Price for oil change

[moddog]

I was at my dealer today and seeing I am out of my free oil changes. I ask him how much for the oil change if I buy the Mobil 1 and bring it in. He said $14.95 I think that is pretty good how about you.

[stealthsrt8]

before i decided to DIY i asked my local dealer the same question, he quoted 19.99 including mopar filter.

[millertimelv]

can't really beat that... sounds good 2 me

[marcw]

I used to change my own oil all the time. Now it is easier to pay someone to do it. I'm taking mine in to the dealer Thursday for a lube and to check some noises. Less than $20 sounds good to me.

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by marcw

I used to change my own oil all the time. Now it is easier to pay someone to do it. I'm taking mine in to the dealer Thursday for a lube and to check some noises. Less than $20 sounds good to me.

sure it's easier to pay someone to do it, but is it better? Keep in mind the guy changing oil at the dealership is not their top technician; he's the kid who worked at the quickie lube place last week.

I'd to it myself even if the dealer would do it for free, if only to avoid the stripped out drain plugs, overtightened filters, and oily fingerprints on my car!

[IronMedic]

most of the dealers charge me around $30-40 for a change over here.

[EricG]

I'd to it myself even if the dealer would do it for free, if only to avoid the stripped out drain plugs, overtightened filters, and oily fingerprints on my car!

Can you quantify just how tight those things should be for a new DIY'er? I wrestled and coached wrestling for a number of years so I really like to clamp stuff down with my hands. I was wondering on my oil change last weekend if I was getting things too tight.

Eric

[2005_300c]

that price is not using good oil, I do my own using mobil 1 every 4000 miles
$5 bucks a qaurt


05 300c 23k mesh grill

[CJ7VFR]

most of the dealers charge me around $30-40 for a change over here.

The others are refering to brinigng in their own Mobil 1 oil, giving it to the
dealer, and having them do the actual work. The only actual parts the
dealer is supplying is the new filter.

So, for 20 bucks, thats not bad.

But I have to agree with KevinJ. Even at that cheap price, if you can do it
yourself, the peace of mind that it was done right is worth more than the
20 bucks.

How many times do we read about people having oil changes at the dealer,
and they leave the drain plugs too loose, and the people come home, only
to find a puddle in the driveway the next day. Or, when the kid at the dealer
scratches the car, or gets the seats dirty, or they find greasy/oily hand
prints not just on the outside of the car, but on the interior!

Like it was stated before, oil changes are done by the LOWEST paid person
in the shop who three days ago was bagging groceries at the local Shoprite.

I find that doing the oil changes myself gives me the peace of mind that the
job was done right, the FIRST time. And it makes me feel good to know that
I can do it myself, and save a few bucks for some other mods or beer!

Can you quantify just how tight those things should be for a new DIY'er?

When installing oil filters, they should go on as tight as you can get them
by HAND. Don't use any wrenches to tighten them down. If you over
tighten them, you can distort the rubber gasket and cause a leak.

You should always coat the rubber gasket of the new filter with some new
oil before you put it on. You can do this by opening up one of your new
quarts of oil, putting some oil on the end of your finger, and wiping your
finger on the rubber gasket until its coated with oil, then put the filter on.

I have done it this way for over 25 years, as that is what my dad taught
me, and I have NEVER had an oil filter leak or come loose.

As for the drain plug, there is an actual torque figure recommended in your
owners manual if you want to be perfect about getting it on to the right
number.

But, what I have done all these years is to put the drain plug in by hand
until it comes in contact with the oil pan, and I can't tighten it up any more
by hand, and then I give it another quarter to half a turn with my wrench
to snug it up.

Again, you don't want to mash it on so tight that as KevenJ said, that the
threads get messed up, or you can't get it off again!

Jim

[EricG]

Thanks Jim, great info!

Eric