DIY Oil Change or Dealer

The dealership around me is a small family owned dealership. I have bought many vehicles from them and have used them for recalls and other things. I did take advantage of the free oil changes and tire rotations for the 2 year/25K deal toyota has when i bought my 2012 with no issues except the one time a lug was sitting on the ground when i went to drive it home...other than that I have always done my own maintenance on all my vehicles. I think bottom line is even if a dealership is trustworthy and reputable you never know who is working on your vehicle that day or absent minded they are on that particular day to make mistakes etc...do it yourself you know it’s right!

 

LOL...yea....walmart....effin’ NEVER

 

I changed my oil and rotated my tires. Oil change was easy peasy (20 mins). Tire rotation was a beast due to some of the bolts were difficult to get off because they were worn. I'm going to eventually replace all with a fresh set.
ill add that at 40 and not working out due to corona made me realize I'm out of shape.

 

No shame in that. We grow old and come to realize that having a 2 post lift in the garage is worth its weight. Something like this or this. As a note, I don't own either, but it would be nice. Having one of those scissor lifts could be a viable cheaper option, just kidding. They are just as expensive if not more. Ugh.

-J

 

Just remember that there are fewer and fewer people getting into the automotive trade. Then add that to the diminishing work ethic and eagerness to learn.

This is why l do whatever maintenance l can do myself. It's rewarding, and l know that I've done it right.

There are numerous sources available today to teach yourself what to do.

 

This. Slowly accumulate the necessary tools over time as to not burn down the bank. I've been eyeballing an engine hoist and a 12 or 20t hydraulic press, just need a larger shop/garage now to hold all the tools.

-J

 

lol at the tiny hands comment

 

Definitely agree to this.

 

Scoff if you will but I saved my husband from having to remove his front tire, plastic, and exhaust on his tundra because i was able to get in there to put new manifold gaskets on and get the wrench all up in there. Im good for something.

 

But there is a difference between knowledge and experience. Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit, experience is not putting tomato in a fruit salad. While the videos on YouTube University are a good starting place, they don't teach experience. Knowing when to Ugga-Dugga and when not to or how to use a torque wrench or how to not strip a bolt. That comes with experience. Do not think that I've never used YT-U to accomplish a project, I was just merely pointing that out.

-J

 

Very valid point from a different perspective. I didn't think of it like this. Thanks for your input.

 

I'm afraid that you may have taken that the wrong way. I'm not trying to say that maintenance on your vehicle is difficult by any means, just don't overstep your personal skillset. YouTube videos are an excellent avenue to see what you are about to get your head in but with that said, there isn't a video for your specific vehicle for every maintenance scenario that you might come across. That's where this forum comes into effect. Ask questions, post pictures, etc .. but be advised that some people are armchair mechanics or shade tree mechanics and might suggest something that's potentially dangerous. Maybe not like your vehicle would blow up or anything like that but a component might fail earlier than necessary, that's all. There's plenty of fantastic DIY and how to writeups on this website and most users will try to point you in the right direction. So don't be afraid to make mistakes but don't put yourself in a situation where you're relying on a quick answer to get your vehicle back to road worthy. Sometimes it just takes time.

-J

 

Definitely feel you. Wise words

 

I guess I am lucky. I have a local shop here that I have used since the 1990's for oil changes and small jobs. I bought my 2009 Tacoma in June of this year and had all the fluids drained and refilled. Oil and filter, rear diff, and manual tranns fluids. Each hole is $15.00 labor and I buy my oil from him. I do not have to have any tools, spill stuff in my driveway, or dispose of used oil. O'h yeah, I have some physical disabilities so I have a really hard time getting on the ground and then getting up. It's soooo worth it for me and I can either drop off my car or wait in the shop and watch him work.

 

So after all these pages of dialog what have we gathered ? Some folks enjoy working on the truck, have tools and knowledge to get it done correctly. Some change their own because they enjoy it and nobody touches heir truck, period. Some are disabled and cannot perform the task physically, some live in apartments and cannot work on things. Some don’t know how to handle used motor oil? I liked that one. Some have money and don’t mind paying someone they think does a great job. Some couldn’t find their ass with both hands and have no business putting tools in their hands. Some have maintenance agreements with dealers so they do no maintenance ever. Did I miss anyone??????

 

THANK YOU! 4 pages....4!

 

Bingo!

 

Yep yep yep, this pretty much sums the whole thread.