Vehicle Maint. Questions

HOTDON · 07-05-2007, 10:38 PM

I've been using Mobil 1 every 5,000 miles since I got the car with 42k. The engine is still screaming along at 165k. Maybe the oil hasn't made any difference, but don't see any reason to change. I've also had a 9" K&N cone for every one of those miles. I reoil it once or twice a year. That's a lot of regular filters I didn't have to buy. Maybe I've just been lucky, but that would be in stark contrast to the rest of my goings on.....

ISUAlum2002 · 07-05-2007, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

As cheap as oil changes are it doesn't even make sense to do it yourself unless you need just need something to give your man-liness levels a boost.

You can get the oil and filter at O'Reillys for $9.99. Who does complete oil changes for that price?

clones_jer · 07-06-2007, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

You can get the oil and filter at O'Reillys for $9.99. Who does complete oil changes for that price?

ok ... so if I get a oil change for, lets use round numbers, $20.

minus your quoted $10 of materials, I need to think its cost effective and safe for me to drag out the ramps and start into it all for $10!!!

heck, we paid my buddy $20 to drink some jungle juice that had lived in the fridge for 2 semesters ... $10 is waaayyy to easy.

ISUAlum2002 · 07-06-2007, 12:06 AM

Ramps? Blahahahaha........

10 minutes, tops, and its done. And yes, I feel manly afterward.

However, this is coming from the same guy who has pulled engines, transmissions, rear differentials, rebuilt them all.........and I refuse to pay anyone to do ANYTHING that I can do myself.

SlyCy · 07-06-2007, 12:37 AM

I picked up 2 MPG on my 2005 Dodge Ram with a K & N air filter.

I change my own oil with Pennzoil and have yet to have a car that has died with less than 200,000 miles on it.

I change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 and have no doubts that the oil company came up with the 3,000 number however it's still pretty dirty oil when I drain it. It's a good investment.

herbiedoobie · 07-06-2007, 03:34 AM

If you change SYNTHETIC oil every 3000 miles, you are changing too often. 3000 is a good mileage to change for mineral-based oils.

Synthetics flow much better, and cling to metal parts, longer. You can do some experiments yourself, if you'd like. In cold weather, they make for easier starts and much less engine wear.

Problem is, if you have an old, leaky engine, the synthetics will flow right out onto the ground, too. I run 10W40 mineral in my cars because they are both leaky old critters.

Nothing wrong with reusable air filters; it's funny that they are now "high tech" as that is what my '38 Dodge uses, stock.

One of the reasons I change my own oil: A reputable mechanic won't change your oil for $20, and the places that do are run by incompetents and/or crooks, who will strip out your oil pan, or leave the plug out and ruin your engine. They're not all incompetent, but sooner or later, you will get burned.

Incyte · 07-06-2007, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

If you're regularly putting 6,000 to 7,500 miles on your car (in any mix of driving), you're doing serious damage to your car. It may not show up right away, but you can bet dollars to donuts that you're heavily shortening the working life of that car. I suggest changing your maintenance schedule.

Actually my maintenance schedule reccommended 7,500 miles for highway driving. Being that car lasted about 235K, I don't think it was too hard on it.

My wife's '98 Cadiallac calcuates how often you need an oil change based on life of the oil, miles, and how fast the oil temperature rises. Typically the car doesn't reccomend an oil change until about the 6,000 mile mark.

dmclone · 07-06-2007, 08:46 AM

herbiedoobie is correct about changing synthetic oil every 3,000 miles. It's a waste.

I use Mobil 1 synthetic in mine because it's turbo charged and I change the oil every 5-7K miles. VW says that it's only needed every 10K miles.

Some of the newer cars have sensors that will tell you how often to change the oil and most of the time it's pretty high. I've heard of Porsche's going 15K-20K miles without an oil change.

Cyclonesrule91 · 07-06-2007, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

ok ... so if I get a oil change for, lets use round numbers, $20.

minus your quoted $10 of materials, I need to think its cost effective and safe for me to drag out the ramps and start into it all for $10!!!

heck, we paid my buddy $20 to drink some jungle juice that had lived in the fridge for 2 semesters ... $10 is waaayyy to easy.

I do all the maintenance work on my vehicles because, quite frankly, I would rather do it myself and since I am under the car, I can check out the brakes, look for any leaks, and check it out to see if any other work needs to be done. You take it to a oil change outfit, all they want to do is get the oil out as fast as they can and get the car the heck out of there so they can keep the money coming in. Pay some kid $7 bucks/hour to change oil, you think he is going to look for other potential problems like I would having $15-30,000 in a vehicle???? I think not.

My 98 S10 has 183,000 miles on it and almost everyone is surprised by the way it looks and drives. I replaced a fuel pump on the 4th. I bought the fuel pump at Napa for $250 and spent 4 hours installing it. If I would have taken it to a garage, they would have charged me $600 for the pump and $300 to put it on. So, my 4 hours of time working on the truck made me $162.50/hour. Pretty much a no-brainer IMO if you are mechanically minded and like to do that stuff.

bostinelosd · 07-06-2007, 09:24 AM

Sorry I didnt clarify. I have a 2000 Honda CRV and a 2001 Honda Civic. Neither one is a speed beast. I plan on driving the CRV till it falls apart. The civic we want to trade in a year or so. For the K&N filter, I was looking more for better airflow and longevity. Not too worried on the more horsepower on a 4cyl. ha ha. I just started using Synth this last time around so I will definitely go longer between oil changes. I would like to start doing more maint. Im no car hound so it will be new to me. Is there any other simple things I can do as a learner?

Cyclonesrule91 · 07-06-2007, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Is there any other simple things I can do as a learner?

Have you got a buddy who works on cars? If you do, hang around him when working maintenance or have him help you a couple times when you are working on your Honda's, you will pick it up pretty quickly. Each time I buy a car, I buy a Chiltons service/repair manual for them and they can walk you through things pretty well also.

bostinelosd · 07-06-2007, 09:58 AM

Oh man I am hurting in that one. None of my friends work on their cars or like sports. I feel like Im on a deserted island of manliness. Ill have to pick one of those manuals up. I had one for my 90' Accord years back but wasnt really into doing my own stuff back then.

ornryactor · 07-06-2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

I do all the maintenance work on my vehicles because, quite frankly, I would rather do it myself and since I am under the car, I can check out the brakes, look for any leaks, and check it out to see if any other work needs to be done. You take it to a oil change outfit, all they want to do is get the oil out as fast as they can and get the car the heck out of there so they can keep the money coming in. Pay some kid $7 bucks/hour to change oil, you think he is going to look for other potential problems like I would having $15-30,000 in a vehicle???? I think not.

That's why it's so worth it to find a family-owned garage in the area and become a regular customer. Get to know the owner and employees (shouldn't be tough if it's a smaller operation) and they will most likely treat you like royalty. My family has been going to the same mechanic in Iowa City for three generations and something like 40 years, and I still can't believe how good they are to us. We get every other oil change done there (the other one is done at a Goodyear place that rotates our tires for free since we bought them there), and go there if there's other problems. Even if we just want an oil change, that shop will look over the whole engine, brakes, wheels, check the tire pressure (and even it out if needed), et cetera and so on. If they have time, they even take it for a drive around the block to make sure they don't notice any problems while driving. They do all this but the only thing we're charged for is an oil change. They've saved both me and my dad hundreds of dollars by catching something before it gets really bad (and either breaks something else or is dangerous to drive with).

I'm telling you- it's worth it.

All that said, I finally need to find a reliable garage here in Ames. Preferably family-owned (as opposed to a chain) with ASE-certified mechanics, thought that's not utterly necessary. I'd really like something in Ames (the closer to campus the better, even) but I'm willing to drive to another town in Story County if there's someone that's highly recommended. I've been thinking about going to Campus Garage on the corner of Lincoln Way and Hyland. Any suggestions?

isufbcurt · 07-06-2007, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Ok, here's the deal. I change my own oil and stuff to save money and to the fact I just don't trust many with my car for those easy things. I am looking to change my air filter and have been looking at K&N filters because they are washable, 10 year life expect. and supposedly help overall with airflow. My question is, Has anyone bought anything like these filters before? Are they worth the 35 dollar price tag? I have also been using synthetic oil as well for oil changes. Is this worth it? I hear things and decided to try it.

Not a fan of K&N Filters and here is why. Yes they are washable but the oil you have to put on them allows the dirt and dust particles to stick and plug it. With a standard paper filter the filter still collects the dirt and dust but it doesn't stick to the filter. This is just my opinion and it is based soley on the fact that I race cars and this is what we noticed in racing. Also with a paper filter you can clean them out, you just take and air hose and blow it out everytime you change the oil.

As for oil, I change the oil in my Ford Explorer every 2,000 but I also drive it really hard. I don't use synthetic but I prolly should.

Cyclonesrule91 · 07-06-2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

All that said, I finally need to find a reliable garage here in Ames. Preferably family-owned (as opposed to a chain) with ASE-certified mechanics, thought that's not utterly necessary. I'd really like something in Ames (the closer to campus the better, even) but I'm willing to drive to another town in Story County if there's someone that's highly recommended. I've been thinking about going to Campus Garage on the corner of Lincoln Way and Hyland. Any suggestions?

I agree on your first point about finding a family business to work with. I like to work on my vehicles so I never become a consistent customer since I figure I can do it myself. The fuel pump quotes I got for $900 came from a family garage in my area that I have had them do stuff that I didn't want to tackle(ball joints in front end and re-aligning). I couldn't believe there was that much difference.

On the Ames garage's. I am not too familiar with what is there now but stay the he** away from Benson Buick. Them SOB's took me to the cleaners when I was down there in college. Was having some computer issues with my 82 Regal and told them to check it out and then give me the quote before they did the job. They worked on it, never called me, and then wanted $600 and didn't fix anything.

Back in 1987, that was a lot of green for this freshman so I will do all I can to prevent them from getting any business from anyone. They are the reason I decided to figure out how to fix stuff myself. Good luck though.