Does anyone do oil changes on their own even under warranty?

[ctechauto]

Again, you won't see me disagreeing. For something like an oil change, it's almost trivial and the risk drops to something you can 100% control. I'm here to tell you I get it.

It's just the nature of some of the comments in this thread, it just makes my skin crawl.

I'd name names but some of them like to claim I'm already on their ignore list. It's just hilariously CRINGE. I hate that word but there's no better description.

To be fair, the job itself and skill required is almost trivial but the consequences of not doing it right can be catastrophic. I think thats what most people are saying - something thats so simple can still be done wrong

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[optronix]

To be fair, the job itself and skill required is almost trivial but the consequences of not doing it right can be catastrophic. I think thats what most people are saying - something thats so simple can still be done wrong

Sure. But LITERALLY clutching your pearls and acting like gods be DAMNED if I let some teenage lube tech touch my fine motorcar (because that's what they all are... I guess that's better than a crackhead lube tech but they're not mutually exclusive).

Some of us are busy, lazy, or (gasp) might not know how to change our own oil. Looking at this thread, you'd think that was an instant Enthusiast Card Revocation.

Oddly from the same guy that called me a gatekeeper lol. That's pretty funny. @Spart

 

[ctechauto]

Sure. But LITERALLY clutching your pearls and acting like gods be DAMNED if I let some teenage lube tech touch my fine motorcar (because that's what they all are... I guess that's better than a crackhead lube tech but they're not mutually exclusive).

Some of us are busy, lazy, or (gasp) might not know how to change our own oil. Looking at this thread, you'd think that was an instant Enthusiast Card Revocation.

Oddly from the same guy that called me a gatekeeper lol. That's pretty funny. @Spart

Your car will automatically explode because you didnt use the OEM filter tool torque to spec or didnt use a micrometer to ensure the .00001mm tolerance between the rubber gasket and the block.

 

[zumbooruk]

Your car will automatically explode because you didnt use the OEM filter tool torque to spec or didnt use a micrometer to ensure the .00001mm tolerance between the rubber gasket and the block.

But it will if the mechanic does not torque the drain bolt and the drain bolt falls off...

BTW, I now always use a torque wrench (I have three, 1/2 3/8 1/4), since I have a tendency to over torque.

I sheared so many bolts in my life, even after figuring out that I have a tendency to snap the bolts.

"feels so loose, just a little bit more"... SNAP...

Bolt extractor used to be one of my most used tools

I now also use loctite when appropriate

 

[ctechauto]

But it will if the mechanic does not torque the drain bolt and the drain bolt falls off...

BTW, I now always use a torque wrench (I have three, 1/2 3/8 1/4), since I have a tendency to over torque.

I sheared so many bolts in my life, even after figuring out that I have a tendency to snap the bolts.

"feels so loose, just a little bit more"... SNAP...

Bolt extractor used to be one of my most used tools

I now also use loctite when appropriate

I was giving a hard time to another member who was very vocal in another thread. It wasnt meant to be literal

 

[Savannah@TSP]

Way before my TSP time: I had my FC4, went in for an oil change, and they just didn't tighten the drain plug. Sent me out, I didn't know until I heard a nice metallic clank off my skid plate, and my oil pressure light went off. They tried to say that I busted my oil pan and that's why it leaked oil. Things like that make you lose trust fast.

I've done all my oil changes and various other services on my vehicles since then, even if brand new. I have highly detailed spreadsheets on the FE1, EJ6, and my Crosstrek for my own reference as well as anyone who may need said information in the future (like a buyer). I'm sure some dealer techs are decent at their job, but mine is notoriously...uh...negligent.

Also just makes me feel better because I know "x service" was done correctly. That all being said, I feel like if you document, keep receipts, etc., you will be fine.

 

[Spart]

I have yet to find a mechanic who is attentive to details and takes the time to do everything right without mistakes.

Nearly every time I used a mechanic, for either something as simple as oil change or more complex stuff that I could not do myself, they did something wrong, incomplete, etc.

For them it is just a job.

The last time I ever used "free" dealership maintenance was in 2015, for my Tacoma.

I had noticed that on the previous service the year before, they had not bothered to lubricate the zerks on the U-joints.

For those of you born this century, prior to the 2016 model year, Toyota used good-old-fashioned U-joints with grease zerks that need periodically serviced with a grease gun and NGLI #2 grease. Something that should be a staple in every mechanic's shop. Those went away a year after this story takes place, to be replaced with "permanently lubricated" U-joints. It's actually popular to upgrade to the greaseable units for serious off-roading, because that "permanent" lubrication is more aptly described as "longer lasting."

Anyway, when I dropped it off with them the next time, I asked them to take care of that and the individual at the counter said yeah, no problem.

When I pick it up? "Hey, we got those nuts on your differential tightened."

Excuse me the what?

Guy at the service counter ducks back into the shop to clarify and pops back out a few minutes later.

"Yeah I misspoke, they lubed the U-joints."

I thought, okay whatever and drove home. But it was nagging me so I got under there to look.

There's no new grease anywhere. It's an obvious thing when it's been done, because you keep pumping until you see fresh grease come out of the U-joint.

F--ing big sigh. I could do this myself, but if they're f---ing my truck up, they're also f---ing up the 1000 or so other trucks they service throughout the year. If I was running that dealership, I would want to know why we had to deal with so many thrashed U-joints at 30,000 miles.

So I reluctantly get on the phone.

"Oh wow, that's crazy, we'll have someone come pick that up and drop off a loaner."

Bear in mind I live about an hour and a half from this dealer. But okay. My Tacoma turns into a Camry for a bit.

The next day they drive it down. "Sorry about that." Yeah, thanks.

I get under it again. The truck has five U-joints, three going to the rear wheels (there's a carrier bearing and a third U-joint) and two more going to the front. The rear drive shaft looks like this:

They only did the rearmost U-joint at the diff. They literally went one for five.

Now I'm just pissed because while forgetting it once is understandable, the techs clearly have never done this a single time in their life and they had just barely found the crack of their ass with two hands, a flashlight, and their buddy guiding them along.

I get back on the phone with them and I'm struggling to be polite. They assure me that they'll get back down with another loaner and get it done right this time, 100%.

My Tacoma turns into a Corolla this time.

When the truck shows back up, it's the same guy who dropped it off the time before and he can't believe it. I can't either.

I get under it again. Of the five U-joints, the rear three have now been greased. The front two must have been too difficult to find. What kind of truck has two drive shafts anyway? My expectations must have been too high.

Needless to say I didn't even bother calling them. I just waited until the sales guy called again and let him know why I wouldn't be doing any business there going forward.

After all, why fight the service techs when I can start a good old fashioned fight between service and sales!

 

[zumbooruk]

I was giving a hard time to another member who was very vocal in another thread. It wasnt meant to be literal

Sorry, I should have known, sometimes it is indeed scary when someone takes me seriously or literally...

 

[zumbooruk]

We're out there. Started my business years back because I, myself, were one of those people who didnt trust dealerships (I really only direct customers to dealerships if its a clear warranty issue). I was friends with other independent shops, learned from them when I was growing up, and started my own thing for Hondas. Been a car enthusiast for 25 years now. People come to me because of that, and my attention to detail, and full transparency and have no problem owning mistakes if I make them and being humble (no one is perfect, just dont be careless or lazy). I tend to even be overcommunicative and provide frequent status updates and pictures during the job.

As far as those pesky undertray bolts - replaced them on a recent customer of mine free of charge with extras I purposely stock because they're so commonly need to be replaced and told him about it up front when I inspected the car before I started the work

I didn't mean to say that they do not exist, only that I have yet to find one.

Would you consider moving to Ventura CA

 

[Higgs Boson]

I can't believe I read this thread.

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