DIY Car Repair: The Pros and Cons of Changing Your Own Oil
Whether or not you should change your own oil is a question that will launch many die-hard car mechanics off of their barstools. There are several ways to approach the answer, but the bottom line is that it really does not have much to do about money. These days, the cost of buying the materials to change your car’s oil yourself are pretty darn close to the cost of an oil change at an auto repair shop. When you then factor in your own time, you really are almost breaking even, compared to having your local Cincinnati auto repair shop take care of the oil change for you. Of course, this also doesn’t even factor in the cost of the tools you need to complete the job if you don’t already have them on hand.
Outsource Auto Repair: DIY Costs A Lot Of Your Time
Your DIY import car maintenance in your own garage will likely take at least 40 minutes to do. Unlike the guys at your auto repair shop, you probably don’t have all of the tools out, at your fingertips, and ready for an oil change at all times. Not only that, there’s always the possibility that a relative of Andre the Giant put your last oil filter on, making taking the old one off a fight for the ages. Not every auto repair task can always be completed without complications. Remember that time is not only money. It’s also football, beer, and lounging in a hammock.
Still, if you pay someone to change it, you’ll likely spend an hour at the shop, which also takes up your time. However, if you can spend that time doing something more productive or enjoyable such as lunch, computer work, or taking a walk. If you drop it off and take care of other things while it’s at the auto repair shop, that oil change will take no more time than any other errand. No matter how you occupy your time while waiting for your car mechanic to finish your import car maintenance, it’s still better than sweating on your back under your car while oil drips on your forehead. And you won’t have to worry about that extra step in home auto repair of going somewhere to recycle the oil.
The Real Benefit of DIY Auto Repair: Quality Control
On a Reddit thread debating the issue, nobody argued for the cost savings. It all came down to quality control. “Seen too many quick lube places and dealerships trash engines,” remarked on Reddit user. “I can do it myself and know it’s done right.” One argued that even though it was slightly cheaper to have an oil change done at an auto repair shop, doing it yourself pays off in “Satisfaction Bucks” for a job well done.
As another Reddit user pointed out, most auto repair shops don’t really bank much from the oil change. “You really aren’t going to save that much if anything, oil changes are a cheap low margin thing for shops.”
But if you do want to try changing your oil as a matter of quality control, WikiHow has an excellent post that walks you through it. This video will also help.
The Happy Medium: Quality from a Valued Auto Shop You Trust
The last option to consider is to skip the dealerships, the quick lube places, and your own garage, and find yourself a trustworthy local auto repair shop. If you do your homework, you are sure to find a Cincinnati auto mechanic will do the job right. And not only that, if you know how to change oil yourself, you can check your car mechanic’s work the next time if you do it yourself. It’s great to have a car repair shop that you can trust, but it doesn’t hurt to check things out as well.
