Bad experience at Mr. Lube (Question about changing own oil)

[richaceg]

That's right . Codes don't tell you what is needed to make the fix . Wanted to see what the experience dealer had to say . After I found out that it would cost me $1100 plus taxes I said forget it .Then afterwards my buddy told me about his mechanic . The service light went out but I still brought it to him . No charge to read the code . A $20 fix and that was it . Many people trust the dealer . I don't . They can be just as crocked as any garage on the street .

I would have brought my truck to my mechanic but he retired so I had no choice but to bring it to the dealer at that time. Now I have a new mechanic that I trust .

That's right it's easy to take money from a fool . I don't pay over $150 for a simple oil change when I can do it myself for half the price . Time is money . People could be doing their own oil change instead of yapping on Terb . LOL

You said it yourself, time is money...I can leave my vehicle to my mechanice and pay less than $50 for an oil change...yes, whatever is important to you might not be valuable to me...

 

[richaceg]

People may think that it's only saving a few dollars, but it's more about the control you have. Doing it whenever you want, no appointments, no waiting, no hassles with the upsell. Knowing that you are getting a proper oil change. Plus it feels good to do things yourself, and it seems like a lot of fun. I think I can save $100. That is like 5 hours pay for me. So why not?

I would like to teach myself more about cars so I can do other things such as brakes, etc... But one step at a time.

Another skill that I invested in is cooking. Before I could not cook to save my life. Now I can cook anything, often better than your average restaurant. It's so fun to cook, and nice to be able to eat anything I want whenever, without going to a restataurant, waiting, overpaying, and having to tip.

The point is that I would like to acquire as many skills as I can to better myself. If I can save money on top of it, it's a bonus.

again it all comes down to what you really want to do, how much time you have for it and savings...some of us simply don't have that, there are trust worthy mechanics around the GTA....I used to go to crappy tire, greenross, mr lube for oil change, but honestly, most of their staff only know the basics like brakes, tires alignment, oil change...then they rely on codes if there's anything beyond that, and upsell is the norm. just google the best trust worthy mechanics and there are tons.I found mine in markham...these was when I got upsold on control arm for my sti...green ross is going to charge me $800+ so I took it to crappy, they told me it's not only that...it's about $999...and took it to a mechanic because he quoted me $400 for the control arm...he check the car, scratched his head and asked me why do I need to have them replaced when all he needs to do is replace the bushing...for $80...

 

[essguy_]

Here's a video showing different oil extractors for changing motor oil on an old Mercedes. If all you want to do is change your oil - I would recommend getting one of these vs buying ramps, garage creeper, etc. You can get one for about $70 bucks, takes up less garage storage space. By far the easiest way to change your oil. (Note: For a boat with an inboard engine, it's one of the only ways to change oil cleanly). If your car's oil filter is easily accessible - you don't even need to get dirty. Tips: Always clean the area where your oil filter seal sits and wipe some clean oil around the new oil filter gasket. Always fill your oil filter with some clean oil before you spin it on and never over-tighten it.

 

[danmand]

Here's a video showing different oil extractors for changing motor oil on an old Mercedes. If all you want to do is change your oil - I would recommend getting one of these vs buying ramps, garage creeper, etc. You can get one for about $70 bucks, takes up less garage storage space. By far the easiest way to change your oil. (Note: For a boat with an inboard engine, it's one of the only ways to change oil cleanly). If your car's oil filter is easily accessible - you don't even need to get dirty. Tips: Always clean the area where your oil filter seal sits and wipe some clean oil around the new oil filter gasket. Always fill your oil filter with some clean oil before you spin it on and never over-tighten it.

The newer Mercedes cars have no drain plug (or dipstick). Extraction is the only way.

 

[GameBoy27]

Here's a video showing different oil extractors for changing motor oil on an old Mercedes. If all you want to do is change your oil - I would recommend getting one of these vs buying ramps, garage creeper, etc. You can get one for about $70 bucks, takes up less garage storage space. By far the easiest way to change your oil. (Note: For a boat with an inboard engine, it's one of the only ways to change oil cleanly). If your car's oil filter is easily accessible - you don't even need to get dirty. Tips: Always clean the area where your oil filter seal sits and wipe some clean oil around the new oil filter gasket. Always fill your oil filter with some clean oil before you spin it on and never over-tighten it.

Then start engine and check for leaks.

 

[John Henry]

You said it yourself, time is money...I can leave my vehicle to my mechanice and pay less than $50 for an oil change...yes, whatever is important to you might not be valuable to me...

That's right ... time is money if you're working 24-7 which no one does . Or you could be out changing your oil instead of using valuable money making time logging onto Terb .

Like I said , I have 4 vehicles to change the oil on and 1 has a diesel 6.7 liter Cummins engine which in no way is only going to cost $50 at a dealer or garage . OK with only 1 vehicle I might take it to a garage but not when I have 4 vehicles , an inboard outboard boat engine and 2 outboards to change the oil and filters on . I even change the oil on my lawnmower and snow blower myself or I could take them to a dealer and let him do it .

Rather do the work myself and save a lot of money . Like I said , it's a hobby for me doing my own maintenance . I enjoy it . Time is money yes but no one is working 24-7 to make money . If you are working 24-7 to make money than you'd better find a better job that pays more and not have to work so much .

I also have a 5th wheel trailer that I winterize myself . I suppose I could take that to a dealer and let them do it . By the time I drop it off and come back home I could have done the job myself in less time and expense . Never mind the time in going back to pick it up and bringing it home along with paying the dealer to do the work.

 

[TeeJay]

I think that you should troll them.

I think this thread is trolling enough

Noone believes the OP (I hope)

 

[richaceg]

That's right ... time is money if you're working 24-7 which no one does . Or you could be out changing your oil instead of using valuable money making time logging onto Terb .

Like I said , I have 4 vehicles to change the oil on and 1 has a diesel 6.7 liter Cummins engine which in no way is only going to cost $50 at a dealer or garage . OK with only 1 vehicle I might take it to a garage but not when I have 4 vehicles , an inboard outboard boat engine and 2 outboards to change the oil and filters on . I even change the oil on my lawnmower and snow blower myself or I could take them to a dealer and let him do it .

Rather do the work myself and save a lot of money . Like I said , it's a hobby for me doing my own maintenance . I enjoy it . Time is money yes but no one is working 24-7 to make money . If you are working 24-7 to make money than you'd better find a better job that pays more and not have to work so much .

I also have a 5th wheel trailer that I winterize myself . I suppose I could take that to a dealer and let them do it . By the time I drop it off and come back home I could have done the job myself in less time and expense . Never mind the time in going back to pick it up and bringing it home along with paying the dealer to do the work.

really depends on how you use your time bud...Not my hobby doing stuff in my vehicle...I don't work 24-7...but again, tinkering on a vehicle is not my thing...maybe yours...and we're both on Terb...lol...I don't have as much vehicle as you...and I'd rather be getting a massage while someone else do my car...that's just how things work out for me...

 

[The "Bone" Ranger]

Do you live near a Costco? $50 or so for full synthetic oil change. .

I didn't know Costco does oil changes?

 

[yomero5]

Are Costco oil changes any better than Mr Lube and Canadian Tire?

 

[malata]

i had a friend who knew a guy who knew a guy who worked at a garage who had a customer who went to Mr. Lube. He said he got ripped when they gave him a day old newspaper to read

 

[OnTheWayOut]

I didn't know Costco does oil changes?

They do in Canada, not in the US. I'm reading online that some Costco Canada no longer offer it, you need to check your local store. I stopped going there due to the difficulty making appointments (they got too popular) and I got free oil changes at the dealer when I bought my latest car (which have ended so may be going back to Costco).

Are Costco oil changes any better than Mr Lube and Canadian Tire?

Yes IMO. Cost way less and they use full synthetic only. downside is hard to get appointments in busy tire seasons.

Another benefit of DIY is simply the fact you get under the car and look around and spot possible issues that need attention. Of course being a former mechanic it helps if you have some idea of what to look at and look for. It's not just a money saver, it could potentially be a life saver. I've learned over the years NO ONE cares as much about my car and well being as I do. If I do take my car elsewhere for service it seems I always have to correct something they do wrong. Yeah, I'm a bit of a perfectionist but that is likely why my cars are very reliable.