change.

I used to do my own oil changes, tuneups, brake jobs, etc. but not any more. I got older and have better finances. I don't have to do it myself anymore so I don't.

I stoped after my truck rotted out. I used to be able to slide under and do it without a jack or ramps. My new car is to low to the ground and its not worth the time. I just take it in.....

I read if your parking brake is electric, you may not be able to do brakes anymore like you have for the last 40 years.

Today, you own the asset, but you rent the right to use it.

Modern cars have a firewall making it such that the device plugging into it has to have a subscription. NUTS. I cannot imagine paying someone else to do brakes, it's a huge bang for buck DIY, always has been.

Saw online a Dodge Charger had an $8000 brake job, DIY would be a fraction. My coworker said his Honda Civic $2400. In my mind, one could easily do that for $500. Why I'll drive the 2006 and 2007 forever. We were forced to buy a 2025. Nice to have disposable income

Do everything I can on my cars. Take the used oil to an auto parts store for recycling.

A YouTube saying vehicles with electric parking brakes, owner may no longer be able to DIY.

I asked the Chevy service advisor with whom we are friendly (we have to go 45 miles away where horse and buggies are parked next door) if he knew. He said he couldn't confirm but his inkling was you can't DIY.

I then found the good news on YouTube again on how to put the rear brakes in service mode so that the pistons are retracted.

I can't imagine paying for a brake job that is high margin, and so simple. Admittedly I have done pad slaps many times, but also rotors as well. Pads and rotors is the right way, but pad slaps is how most jobs are done even at shops. Imagine what we'd do if rock auto went away, we'd be like my coworker. $2400 for a Honda Civic, c'mon now.

But there is a lot we can no longer due thanks to the mfg keeping the owner out with software. VW was one of the early adopters to owners not being able to DIY.