this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2025

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Changed the oil in the car today (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 weeks ago by Wxfisch@lemmy.world to c/dull_mens_club@lemmy.world

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Changed the oil in our main daily driver, probably was a bit earlier than strictly necessary but it was past the service mileage stipulated in the manual and it’s above freezing finally. Managed to not make a mess and didn’t run into any issues. Even torqued the drain plug to within spec. Then got it washed to get rid of the salt crust from the past few weeks and wash out any oil drips from the filter the got on top of the plastic air guard.

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[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 7 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (2 children)

I considered it, but decided against it.

Fun fact: There's no flat surface around my house for doing it. Nor is it sheltered, and it usually rains sideways where I live. So my usual place to do these things is inside a 2km long mountain tunnel 5min drive from my house. There I can change oil, brakes, seasonal tyres, with no wind or precipitation, and temperature above freezing. In the middle of the tunnel there is a large excavated space on the side of the road where the snow plow turns around, so it's not like I'm blocking traffic either.

[–] Wxfisch@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago

Luckily we have a garage that’s perfectly sized to get the car on ramps and close the door. I still lay on cardboard since the concrete is cold (and to catch the errant drip). When we lived in an apartment in the city I’d usually bite the bullet and take it somewhere since we couldn’t do any car work in the parking lot. In the past I’d take it to a buddies house but then moved a few hours away so that wasn’t a choice until e bought a house a few years ago.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 1 points 4 weeks ago

You don't need a flat surface. I do mine in my sloped driveway. Just be careful with the jack (or use ramps) and be sure you're filling with the proper amount. Can't help much with the weather though other than suggesting you get really fast at it (I can do it in about 10 minutes easily) and use some scrap cardboard boxes to lay on.

[–] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

I've been needing to do mine and a friends but it's cold as shit where I am right now so we're putting it off 😅

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Even torqued the drain plug to within spec.

Did you replace the crush washer or just give it the side eye and say "yeah its good enough for another go" and put the original back on.

[–] Wxfisch@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

I’ve never replaced a crush washer on a drain plug and haven’t ever had any issues with it leaking. The pressure in the sump is so low I just don’t see there being a lot of force to necessitate it. I also always forget to grab a pack when I’m at the store so there’s that too.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

I drive a Chevrolet. What crush washer?

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Probably saved a bunch of money compared to having someone else do it!

[–] Wxfisch@lemmy.world 4 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Sure did, full synthetic oil and a filter was less than $40, would have been around $70 to take it to a quick lube place.

[–] MolecularCactus1324@lemmy.world 5 points 4 weeks ago (3 children)

I feel old reminiscing about the days when I could pay $25 for an oil change.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 3 points 4 weeks ago

You probably still can if you buy conventional oil but most cars require synthetic and the cost savings isn't worth the risk and worse protection.

[–] Wxfisch@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

If I had gone with the conventional store brand and a cheaper filter I could probably get close to $25. I like the longer intervals with synthetic though and use a bit better filter to go with that.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 1 points 3 weeks ago

I worked at a Jiffy Lube when their oil change was $20, and I don't change my own oil today. I'll do all sorts of other work, but the amount of savings I would get for doing my own oil isn't worth the time, the mess, having to take the old oil somewhere, crawling around on the ground, getting filthy.

Oil changes are usually priced at a "get you into the shop" level. You can use this to your advantage. Going to a proper shop as opposed to a quick change place, they'll be able to tell you what other things do (or don't) need attention. Then you can decide whether that's work you want to tackle on your own. If it's not something you'd like to do yourself, then you've also given a mechanical shop a "test run," and if they've passed, you can have them do the work you don't want to do.

[–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Got oil and a filter sitting in the garage. Been waiting for a warmer day. Looks like I might finally get one this week.

[–] mvirts@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

Ah thanks for the reminder!!