20 20
Elite Member
Oh yeh some time back I also paid 90+ $ for a trans change just to find out the garage never did it.
Oil lube rant
- Thread starter kenstrac
- Start date
- Views: 6257
dooleysm
Platinum Member
This is another area where I think the average Joe is not willing to pay what it takes to make it worthwhile for an experienced person to do it right. I change the oil in our 3 vehicles. It takes me about an hour and a half by the time I drive to the inlaw's shop (to take advantage of their vehicle lift, air compressor, tools, etc.), change the oil, check and top off fluids, air and rotate tires, cleanup, and come back home. I could do it in about the same amount of time, but with more effort, if I did it at home.
Now, if I was doing it every day I could probably get it all done in 30-45 minutes. Sound reasonable? What would you be willing to pay for something like that? I've got a certain amount just in consumables (filter, oil, assorted fluids, hand cleaner, shop towels, etc.). Then there's the 'rental' of my tools and shop. Then I have to make a decent wage. And I guess I need insurance in case I forget and leave a rag in your engine compartment and it catches your car on fire.
I don't see how a guy could be in business changing oil and do a good job of it.
Now, if I was doing it every day I could probably get it all done in 30-45 minutes. Sound reasonable? What would you be willing to pay for something like that? I've got a certain amount just in consumables (filter, oil, assorted fluids, hand cleaner, shop towels, etc.). Then there's the 'rental' of my tools and shop. Then I have to make a decent wage. And I guess I need insurance in case I forget and leave a rag in your engine compartment and it catches your car on fire.
I don't see how a guy could be in business changing oil and do a good job of it.
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
most garages that change oil do it at nearly cost.. just as a way to get you in.. those free safety checks are there to sell you things you -may- need.. like.. "gee.. this belt looks a lil cracked'.. etc.. that's where they start getting some money and shop charges. A friend owns a garage.. his oil changes just pay for the service.. no extra profit...
soundguy
soundguy
tallyho8
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 4,495
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400, Kubota ZD326
The last time I checked with someone who had a lube shop, they paid 15 cents per quart for oil in a drum. Their bulk prices are much less than the average person's.
Wayne County Hose
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,325
- Location
- Wayne County Pa.
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson model 85, Allis-Chalmers WD-45
Only time I pay to have any work done on a vehicle is alignment or computer troubleshooting. But, took a company Chevy 1 ton van back to the dealer, had a gear oil leak in the rear. Told the service manager the pinion seal in the rear was leaking. He asked me, and I'm not joking, "which side?"
RobertN
Super Member
We have a local place that does a good job. Hard to find out there though.
About 8 years ago, my Grandmother had the oild changed in her Nova, at one of the natioanl chains. She gou about two miles down the road when the oil light came on. She stopped right away. When she gout out of the car there was oil running from under it.
They had not tightened the oil drain plug; it had fallen out.
They did right by her; paid to tow it, new plug, oil, a couple free oil changes. I don't think she went back there after the incident though...
About 8 years ago, my Grandmother had the oild changed in her Nova, at one of the natioanl chains. She gou about two miles down the road when the oil light came on. She stopped right away. When she gout out of the car there was oil running from under it.
They had not tightened the oil drain plug; it had fallen out.
They did right by her; paid to tow it, new plug, oil, a couple free oil changes. I don't think she went back there after the incident though...
DANOCHEESE
Gold Member
The local ford garage actualy will come to your work and pick up your vehicle for any scheduled maintenacne. The wife just calls and tell's Tony Time for oil change. In the next few days he comes by and grabs the truck.
Small town if they do poor work, word of mouth would shortly kill them.
Small town if they do poor work, word of mouth would shortly kill them.
Yeah they pulled that crap on my wife. She drives a Trailblazer and there is a small plastic access panel on the skid plate that you have to remove to gain access to the oil filter.
It only takes a flatblade screwdriver a 1/4 turn and the plate pops open. Seriously 10 seconds worth and they said they were going to charge her extra for having to remove the skid plate.
It only takes a flatblade screwdriver a 1/4 turn and the plate pops open. Seriously 10 seconds worth and they said they were going to charge her extra for having to remove the skid plate.
MikeD74T
Veteran Member
60 cents per gallon, was that near the beginning or the end of the 1950's ???
MikeD74TCat_Driver
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2008
- Messages
- 2,359
- Location
- Coachella Ca.
- Tractor
- 2016 Kubota 4060, 2017 Tackeuchi excavator TB260
After going through most everything I heard here I came up with some solutions that have worked for me.
I bring in all my own oil and filters where ever I go that includes dealer and quick lube.
I have had over fill at dealerships along with not checking fluids and greasing the vehicle as evidenced by mud still being on the zerks, and dust still on call the caps proof no one touched them.
Last time I did all my vehicles at a quick lube I brought in all my stuff and stood at the front of the vehicle ( I was still OUTSIDE the bay ) and watched every move. As I stood there they showed me as proof the tranny dipstick levels and I watched as they uncapped washer fluid, power steering etc. I also watched exactly how much they put in of MY OIL and showed me the dip stick at full.
Total cost for them to change the oil check the air pressure on the tires including spare, wash the windows and vacuum the vehicle, check all fluids - $19.00.
Well worth it to me, but the key is bringing in your own stuff and watching them like a hawk and verify, verify, verify.
I bring in all my own oil and filters where ever I go that includes dealer and quick lube.
I have had over fill at dealerships along with not checking fluids and greasing the vehicle as evidenced by mud still being on the zerks, and dust still on call the caps proof no one touched them.
Last time I did all my vehicles at a quick lube I brought in all my stuff and stood at the front of the vehicle ( I was still OUTSIDE the bay ) and watched every move. As I stood there they showed me as proof the tranny dipstick levels and I watched as they uncapped washer fluid, power steering etc. I also watched exactly how much they put in of MY OIL and showed me the dip stick at full.
Total cost for them to change the oil check the air pressure on the tires including spare, wash the windows and vacuum the vehicle, check all fluids - $19.00.
Well worth it to me, but the key is bringing in your own stuff and watching them like a hawk and verify, verify, verify.