Why I should learn to change my own oil...

[soulsea]

The only thought I would add to the opposite argument is the following ... whereas it is true that most folks get ripped off all the time by dealer service prices, it is also those same clueless folks who are one's potential customers when one goes to sell their truck. And to them, the whole 'dealer serviced/full service history' matters and and are willing to pay more for the vehicle to have what they perceive as piece of mind. So from my end, although I know that I'm being overcharged, I still take my trucks to the dealer for all their scheduled maintenance ... in the long run, it has been my experience that I lose less money this way.

 

[RedRocker]

The only caveat to that is the oil filter is so close to the pan I've resorted to K&N oil filters with the nut on the bottom. This ensures that i'll be able to get it off and on easily and at the correct tightness because a normal filter wrench has a hard time fitting around the filter right next to that oil pan.

I'm so glad I read this, I had no idea that K&N had oil filters with a nut on the bottom, the normal ones are a PITA for sure.

 

[R_Sharpe]

My burb has 125k on it and runs perfect. I'm personally not scared by mileage as long as they are well maintained miles. We plan on keeping our burb for at least another 13 years until the kids are out of high school. By then it'll probably have 300k on it but I'm good with that these LS motors will run forever if taken care of properly. The transmission may be another story but we will cross that bridge when we come to it LOL

I really love my truck, and I don't want to get rid of it, but every time I get a little bit irritated with it, my first thought is to abandon ship, lol. My truck has been fairly well maintained, but their have been moments where uhm, lets just say I wasn't being responsible with it... The reason I'm concerned is, next year I'm moving to Orlando all by my lonesome, and in the event of something messing up, I'm not gonna have my family support-group at my door to help me, lol. Butttt, I also realize that as long as I have a phone & and internet connection, I'll be able to get in touch with someone who can help me. And, I've vowed to NEVER again take my truck on "Brimstone" (outdoor recreation area/mountain primarily made for ATVs & UTVs...), and to stay out of the mud... I'm gonna do my best to keep it very well-maintained from this point forward, because in reality, I could never get rid of my truck... I'm emotionally attached to my car like nobody's business, lol. It was the last gift my dad got to buy for me before he died last year, and so as you can imagine, it's special... My cousin has actually said before that these engines are really dependable & long-lasting, and I hope he's right... For the most part, I've not had any problems with my car, so I shouldn't complain about getting ripped on some routine maintenance, lol... Thanks for chilling me out, haha!


I realize a few moments ago, I was ready to sell, and now I'm dead-set on keeping it, haha... Please excuse my teenage mood-swings, lmbo... And again, thanks for talking me down, whether you meant to or not .

 

[ChrisAU]

Your truck left the factory with synthetic oil I believe. And also, if that was a price for a conventional oil change, then you got taken to the wood shed. Most places around here will do that for $20-$30.

 

[njracer]

And yes, sadly, I'm still using conventional oil... I was told that switching to synthetic would potentially "clog" my engine? WTF...

If any shop or mechanic said that to me, I would have walked out and NEVER return.