Why I Change My Own Oil

[Samson16]

I started as a lube tech at a Ford dealer after I graduated high school. A new coworker left the drain plug out of a 3.0 V6 Ranger. The Ranger made it 4 miles down the road before the engine seized up.

New guy had to put a reman engine in, with guidance from a couple of senior guys. He learned a valuable lesson from that, and went on to be a good mechanic.

That’s a good story.

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[HammaMan]

I'm a fordpass blue member so they'll come and pick up my vehicles, service them, and drop them back off for free if mobile service can't take care of it. Why waste time at the dealer

You should be too snake

 

[Gros Ventre]

I change my own oil because:
• I do it on my schedule...
• I use the oil I want (AmsOil for now-altho the 92 Suburban
was MobilOne for many years)
• I use the filters I want (CantonRacingProducts.com - 8µ
rated)
• An oil change affords the opportunity to install things such as the 1µ rated bypass filter now installed.
Let's be clear, the oil change places use bulk oil bought at as low a price as they can find. If they don't have the right filter they use one that fits. I change the oil in other components myself, but you know, that transmission does present challenges and so far have had the dealership do it.
Bottom line is that changing the oil myself keeps me close to the truck and what its "thinking and feeling."

 

[Snakebitten]

I'm a fordpass blue member so they'll come and pick up my vehicles, service them, and drop them back off for free if mobile service can't take care of it. Why waste time at the dealer

You should be too snake

It's a frightening thought, actually.
I would have to be standing overwatch to let them touch.

 

[Je1279]

Unless it's required in the dead of winter, I have changed the oil in my vehicles for the past 25+ years. It allows me to use the oil and filter that I choose and I am meticulous about taking my time and double checking everything during the process. If I ever was to forget the drain plug prior to adding the new oil, I would know about it prior to starting the engine and would be able to remedy the issue. I also like being hands on when it comes to vehicles, though I completely understand that not everyone is like me.

 

[Gutshot]

I change the oil in my mini fleet of hoopties, and my truck also.
Way cheaper, my own schedule, I actually enjoy it, and because the last time I paid for it to be done on my well used 2001 focus, they cross threaded the plug, still pisses my off to this day.
And finally because I take the used oil to a local shop that uses it for winter heat in their furnace, try to keep it local!

 

[JJSnell]

For what it's worth... former friend Rick Johnson, did his own oil change in his garage.... drained the oil, went to put new oil in, put cap on, pulled truck out of garage and entire floor was covered in oil cuz he forgot the oil pan bolt....
Former friend, Rick Johnson, Spokane, Wash.

 

[RT21KRH]

(this is not mine, BTW, just copying this from a reddit post but OMG...)

I’ve done about 10 oil changes in 45,000 miles in my 21 Powerboost. I use a factory or Mobil 1 filter with Mobil 1 5W-30. I enter the service in Ford Pass and attach photo of the process with mileage. Why do I do it? Usually the dealer quick lube will over tighten the filter and spill oil all over the skid plate. The oil builds up and eventually you remove the skid plate and clean it. (did this on 13 EB). Whole process takes 1 hour maybe 1.5 if you’re not in a hurry, recycle oil at AutoZone. As snake said the hardest part is getting up off the garage floor.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

I have always changed my own oil, and I'm still doing it to this day. Like @Snakebitten says mostly because I don't want to admit I'm to old to crawl under my truck anymore.

Everyone can make a mistake!

As a young man, 17, I started life working as a mechanic while going to school. This was about 1979. Weekend work at the shop was always tire and oil changes. Well, one Saturday morning I pulled a 78 Olds 88 "new car" in the shop for oil and snow tires. Trying to be Industrious I put the car up, pulled the filter and drain plug. Then while draining I went on to change the tires. Went back installed the filter and drain plug. Dropped the car, filled the oil and backed it out. The customer then paid and went to retrieve his car and pulled away. Well, the Boss saw a huge oil trail in the lot and stopped him before leaving, thank goodness! Because I never checked, and the old filter gasket was still stuck on the block and blew out immediately. Huge mistake! At the end of the day the Boss pulled me aside and said, I'm not going to fire you, I see you're a very hard worker and trying to make good time for the shop, In the future I want slower meticulous work and not a show of speed. I thanked him, lesson learned. and from that day forward I always double check my work.

 

[Gros Ventre]

For me getting up off the garage floor is a several step evolution... Also I'm working on using that synthetic oil in my joints... they seem to make too much noise these days...

 

[HammaMan]

As snake said the hardest part is getting up off the garage floor.

Seems gravity increases a solid 10% each year. Damn climate change.

 

[JExpedition07]

I enjoy cars and working on my own stuff so I’m not going to let a dealer tech do it. Also every time someone else has worked on my trucks they stain a seat or shear a bolt. No thanks.

By the way I am overdue to rotate my tires, I’m at 12,000 miles. Planning on doing it this weekend. Do I have to retrain the TPMS monitors when I cross them?

 

[Samson16]

Bottom line is that changing the oil myself keeps me close to the truck and what its "thinking and feeling."

I don't do my own anymore and I miss that closeness. I try and spend time under and around the truck as best I can and I often drive without any music or other sound so I can listen to it.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I don't do my own anymore and I miss that closeness. I try and spend time under and around the truck as best I can and I often drive without any music or other sound so I can listen to it.

I did nearly all of the work on my 92 Suburban for 30 years... brake pads, calipers, hoses... Axle changes... fuel pump replacements... you get the idea... In the end I'm moving into that realm of life where I'm rethinking some of that... I do plan on keeping this truck for a long time. I find the engineering & design by Ford to be elegant and well thought out. With a good progressive maintenance plan it'll outlive me...

 

[fordtruckman2003]

My mom's Ecosport didn't make it out of the lot before the front wheel fell off. Apparently it's in the way for oil change. Young guy in the shop. Body damage but didn't mess up the studs. They fixed it up and the young guy had the cost taken out of his pay for a few months. He won't make that mistake again.

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