3 ms·

Emissions testing is only once every other year, and changing oil is easy to do at home and takes less than an hour including gathering the tools and cleaning u

Emissions testing is only once every other year, and changing oil is easy to do at home and takes less than an hour including gathering the tools and cleaning up after. Every time I've rented a car it's been a substantial hassle, and I've felt anxious about how much it might cost me if something happened to the car while I was responsible for it. Different people have different ideas about what's a pain.

Toutouxc 3y ago
> changing oil is easy to do at home and takes less than an hour including gathering the tools and cleaning up If you already own and know everything you need, yes. Most regular people don’t own a jack capable of lifting the car high enough. Most people don’t own jack stands to make getting under the car safe. Most people don’t own an oil filter wrench. Most people in cities can’t just do all this on the street without getting their legs run over. Most people don’t know how to dispose of motor oil. Most people don’t know or are not allowed to know which oil to buy and how much (my car’s manual doesn’t say that).
- wenc 3y ago
  Absolutely. The cost benefit analysis of changing your oil vs getting it done at your mechanic's tilts heavily toward the latter, especially if you only own one car. I get full service 5W20 oil change (with fluids top up, oil disposal while no effort and have the assurance that the job will done impeccably) in under 20 minutes for $29 at my local mechanic. I do this 3 times a year, and it's $87. Whereas I were to do it myself, I'd have to invest in $274 worth of equipment, and the 5W20 itself is about $15. It'll take about 20 oil changes to break even (roughly 6 years) and then after you'll really only be saving $42 a year, not to mention the time cost and oil disposal hassle. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27169631/how-to-change-oil-in-car/ https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27169631/how-to-chang...
  - bittercynic 3y ago
    I don't quite agree with the economic assessment, as I need the jack, jack stands, wrench for the drain plug, etc. for other maintenance and repair tasks, too. The only single-purpose tool is the oil filter wrench, and that was about $10. Can't argue with your bottom line, though. Even if I consider my time free, I don't really come out ahead. But - I like changing oil in my car. I get to see the oil as it drains out, the color of it, if it's the amount I expect to see, or if the car's burned some since the last change. It's an excuse to look around under the car and notice if there's any unexpected damage. It just feels good to personally take care of a piece of the infrastructure I depend on. I think there's one other big advantage of your way, though: you're maintaining a relationship with a mechanic who you trust.

Toutouxc 3y ago

> changing oil is easy to do at home and takes less than an hour including gathering the tools and cleaning up If you already own and know everything you need, yes. Most regular people don’t own a jack capable of lifting the car high enough. Most people don’t own jack stands to make getting under the car safe. Most people don’t own an oil filter wrench. Most people in cities can’t just do all this on the street without getting their legs run over. Most people don’t know how to dispose of motor oil. Most people don’t know or are not allowed to know which oil to buy and how much (my car’s manual doesn’t say that).

wenc 3y ago
Absolutely. The cost benefit analysis of changing your oil vs getting it done at your mechanic's tilts heavily toward the latter, especially if you only own one car. I get full service 5W20 oil change (with fluids top up, oil disposal while no effort and have the assurance that the job will done impeccably) in under 20 minutes for $29 at my local mechanic. I do this 3 times a year, and it's $87. Whereas I were to do it myself, I'd have to invest in $274 worth of equipment, and the 5W20 itself is about $15. It'll take about 20 oil changes to break even (roughly 6 years) and then after you'll really only be saving $42 a year, not to mention the time cost and oil disposal hassle. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27169631/how-to-change-oil-in-car/ https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27169631/how-to-chang...
- bittercynic 3y ago
  I don't quite agree with the economic assessment, as I need the jack, jack stands, wrench for the drain plug, etc. for other maintenance and repair tasks, too. The only single-purpose tool is the oil filter wrench, and that was about $10. Can't argue with your bottom line, though. Even if I consider my time free, I don't really come out ahead. But - I like changing oil in my car. I get to see the oil as it drains out, the color of it, if it's the amount I expect to see, or if the car's burned some since the last change. It's an excuse to look around under the car and notice if there's any unexpected damage. It just feels good to personally take care of a piece of the infrastructure I depend on. I think there's one other big advantage of your way, though: you're maintaining a relationship with a mechanic who you trust.