re: Is it really that much cheaper to change your own oil vs going to a shop?

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pull the plug and let it all go right into the sewer.

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That's so damn bad.

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Jiffy lube wants $135

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no way

That's a little on the high side, but mine is about $115.

I'm enjoying this thread. I change the oil in my truck. I have all the tools right there and enough space to do it quickly and easily. I can usually come out pretty clean too. Only thing that gets dirty is my arm trying to get up into where the filter is.

I've always changed the oil in family vehicles dating back to when I was a kid. My grandpa was a tractor mechanic and I LOVED working with him. They have pictures of me asleep on a creeper under a car from when I was helping him. In his later years, we would change the oil in his truck every few months even though he drove less than 3k-4K miles a year. It's what we did. Now I do it with my kids.

A few questions and comments:

•When y'all install the filter, how tight do you put it? I usually put it hand tight then 1/4 turn with my filter wrench

•I may have to get one of those valves. That's nice.

Special note: If you use an oil pan/storage tank like below, be sure to take the middle screw plug completely out and open the vent! I moved it to the outer edge only once and forgot to open the vent stared draining my engine. The plug made its way back to the hole and the floor of my shed looked like the Exxon Valdez had stopped by for a visit.

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Oil and filter is like 20 bucks. How much did your last oil change cost?

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Where the hell can you find a $20 oil change in Baton Rouge? Not some promotion but a regular $20 price? I average $35 for reg and $55 for synthetic.

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Back in the day, my grandfather built a big concrete mound right next to his storm drain. When it was time to change the oil, he'd drive one of the wheels up on the mound, pull the plug and let it all go right into the sewer.

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Back in the day I used to run oilfield boats offshore when times were tough. Signed up with a mom and pop company and headed offshore. The engineer proceeded to dump all of the oil out of one motor into the bilge. I asked him WTF was he doing and he said he was going to pump it overboard. I told him to suck it all up with a pump and put it into 5 gallon buckets. He laughed and said I'd get fired. I laughed and said let them try. Ended up working for them a few more months and found another job. I called the Coast Guard the day I left and reported them.