Is a DIY (Do It Yourself) oil/filter change worth it ?

[D Fresh]

Wow - All I have to do it put it by the street and they come and pick it up with the other recycle stuff. Or, I could take it to just about any auto parts store too. Been that way for probably 10 years or more now.

I do oil changes in all our vehicles - saves a little money, I get to check them out, and I know it is done correctly with quality oil and filter.

We don't have street pickup for used oil here. My choices are auto parts stores or the county facility that is way out of my way.

Everytime I go to an auto parts store I get "sorry, our container is full."

Too much of a pain to do it the right way, so I just let Ford do it.

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[P. A. Schilke]

We don't have street pickup for used oil here. My choices are auto parts stores or the county facility that is way out of my way.

Everytime I go to an auto parts store I get "sorry, our container is full."

Too much of a pain to do it the right way, so I just let Ford do it.

Hi Doug,

When I change the oil in the RV with the CAT diesel...it is 5 gallons of oil. County says leave the continer, so I have these old 5 gallon buckets from painting my house. Drain, cover, transport and leave at county transfer station...15 minute round trip... I do not mess with auto parts stores for the reason you stated... County knows if they refuse...then it goes out in the desert. County is smart to accept spent oil.

Best,
Phil

 

[D Fresh]

Hi Doug,

When I change the oil in the RV with the CAT diesel...it is 5 gallons of oil. County says leave the continer, so I have these old 5 gallon buckets from painting my house. Drain, cover, transport and leave at county transfer station...15 minute round trip... I do not mess with auto parts stores for the reason you stated... County knows if they refuse...then it goes out in the desert. County is smart to accept spent oil.

Best,
Phil

For sure. It takes about an hour for me to make the trip to dispose at the county. I'll have to do some minor Jeep maintenance on our YJ with the kid who will be driving it soon. And when we do I'll definitely take it there.


My boss and I were having this conversion and he told me that he just drops it at the auto parts store's back door while they're closed. He got so sick of hearing, it's all full, he's figured "full or not, your problem now."

 

[JohnnyO]

The hassle of disposing of used oil is what does it for me.

I'm not driving around for a week with a pan of used oil in the bed while I try to find somebody to take it.

My county has a recycling center that takes it. Auto Zone will take used oil.

 

[D Fresh]

My county has a recycling center that takes it. Auto Zone will take used oil.

Yep.

Thread didn't stop at that post.

 

[JohnnyO]

How is it no worse than most cars? I have never had another vehicle that is so complicated to change an oil filter. It's pretty common knowledge that it's a Ford f up and a reason to not buy this truck if you like doing a normal oil change.

My thinking is that it was designed for the diesel engine that other countries get and fitting the 2.3 was an afterthought. For a good laugh, Ford of Europe has a video on YouTube of a Ranger driving through and idling in 4 feet of water. Can't do that in the US version because the alternator will crap out in short order.
I change my own oil just because I like to tinker with my cars although I take it to the dealer every other time for warranty purposes. It's also cheaper and faster to do it myself.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Your local WallyWorld will also take used oil if they have an Auto center.

 

[Iowa Guy]

Is a DIY (Do It Yourself) oil/filter change worth it "cost wise" compared to a Ford dealer or other oil change businesses?

Approximate costs for parts and disposables for a 2019 Ford Ranger oil change*:
Oil filter - Motorcraft Oil Filter part # - FL-910S - Ford P/N BE8Z-6731-AB ------------ ~ $5.80
Oil drain plug with built-in washer - Ford Part # 9L8Z-6730-A --------------------------- ~ $6.60
Oil 6.2 quarts rounded to 7 quarts of Motorcraft 5w-30 "synthetic blend" oil - Part# XO-5W30-Q1SP -- $3.35 qt x 7 = $23.45 (RockAuto.com)
Approximate DIY oil change total cost (your labor is FREE?) ~ $36

*Please Note: Prices does not include local/state sales tax, parts shipping (if required).
Prices will vary greatly between parts vendors!

Samples of oil change approximate cost from a business**:
Ford's Quick Lane: "The Works" $49.95 includes tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, vehicle inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, filter check, and belts and hoses check. <--- This is a great deal?
Fastlube: Synthetic Blend ~ $52.99 (for 5 quarts) - you need 6.2 quarts for an extra cost!
Jiffy Lube: Synthetic Blend ~ $75
Walmart oil change: Synthetic Blend ~ $50 (for 5 quarts) - you need 6.2 quarts for an extra cost!

**Please Note: Prices does not include local/state sales tax. Any coupons and vendor discounts will reduce the costs further. Prices will vary from time to time due to inflation or vendor's cost increases or decreases.

Is a DIY (Do It Yourself) oil/filter change worth it? Ranger5g members make the call?

Are we supposed to replace the oil drain plug at every oil change? in 30 years of doing my own oil changes, I have never replaced one.

 

[Dgc333]

The hassle of disposing of used oil is what does it for me.

I'm not driving around for a week with a pan of used oil in the bed while I try to find somebody to take it.

At least in Massachusetts the place you purchased the oil from is required to take the used oil back. I purchase my oil at Walmart so I bring it back there. Just drop it off at the service desk. I pour the used oil back into the 5 qt containers the new oil came out of.

 

[RCMUSTANG]

How is it no worse than most cars? I have never had another vehicle that is so complicated to change an oil filter. It's pretty common knowledge that it's a Ford f up and a reason to not buy this truck if you like doing a normal oil change.

?? sorry if it's too complicated.

 

[Dgc333]

I do my own oil changes and have for the past 50 years. I get what ever full synthetic oil that is on sale and Motocraft filters at Walmart. Typically a 5qt container of synthetic oil that is on sale at Walmart is about $22, just got two 5qt containers of Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 synthetic for $22.47 each. A Motocraft filter is typically around $3.00-$4.00. So, I am right at $30.00 for an oil change with full synthetic oil.

I wouldn't trust a dealership to do it. The folks doing oil changes and changing tires are the lowest paid and least experienced people working in the shop. If they higher anyone that has a head on their shoulders and some ambition to do oil changes they move on to something else. My son got his start in the automotive business in High School changing oil and tires at the local Toyota dealership. At the time he had zero experience but was a hard worker and they moved him up to brake jobs within a couple of months. After high school they sent him to Toyota school and in less than 10 years he was the service manager at the companies CDJR dealership. He has his own Tire and Service Center now.

 

[rydfree]

 

[D Fresh]

At least in Massachusetts the place you purchased the oil from is required to take the used oil back. I purchase my oil at Walmart so I bring it back there. Just drop it off at the service desk. I pour the used oil back into the 5 qt containers the new oil came out of.

I don't believe it's law here, but it might be. When I've been successful in the past I've never had a place ask for a receipt. I'll look into it.


My general point is this, though. Don't forget to pay yourself when you do your calculations, guys. At my hourly rate the time it takes to purchase, change, and recycle the oil quickly triples the cost of oil and a filter. And I don't make a lot. Of course if you're retired, that might not matter.

 

[Dgc333]

How is it no worse than most cars? I have never had another vehicle that is so complicated to change an oil filter. It's pretty common knowledge that it's a Ford f up and a reason to not buy this truck if you like doing a normal oil change.

Three of my previous pickups you had to go in through the wheel well to remove the oil filter and once off wouldn't come out without twisting and turning them to snake them past the exhaust which resulted in oil spilling everywhere. The Ranger is about as simple as it gets, straight in from the wheel well and straight out. Plus Ford placed a drip tray under the filter to route any spilled oil out behind the wheel where you can place a pan.

 

[Dgc333]

I don't believe it's law here, but it might be. When I've been successful in the past I've never had a place ask for a receipt. I'll look into it.


My general point is this, though. Don't forget to pay yourself when you do your calculations, guys. At my hourly rate the time it takes to purchase, change, and recycle the oil quickly triples the cost of oil and a filter. And I don't make a lot. Of course if you're retired, that might not matter.

My pay is the piece of mind that comes from knowing it was done right and the overall inspection I do on the bottom of the vehicle to ensure nothing is about to fail.

Sometimes I just drive into the garage and through my vehicle up on the lift for no other reason than the enjoyment I get poking around and checking things out.

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