Good Place To Get An Oil Change ..

miramballer · May 28, 2009

For my first oil change, I got it done at the dealership. I'm not gonna do that again, just cause it's a hassle. I know on these forums, I am dealing with a lot of people that change there own oil, but I am trying to get some opinions on good places to go and get my oil changed. Thanks fellas

cvflats · May 29, 2009

For my first oil change, I got it done at the dealership. I'm not gonna do that again, just cause it's a hassle. I know on these forums, I am dealing with a lot of people that change there own oil, but I am trying to get some opinions on good places to go and get my oil changed. Thanks fellas

stay away from jiffy lube. You should really learn to do it yourself. It is not hard and is pretty satisfying to take care of your truck. For the money you spend on someone else doing it you can get good oil.

georgecdisc · May 29, 2009

For my first oil change, I got it done at the dealership. I'm not gonna do that again, just cause it's a hassle. I know on these forums, I am dealing with a lot of people that change there own oil, but I am trying to get some opinions on good places to go and get my oil changed. Thanks fellas

I change my own oil, it is simple, quick, and I know what is going in. If I was to go to a place to get it done, I would expect the same. I don't want some Jiffy Lube going through and checking my AC, tire pressure, etc etc... just do my oil. I would also want to have a good synthetic oil, Mobil 1 or Amsoil (preference). Find a place that will put in the oil YOU want, has a decent price, uses a GOOD FILTER, and doesn't take forever to do the job. I wouldn't put any faith in a high volume oil change place, as they are there to just shuffle cars in and out making quick money. From my experience they usually put in a cheap filter. You might be lucky and have a local shop that will do it relatively cheap but done with a good filter. I bought a filter and oil once, had them use what I bought and did the change for me, granted they also scoped out some other issues with my truck.

Is there any problem with doing it yourself? Just curious as to why you would prefer to have some place do it for you. I enjoy the fact that when I do the job it is done properly. Way too many nightmare stories of shops not actually replacing a filter, overfilling the oil, under filling, over/under tightening filters. I feel more secure doing it myself.

Airspeed-Alive · May 29, 2009

I'm another Do-It-Yourself'er. I just dont trust these other shops, other than the GM Dealer. One guy cross-threaded my filler cap. The others didn't grease my ball joints like they said they would. Never do. Plus the quick in and outs obviously dont take enough time to drain all the oil out. I always put the drain plug in when there are no more drips. Takes a while, but it's something I do.

Small things add up.

georgecdisc · May 29, 2009

I'm another Do-It-Yourself'er. I just dont trust these other shops, other than the GM Dealer. One guy cross-threaded my filler cap. The others didn't grease my ball joints like they said they would. Never do. Plus the quick in and outs obviously dont take enough time to drain all the oil out. I always put the drain plug in when there are no more drips. Takes a while, but it's something I do.

Small things add up.

Always seems like these shops are cutting corners, doing a lousy job. I would highly recommend investing in a filter clamp, oil pan, and wrench. With a truck this job is super easy, don't need a jack to get underneath. Filter and drain plug are super easy to get access to (my '98 Silverado was above the front drive shaft, not as easy to get to with a clamp).

Jnk · May 29, 2009

I'm another Do-It-Yourself'er. I just dont trust these other shops, other than the GM Dealer. One guy cross-threaded my filler cap. The others didn't grease my ball joints like they said they would. Never do. Plus the quick in and outs obviously dont take enough time to drain all the oil out. I always put the drain plug in when there are no more drips. Takes a while, but it's something I do.

Small things add up.

Always seems like these shops are cutting corners, doing a lousy job. I would highly recommend investing in a filter clamp, oil pan, and wrench. With a truck this job is super easy, don't need a jack to get underneath. Filter and drain plug are super easy to get access to (my '98 Silverado was above the front drive shaft, not as easy to get to with a clamp).

+1 The first couple of oil changes on my truck were done at the dealer. Then I decided to do it myself and switch to synthetic. It's cheaper and guarandamnteed to be right. One look at the dirty fingerprints from a tech on your hood is all it will take to change your mind. (you think those dirty hands only touch the outside? Imagine your seats and rest of interior.)

lbkthree · May 29, 2009

I still go to the dealer. I have good luck with mine probably because I once dated his daughter. And they only charge 11.99 for everything and that is to anybody and any car make. So, I can't complain. Beats doing it myself and dealing with the used oil.

miramballer · May 29, 2009

Main reason I dont want to do it my self is that I did mine on my old Dodge and remeber spilling a little in the drivewway .. dont really have a good area to do it

unit731 · May 29, 2009

I agree with those that change their oil themselves. Go for it if you can. I have done it many a time on other vehicles.

I presently go the selling new vehicle dealer. Not much of a hassle for me.

If, for whatever reason, you cannot do oil change yourself, and you don't want dealer, then find a good honest local independent mechanic. Some areas this seems to be easier or harder to do/find.

I have many years ago gone to a fast giffy lube type place. I just don't like the idea of some 'kid' poking around all over my engine and pulling out the air filter and such or suggesting a transmission 'special' and new wiper blades, etc.

Try to find an honest independent mechanic in your local area. Ask around. Elks, Lions, Legion, or church or someplace you can find good people to give you a recommendation.

P'cola Denali · May 29, 2009

We have these American Lube Fast places, they do good work on the few things I will let them touch. But if it isn't Wix filters going on I won't let them change my oil. Castrol in the Rovers and the Jag, Mobile 1 in the GMC's or anything American. I mean every lubricant in my cars is brand matched, and every filter is Wix. I know all the rednecks think Fram is great but their filters are shit, do a little research, you will be shocked.

I would find a good local mechanic that will let you bring him the oil and filters you want used, and he does the work in his shop, since he has a oil dump and a rack, which is great at maing the job a breeze.

georgecdisc · May 29, 2009

Main reason I dont want to do it my self is that I did mine on my old Dodge and remeber spilling a little in the drivewway .. dont really have a good area to do it

You could do this oil change no problem then with the 900 trucks. Oil filter is located at bottom of oil pan, SUPER EASY ACCESS. Drain plug is right close to it. If you get oil on the ground it is because the gravitational force on earth changed to a horizontal direction. It can be done with one of those small portable oil containers (you drain into it then screw on the top and bring it to a disposal location). With a real drain pan (18" diameter) you could probably catch both oil from filter and drain plug without moving the pan. A large oil drain pan from Autozone is like $3. Definitely take this route, learn how to do it effectively and efficiently.

P'cola Denali · May 29, 2009

Doing it yourself is your best bet, you know for sure its perfect but if you don't want to tango with it I would find a good mechanic.

georgecdisc · May 29, 2009

We have these American Lube Fast places, they do good work on the few things I will let them touch. But if it isn't Wix filters going on I won't let them change my oil. Castrol in the Rovers and the Jag, Mobile 1 in the GMC's or anything American. I mean every lubricant in my cars is brand matched, and every filter is Wix. I know all the rednecks think Fram is great but their filters are shit, do a little research, you will be shocked.
I would find a good local mechanic that will let you bring him the oil and filters you want used, and he does the work in his shop, since he has a oil dump and a rack, which is great at maing the job a breeze.

+1. This is the best alternative to doing it yourself.

miramballer · May 29, 2009

Guess I might have to learn how to do it myself .. I have a V6, and drive mostly city, Should I go with synthetic or would that be a waste?

Airspeed-Alive · May 29, 2009

Main reason I dont want to do it my self is that I did mine on my old Dodge and remeber spilling a little in the drivewway .. dont really have a good area to do it

You could do this oil change no problem then with the 900 trucks. Oil filter is located at bottom of oil pan, SUPER EASY ACCESS. Drain plug is right close to it. If you get oil on the ground it is because the gravitational force on earth changed to a horizontal direction. It can be done with one of those small portable oil containers (you drain into it then screw on the top and bring it to a disposal location). With a real drain pan (18" diameter) you could probably catch both oil from filter and drain plug without moving the pan. A large oil drain pan from Autozone is like $3. Definitely take this route, learn how to do it effectively and efficiently.

+1 - You'll thank yourself.