Spatula 0 #1 Posted July 28, 2006 I recently took my car in for a 40k scheduled maintenance and they wanted to charge me $65 to change the air filter!!! I of course said "F*&k no" to that. It got me to thinking that I should get back to doing my own basic maintence that I've generally been too lazy to do. So..How many of you do your own basic car maintenance? Specifically I mean oil changes, tire rotations, changing air filters, etc...the basic routine maintenance. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #2 July 28, 2006 I do just about everything but oil changes. My time is worth more to me than it costs to have someone else do it. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour666 0 #3 July 28, 2006 QuoteI do just about everything but oil changes. My time is worth more to me than it costs to have someone else do it. Blues, Dave Same here and with out a lift is just a pain in the ass to crawal aroundSO this one time at band camp..... "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #4 July 28, 2006 QuoteQuoteI do just about everything but oil changes. My time is worth more to me than it costs to have someone else do it. Blues, Dave Same here and with out a lift is just a pain in the ass to crawal around Agreed. Ever since I started turning wrenches for a living, I lost the motivation to do it on a weekend. An oil change is worth the $20 to have some kid do it. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 130 #5 July 28, 2006 everything but oil change and tire rotation bought tires at Goodyear, lifetime tire rotation is free with these computerized cars there is not much you can do except the air filter, tire pressure, bulbs and check the fluids took 3 hours to change the headlamp in a Lexus ES300, a lot of parts to remove to get to itGive one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mostly_Harmless 0 #6 July 28, 2006 I do all the maintenance and repairs that I possible can do. My oil/oil filter is changed every 5k, rotate my tires during the oil change, check filter every oil change, spark plugs and wires are check every 15k and I check the brakes at 15k mile intervals (just recently changed them). A bunch of my friends who aren't as anal as I am about car maintenance try to get on the same schedule as me this way when I tell them I am doing my oil etc... it reminds them to check theres._________________________________________ www.myspace.com/termvelocity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharimcm 0 #7 July 28, 2006 My little car has high miles, so I pay the extra money to take it to someone else, specifically Honda to do all my maintenance work. If it's something as easy as an air filter, I'll change it myself, but oil changes, tires rotations, etc... Nope. I'd rather drop the car off and pick it up later. I have too much shit to do and not enough time to do it... "I had a dude tip his black cowboy hat to me after I provided him with a condom outside my hotel room at 3-something in the morning." -myself Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #8 July 28, 2006 Oil change I let the kiddies do. Rotations I take it to Sears where I bought the tires. I just did a tune up, then the check engine light came on which turned out to be a O2 sensor and idle motor. The egr valve was also gummed up which I cleaned out. No more light. Things I have had done light the transmission flush and coolant system flush I had done. Dont have the machine to do that stuff. After working on jets I hate to work on cars anymore. Half the parts are metric and the other are standard on cars. At least with aviation you know everthing is standard.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #9 July 28, 2006 I really can't do too much where I live at. However, I really need to buy more tools. If you have to go buy a tool to do the job and buy the part, it will always be worth paying someone else to do it. I just paid my truck off and I am going to start replacing things that's not even broke yet, after brakes and rotors replace (they need it) and then major tune-up, then clutch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 333 #10 July 28, 2006 A lot of routine maintenance has become a real PITA. Specifically, changing the air filter on my turbo Passat engine is not the 2-4 minute job it should be; lotsa stuff has to be removed and replaced. I do most of my oil changes, since I can just about do that in the time I can take the car to someone else. Tire rotation? I thought tires rotated as you drive down the road. I'll probably do my next brake job, since it is not complicated and doesn't take long, and new rotors and pads all around are less than half of the cost at a shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #11 July 28, 2006 Quote then clutch. You have no idea how much money I made when I was in High school doing clutch jobs on my buddies cars and trucks. I loved to watch them do a big 6 grand drop. Just knowing I would being putting a clutch in soon.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #12 July 28, 2006 QuoteOil change I let the kiddies do. Rotations I take it to Sears where I bought the tires. I just did a tune up, then the check engine light came on which turned out to be a O2 sensor and idle motor. The egr valve was also gummed up which I cleaned out. No more light. Things I have had done light the transmission flush and coolant system flush I had done. Dont have the machine to do that stuff. After working on jets I hate to work on cars anymore. Half the parts are metric and the other are standard on cars. At least with aviation you know everthing is standard. The EGR temp sensor for my Volvo is broken...but the emissions system works fine. My registration is due in a a couple of weeks and I need a Smog check. Soooo...the shop turned of the "codes" so the Check Engine light would be off....temporarily. Got it smogged, passed, and will send it in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MF42 0 #13 July 28, 2006 QuoteHalf the parts are metric and the other are standard on cars. At least with aviation you know everthing is standard. Unless you get one of those inexcusably French falcons! Hawkers can surprise you too. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #14 July 28, 2006 I wouldn't use those cheap oil change places if I were you guys. They hire minimum wage earners to do the work and imagine what possible damage they can do. They often strip oil drain plugs and overfill the engine with oil which cause your seals to leak and once they start leaking.... I've also heard of em not tightening the oil filter which is such a very simple mistake that can have an incredibly bad ending. Pay the extra money and take it to a real mechanic.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Rookie120 0 #15 July 28, 2006 QuoteUnless you get one of those inexcusably French falcons! Hawkers can surprise you too. This is true. I have found 1 part on the CRJ that is Metric. The oil fiter can on the APU is a 19mm.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites livendive 8 #16 July 28, 2006 QuoteI wouldn't use those cheap oil change places if I were you guys. They hire minimum wage earners to do the work and imagine what possible damage they can do. They often strip oil drain plugs and overfill the engine with oil which cause your seals to leak and once they start leaking.... I've also heard of em not tightening the oil filter which is such a very simple mistake that can have an incredibly bad ending. Pay the extra money and take it to a real mechanic. I don't go to Jiffy Lube because they're liars. The Texaco across the street from my office is an old-fashioned gas station, with the "ding-ding" hose, old analog gas pumps, and a 3 bay garage. They change my oil, vacuum my truck, check other fluids & tire pressure, and wash my windows for about $30. Works for me. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #17 July 28, 2006 Jiffylube, Econolube, etc. is what I'm referring to. Gas stations usually have an experienced mechanic because they often do more than just oil changes. Honest mechanics are hard to find so when I do find one I always bring my small work to them because the extra money is worth it to me to help them stay in business.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gawain 0 #18 July 28, 2006 Dude....K&N. Clean it yourself every 20-30K miles. No worries.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks 0 #19 July 28, 2006 QuoteDude....K&N. Clean it yourself every 20-30K miles. No worries. and when your $500 airflow meter goes bad and you want it replaced under warrenty. good luck.. air filters that "especially" aftermarket ones dont filter the air as well, this will ruin the hot wire element in the airflow meter.. if you do work yourself. at least spend the extra mony on factory parts. it will save you HUGE!!!! headaches., Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #20 July 28, 2006 Do you mean mass airflow sensor? Yes K&N and other reusable airfilters can cause the airflow sensor to malfunction. However, this is due to over-oiling the filter after cleaning. The excess oil will collect on the sensor. Easy solution is to wrap the filter in a towel (after oiling) and let it sit for 2-3 hours to soak up the excess. I run a 4x4 shop and install a hell of a lot of K&N intake kits without problems.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,106 #21 July 28, 2006 I do all the maintenance on my antique MG, all that is legal for me to do on my airplane, and none of the maintenance on my regular car.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Slappie 9 #22 July 28, 2006 I don't do any, Audi does. I have 4 years 50k miles free maintence. It's really nice. That's everything but brakes, yes oil changes are included. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Spatula 0 #23 July 28, 2006 That's what I put in, a K&N air filter... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Conundrum 1 #24 July 28, 2006 I can do all the mantinence, but I don't always; although I did do the last oil change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Spatula 0 #25 July 28, 2006 I can do most, but like you, don't always do. I get lazy, but after hearing the load of crap a mechanic today gave me it makes me want to start doing it again. Air cleaner elemet...sits behind the glove box...2 screw, 2 clips to remove it...part is $20 or so. They wanted $85 to do it. Now I realize they are a business and out to make a profit but damn. I don't have the money to just toss around like that. I'd rather use it for jumps, travel, toys, etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. 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MF42 0 #13 July 28, 2006 QuoteHalf the parts are metric and the other are standard on cars. At least with aviation you know everthing is standard. Unless you get one of those inexcusably French falcons! Hawkers can surprise you too. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #14 July 28, 2006 I wouldn't use those cheap oil change places if I were you guys. They hire minimum wage earners to do the work and imagine what possible damage they can do. They often strip oil drain plugs and overfill the engine with oil which cause your seals to leak and once they start leaking.... I've also heard of em not tightening the oil filter which is such a very simple mistake that can have an incredibly bad ending. Pay the extra money and take it to a real mechanic.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #15 July 28, 2006 QuoteUnless you get one of those inexcusably French falcons! Hawkers can surprise you too. This is true. I have found 1 part on the CRJ that is Metric. The oil fiter can on the APU is a 19mm.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #16 July 28, 2006 QuoteI wouldn't use those cheap oil change places if I were you guys. They hire minimum wage earners to do the work and imagine what possible damage they can do. They often strip oil drain plugs and overfill the engine with oil which cause your seals to leak and once they start leaking.... I've also heard of em not tightening the oil filter which is such a very simple mistake that can have an incredibly bad ending. Pay the extra money and take it to a real mechanic. I don't go to Jiffy Lube because they're liars. The Texaco across the street from my office is an old-fashioned gas station, with the "ding-ding" hose, old analog gas pumps, and a 3 bay garage. They change my oil, vacuum my truck, check other fluids & tire pressure, and wash my windows for about $30. Works for me. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #17 July 28, 2006 Jiffylube, Econolube, etc. is what I'm referring to. Gas stations usually have an experienced mechanic because they often do more than just oil changes. Honest mechanics are hard to find so when I do find one I always bring my small work to them because the extra money is worth it to me to help them stay in business.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #18 July 28, 2006 Dude....K&N. Clean it yourself every 20-30K miles. No worries.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #19 July 28, 2006 QuoteDude....K&N. Clean it yourself every 20-30K miles. No worries. and when your $500 airflow meter goes bad and you want it replaced under warrenty. good luck.. air filters that "especially" aftermarket ones dont filter the air as well, this will ruin the hot wire element in the airflow meter.. if you do work yourself. at least spend the extra mony on factory parts. it will save you HUGE!!!! headaches., Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #20 July 28, 2006 Do you mean mass airflow sensor? Yes K&N and other reusable airfilters can cause the airflow sensor to malfunction. However, this is due to over-oiling the filter after cleaning. The excess oil will collect on the sensor. Easy solution is to wrap the filter in a towel (after oiling) and let it sit for 2-3 hours to soak up the excess. I run a 4x4 shop and install a hell of a lot of K&N intake kits without problems.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #21 July 28, 2006 I do all the maintenance on my antique MG, all that is legal for me to do on my airplane, and none of the maintenance on my regular car.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #22 July 28, 2006 I don't do any, Audi does. I have 4 years 50k miles free maintence. It's really nice. That's everything but brakes, yes oil changes are included. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spatula 0 #23 July 28, 2006 That's what I put in, a K&N air filter... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #24 July 28, 2006 I can do all the mantinence, but I don't always; although I did do the last oil change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spatula 0 #25 July 28, 2006 I can do most, but like you, don't always do. I get lazy, but after hearing the load of crap a mechanic today gave me it makes me want to start doing it again. Air cleaner elemet...sits behind the glove box...2 screw, 2 clips to remove it...part is $20 or so. They wanted $85 to do it. Now I realize they are a business and out to make a profit but damn. I don't have the money to just toss around like that. I'd rather use it for jumps, travel, toys, etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
