New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB


Hi again, gang. I hope everyone has been great.

Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
again with my Toyota
friends.

Only this time I have a surprise! I did my first-ever oil change the
other day! It was a
real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
participants in this newsgroup
for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
folks like
Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. I also must not
forget to thank the
author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."

I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.

PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB


"Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota@hotmail,com > wrote in>
> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>
> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)

Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for something
as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
decide to collapse.
I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth not
risking being crushed under your vehicle. There's nothing like the feeling
of having your car removed from your cold, dead chest. : - )
If you continue changing your own oil, please never do it without someone
else in your household being present so that they can call 911. Because you
won't be able to.

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB


"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message
news:i31Yj.995$qQ5.54@fe091.usenetserver,com ...

> I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
> drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
> additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth not
> risking being crushed under your vehicle.

I had the oil changed in our 2007 Avalon at Yokem Toyota in Shreveport for
the 5000 mile interval. I did it myself for the next interval... I found
that Yokem
had not tightened the oil drain plug...Thank goodness it did not vibrate
out.

I was able to remove it with my bare fingers.

That is why the seven or eight bucks means something to me.

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

"HLS" <nospam@nospam.nix> wrote in message
news:OV1Yj.2038$l97.983@flpi144.ffdc.sbc,com ...
>
> "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message
> news:i31Yj.995$qQ5.54@fe091.usenetserver,com ...
>
>> I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
>> drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
>> additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth
>> not risking being crushed under your vehicle.
>
> I had the oil changed in our 2007 Avalon at Yokem Toyota in Shreveport for
> the 5000 mile interval. I did it myself for the next interval... I found
> that Yokem
> had not tightened the oil drain plug...Thank goodness it did not vibrate
> out.
>
> I was able to remove it with my bare fingers.
>
> That is why the seven or eight bucks means something to me.


What did the service manager say when you called him about this and ripped
him a new asshole?

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB



mack wrote:

> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for something
> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> decide to collapse.

That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
change the oil? I just reach underneath.

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

"larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja,com > wrote in message
news:a7a07cca-b5dc-408e-9091-5180e7d6661d@j33g2000pri.googlegroups,com ...
>
>
> mack wrote:
>
>> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
>> something
>> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
>> decide to collapse.
>
> That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> change the oil? I just reach underneath.


Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
car ever made?

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB



JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

> "larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja,com > wrote in message
> news:a7a07cca-b5dc-408e-9091-5180e7d6661d@j33g2000pri.googlegroups,com ...
> >
> > mack wrote:
> >
> >> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
> >> something as minor as oil running down your arm if your
> >> jackstands or ramps ever decide to collapse.
> >
> > That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> > change the oil? I just reach underneath.
>
> Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
> car ever made?

My experience is limited to only about six different cars, all with
low ground clearance, but I was always able to change the oil without
raising the car, even back when I weighed 80 lbs. more than I do now
and wasn't nearly as flexible.



I was able to

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

One of the few things we can say for sure with *NO EXCEPTIONS* is that
you are an unmatched JACKA$$ (at least until Learning Richard shows
up).


On May 18, 9:29 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborea...@yahoo,com > wrote:
> "larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencu...@my-deja,com > wrote in messagenews:a7a07cca-b5dc-408e-9091-5180e7d6661d@j33g2000pri.googlegroups,com ...
>
>
>
> > mack wrote:
>
> >> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea.   You'll wish for
> >> something
> >> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> >> decide to collapse.
>
> > That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> > change the oil?  I just reach underneath.
>
> Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
> car ever made?

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

My 1979 Celica requires me to raise the car a few inches to access the
filter. My '95 avalon's filter is accessable from under the hood (although
it leaves a mess when removed). I had a 1970 Chevelle (307 v8) that didn't
have to be raised to get the filter.

"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis@yahoo,com > wrote in message
news:VJ4Yj.1646$Gk7.143@fe113.usenetserver,com ...
> "larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja,com > wrote in message
> news:a7a07cca-b5dc-408e-9091-5180e7d6661d@j33g2000pri.googlegroups,com ...
> >
> >
> > mack wrote:
> >
> >> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
> >> something
> >> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> >> decide to collapse.
> >
> > That's so true, but why does the car have to be raised at all to
> > change the oil? I just reach underneath.
>
>
> Can this be done on all cars, with no exceptions dating back to the first
> car ever made?
>
>

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

mack wrote:

> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for something
> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> decide to collapse.
> I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
> drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
> additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth not
> risking being crushed under your vehicle.

Very few vehicles require ramps or jackstands in order to change the
oil. The problem with those oil change places is that they often do a
very poor job, and they use the worst quality parts they can buy.

The three Toyotas I've had have all been very easy to change the oil on,
with the Camry being the easiest to get to the filter.

The place I used to go for oil changes, a local independent shop, was
not only about $10 less expensive than Jiffy Lube, they did a better
job, and used better parts for their regular customers (they had OEM
filters as well as jobber filters).

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message news:i31Yj.995$qQ5.54@fe091.usenetserver,com ...
>
> "Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota@hotmail,com > wrote in>
>> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>>
>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
>> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
>> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>
> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for something
> as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or ramps ever
> decide to collapse.
> I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
> drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
> additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth not
> risking being crushed under your vehicle. There's nothing like the feeling
> of having your car removed from your cold, dead chest. : - )
> If you continue changing your own oil, please never do it without someone
> else in your household being present so that they can call 911. Because you
> won't be able to.

I own 1995 camry with 4-cyl engine and there is no need to rise vehicle
for this job. The oil pan fits under the car with plenty of room for
your hand to remove the drain plug. I loosen it with a wrench then
put the pan underneath and complete remove the plug.
The oil filter is right there looking at you when you open the hood.
Very easy to do and rising vehicle would add unnecesary hassle to the job.

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB


"Pszemol" <Pszemol@PolBox,com > wrote in message
news:g0rq7v.e6k.0@poczta.onet.pl...
> "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message
> news:i31Yj.995$qQ5.54@fe091.usenetserver,com ...
>>
>> "Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota@hotmail,com > wrote in>
>>> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>>>
>>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
>>> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
>>> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>>
>> Staying safe under the chassis is the main idea. You'll wish for
>> something as minor as oil running down your arm if your jackstands or
>> ramps ever decide to collapse.
>> I quit changing my own oil (although I've enjoyed the knowledge that the
>> drain plug is indeed in place and tight when I'm done) simply because the
>> additional seven or eight bucks spent at the oil change place is worth
>> not risking being crushed under your vehicle. There's nothing like the
>> feeling of having your car removed from your cold, dead chest. : - )
>> If you continue changing your own oil, please never do it without someone
>> else in your household being present so that they can call 911. Because
>> you won't be able to.
>
> I own 1995 camry with 4-cyl engine and there is no need to rise vehicle
> for this job. The oil pan fits under the car with plenty of room for
> your hand to remove the drain plug. I loosen it with a wrench then
> put the pan underneath and complete remove the plug.
> The oil filter is right there looking at you when you open the hood.
> Very easy to do and rising vehicle would add unnecesary hassle to the job.

I don't know how you can get far enough under the car to unscrew the drain
plug, unless your arms are about five feet long....and the oil receptacle
must be pretty shallow to fit underneath the car.
Another reason for not changing your own oil is that, unless you want to
pour a gallon of used oil on your back yard, just taking the used oil back
to an auto parts store to a recycling vat will cost you at least a half
gallon of gas for the round trip, which at today's gasoline price will add
another two bucks to your total expense.
As for getting suckered into changing other fluids at an oil change place, I
find that it's very effective to simply smile at the mechanic who offers
these services and use the time-honored phrase "No, thanks."

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

.
>
> I don't know how you can get far enough under the car to unscrew the drain
> plug, unless your arms are about five feet long....and the oil receptacle
> must be pretty shallow to fit underneath the car.
> Another reason for not changing your own oil is that, unless you want to
> pour a gallon of used oil on your back yard, just taking the used oil back
> to an auto parts store to a recycling vat will cost you at least a half
> gallon of gas for the round trip, which at today's gasoline price will add
> another two bucks to your total expense.




I bring my used oil in when purchasing oil and filter for my next change.
There is no particular hurry to recycle it.
Steve


> As for getting suckered into changing other fluids at an oil change place,
> I find that it's very effective to simply smile at the mechanic who offers
> these services and use the time-honored phrase "No, thanks."
>

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB

"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message news:7NjYj.43971$941.27308@fe101.usenetserver,com ...
>> I own 1995 camry with 4-cyl engine and there is no need to rise vehicle
>> for this job. The oil pan fits under the car with plenty of room for
>> your hand to remove the drain plug. I loosen it with a wrench then
>> put the pan underneath and complete remove the plug.
>> The oil filter is right there looking at you when you open the hood.
>> Very easy to do and rising vehicle would add unnecesary hassle to the job.
>
> I don't know how you can get far enough under the car to unscrew the drain
> plug, unless your arms are about five feet long....and the oil receptacle
> must be pretty shallow to fit underneath the car.

Well, I can asure you that my arms are not five feet long and I can do it :-)
Oil pan is right behind the car radiator in the front. The drain plug is
in the 2/3 to the back of the oil pan. Really no problem to feel it
with your extended hand when you lay on your back on the floor/creeper...

My oil receptacle is a very simple, standard oil pan like this one:
http :// www .jmtools.cn/images/oil_drain_pan1.jpg.jpg

> Another reason for not changing your own oil is that, unless you want to
> pour a gallon of used oil on your back yard, just taking the used oil back
> to an auto parts store to a recycling vat will cost you at least a half
> gallon of gas for the round trip, which at today's gasoline price will add
> another two bucks to your total expense.

Good point, but you should not have to make a separate trip to do this!

In my case, the closest place I can return used oil for recycling
is Pep Boys. It is located at the street mall together with Sam's Club,
Walmart, Kohls, Target, Office Max, Petco, my Bank and several
other stores. I just pour oil back into the bottles and put it
into the trunk. Next time I go to any of these stores I drop the
oil at the Pep Boys at no additional cost or fuel wasted.

Find a similarly located place for your oil recycle needs.

Please note also, that saving money is not the main reason
for doing oil changes yourself. In my case I do it for convenience
(I can do it any time, even Sunday when all stores are closed)
and to be sure it is done right. I know what oil I used, I know what
level is there after the job (how often do they overfill the car?) and
that my plug is not cross-threaded. My friend got recently a dispute
with a store where they cross-threaded his drain plug and he had
to get a new oil pan and pay for labor for exchanging it. There was
no way to prove who did it unless you pay $$$ for attorney...
I had a similar case when I got tempted with low price tire rotation.
I got a coupon for $9.99 job and I got lazy - next time I got a flat
tire it turned out TWO studs where cross-threaded and I had to
tow the vehicle. This turned out to be a very expensive tire-rotation job!
Never again I would get tempted - lesson learned the hard way.

> As for getting suckered into changing other fluids at an oil change place, I
> find that it's very effective to simply smile at the mechanic who offers
> these services and use the time-honored phrase "No, thanks."

Agree.
The most common upsale item is the air filter, also easy to do yourself.

Re: New initiate to OIL CHANGE CLUB


On Mon, 19 May 2008 14:06:44 -0500, "Pszemol" <Pszemol@PolBox,com >
wrote:

>"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme,com > wrote in message news:7NjYj.43971$941.27308@fe101.usenetserver,com ...
>>> I own 1995 camry with 4-cyl engine and there is no need to rise vehicle
>>> for this job. The oil pan fits under the car with plenty of room for
>>> your hand to remove the drain plug. I loosen it with a wrench then
>>> put the pan underneath and complete remove the plug.
>>> The oil filter is right there looking at you when you open the hood.
>>> Very easy to do and rising vehicle would add unnecesary hassle to the job.
>>
>> I don't know how you can get far enough under the car to unscrew the drain
>> plug, unless your arms are about five feet long....and the oil receptacle
>> must be pretty shallow to fit underneath the car.
>
>Well, I can asure you that my arms are not five feet long and I can do it :-)
>Oil pan is right behind the car radiator in the front. The drain plug is
>in the 2/3 to the back of the oil pan. Really no problem to feel it
>with your extended hand when you lay on your back on the floor/creeper...
>
>My oil receptacle is a very simple, standard oil pan like this one:
> http :// www .jmtools.cn/images/oil_drain_pan1.jpg.jpg
>
>> Another reason for not changing your own oil is that, unless you want to
>> pour a gallon of used oil on your back yard, just taking the used oil back
>> to an auto parts store to a recycling vat will cost you at least a half
>> gallon of gas for the round trip, which at today's gasoline price will add
>> another two bucks to your total expense.
>
>Good point, but you should not have to make a separate trip to do this!
>
>In my case, the closest place I can return used oil for recycling
>is Pep Boys. It is located at the street mall together with Sam's Club,
>Walmart, Kohls, Target, Office Max, Petco, my Bank and several
>other stores. I just pour oil back into the bottles and put it
>into the trunk. Next time I go to any of these stores I drop the
>oil at the Pep Boys at no additional cost or fuel wasted.
>
>Find a similarly located place for your oil recycle needs.
>
>Please note also, that saving money is not the main reason
>for doing oil changes yourself. In my case I do it for convenience
>(I can do it any time, even Sunday when all stores are closed)
>and to be sure it is done right. I know what oil I used, I know what
>level is there after the job (how often do they overfill the car?) and
>that my plug is not cross-threaded. My friend got recently a dispute
>with a store where they cross-threaded his drain plug and he had
>to get a new oil pan and pay for labor for exchanging it. There was
>no way to prove who did it unless you pay $$$ for attorney...
>I had a similar case when I got tempted with low price tire rotation.
>I got a coupon for $9.99 job and I got lazy - next time I got a flat
>tire it turned out TWO studs where cross-threaded and I had to
>tow the vehicle. This turned out to be a very expensive tire-rotation job!
>Never again I would get tempted - lesson learned the hard way.
>
>> As for getting suckered into changing other fluids at an oil change place, I
>> find that it's very effective to simply smile at the mechanic who offers
>> these services and use the time-honored phrase "No, thanks."
>
>Agree.
>The most common upsale item is the air filter, also easy to do yourself.

I have been changing oil and filters on 3 cars an a pickup for years -
it's no big deal. I prefer to use Mobil 1 and good filters rather
than the el cheapos (e.g., Fram) used in the chains. They charge a
drastic markup for synthetic oil. My son worked for one of the chains
while home for the summer from college, so I am familiar with their
tactics.