Oil Change!

msmyer · Post by **msmyer** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 7:33 am

I just got back from the dealership to get my oil changed â€¦.to make a long story, they didnâ€™t have time to do it (first come first serve, no appointments and $31 cost)!! Do most of you, get your oil changed at the dealership??? Because neither (Pep Boys or Auto Zone) carries the filter to do it myself and I doubt that if they donâ€™t carry it then another place (i.e. Jiffy Jube ect.) would!!!???

Post by **NSimkins** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 8:22 am

quote:Do most of you, get your oil changed at the dealership??I just went to the dealer on Tuesday for some minor warranty work and had them change the oil this time. I will more and likely change it myself from now on.quote:they didnâ€™t have time to do it (first come first serve, no appointments and $31 cost)!! I try to get there when the service department opens at 7:00am. Of course any warranty work I need done I make an appointment. My dealer charges about $22.00 for the "GM Goodwrench Service Plus" oil change. I got some coupons in the mail from the dealer recently.

Flip-Side · Post by **Flip-Side** » Wed Oct 09, 2002 12:42 pm

If the dealership is known for good work, and the change is under 25 bucks I'll do it. But everytime someplace besides me does it, they strip out my dang oilpan and/or crossthread the plug when its put in. Every vehicle I have owned...so now I change it myself.

LocDog · Post by **LocDog** » Thu Oct 10, 2002 4:38 am

oil change? D'oh i knew i forgot to do soemthing...

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:40 am

Sputnik just had her first oil change! Boy does she stink now... I had to put the window down on the way home. Do all oil changes smell so bad? I never smelled it in my Cavalier. I always take my car to the dealer. Just something I prefer even if it does cost a bit more. The dealer I got the Cavalier required an appointment for an oil change. Where I got my Vibe they don't require an appointment.

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:54 pm

quote:Sputnik just had her first oil change! Boy does she stink now... I had to put the window down on the way home. Do all oil changes smell so bad? I never smelled it in my Cavalier. Did your mechanic fart in your VIBE? An oil change shouldn't stink. A diaper change should stink but not an oil change.

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 1:28 pm

quote:Do all oil changes smell so bad? I never smelled it in my Cavalier. If the technician spilled a little oil on the engine (area) it may burn off over a few days or so. That could be the smell you notice. Also could smoke a little while it burns off. However inconvenient, it's nothing serious.If it lasts for over a week, it may be of a concern.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 7:43 pm

It wasn't a Fart smell!

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 7:44 pm

Thanks Nick! I shall keep a "nose" on it.

Stang2Vibe · Post by **Stang2Vibe** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 7:49 pm

I have been changing my own oil for several years now. I have also had the crossthreaded/stripped out oil drain plug problem courtesy of Jiffy Lube. You learn to change oil pretty quick after shelling out $15 for a new drain plug. The typical oil change at home in my garage took 20 minutes and using regular 5W30 Pennzoil and AC Delco Duraguard filter ran me about $13-$15. I agree with the other guys here, the bad smell is probably oil burning off the outside of the engine that was spilled when a careless tech was refilling it. Probably too lazy to go find a clean funnel (been guilty of that one myself). If you continue to smell it after a few days of driving, check your oil level and take it back.

Stang2Vibe · Post by **Stang2Vibe** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 8:04 pm

I like to change the oil in a brand new car after about 1,000 miles to clear out any small metal filings from the new engine breaking in (piston rings rubbing against a newly honed cylinder lining). I know several changes are due at early intervals following a rebuild and I like to change early on a new engine. Does anybody know if the manufacturer bothers to break in the new engines and change the oil before they leave the factory? I've heard debate over this but am not sure either way. Also, do any of you do something similar? I'm told by several gearheads that this is a good practice just in case.

Vibey · Post by **Vibey** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 3:44 am

My wife is using the VIBE for city driving only, so I am going to do the 1st oil change when she put on 1000 Km (about 600 mi) on the VIBE. One thing for sure this will not hurt the engine.

shenandoah24 · Post by **shenandoah24** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 10:58 am

you have to be careful if you get someone else to change the oil. My other car is a 1998 cavalier and the dipstick is attached to the oil "cover" I would call it (the thing you unscrew to put the oil in). Jiffy Lube broke that thing 3 times so I always take it off myself for them now on every car---that thing costs 14 dollars and is only available from the chevy dealer. (I don't think the car is worth $14.00 anymore with 150,000 miles on it...haha!) I never change the oil myself ( I really should learn how to do it) but I like for them to vacuum it and clean the windows...Believe it or not--I can do brakes....(even if I don't know the technical term for the oil cover). Brakes jobs are a REAL rip-off. Front brakes actually cost $21.00. They charge $75.00. Why is that??? It takes like 20 minutes. I wish my husband were a machanic.......

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 6:38 am

Well! Turns out there was something wrong with my oil change... they forgot to put the oil cap back on the tank! I was driving around today with a friend and she noticed the smell as well. Then I got to her place, got out of the car and noticed blue smoke coming from my hood. So we opened it up and right away we noticed there was no cap and there was oil EVERYWHERE! Amazingly the oil cap was sitting still near the engine and we hadn't lost it. So I called the service department at the Pontiac dealer. He told me to bring it in Monday and they would shampoo the engine for me. I think I'll start taking it to my Chevy dealer where we got the Cavalier. Much better service - less wait time for an oil change. How can a service department forget to put a cap back on? Its not like they've never done an oil change before!!

baltimore17 · Post by **baltimore17** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 1:35 pm

quote:So we opened it up and right away we noticed there was no cap and there was oil EVERYWHERE! ... He told me to bring it in Monday and they would shampoo the engine for me.Before you drive it again, check the oil level on your dipstick. Make sure you're not driving around three quarts low on a four quart engine.Before my first experience with JiffyLube, a friend warned me to pull over to the curb after leaving the place, open my hood, and check for missing caps. Sure enough, the windshield washer fluid tank cap was off. Not as bad as the oil cap, but worth checking for. This is why I do most of my own oil changes.

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 5:59 pm

Is the oil cap that thing that has the number '710' on it?

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 6:34 pm

LOL! That's a great blonde joke.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 9:13 pm

quote:Before you drive it again, check the oil level on your dipstick. Make sure you're not driving around three quarts low on a four quart engine.We checked the dip stick yesterday afternoon after it had sat for half an hour or so - it was between the full line and the low line.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Mon Nov 11, 2002 9:34 am

Well I got the engine shampooed for free tonight and my next oil change is also free. That horrible smell is now gone.

Cubanpete · Post by **Cubanpete** » Mon Nov 11, 2002 10:45 am

Yes, this is true, there is break in, and the first 3 oil changes done at 1000 KM are for sure a great health improvement to your motor,I then would change the oil every 3000K, I couldnt care what my delaer says. If I own the vehicle...I always follow this guideline, If its a work lease job then I change it every 5000K as they recommend. I have done this on both my stang and my iroc when I bought them new. Neither of those 2 cars never gave me engine trouble, never.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Mon Nov 11, 2002 11:15 pm

Can you stand another oil change story?My Hondas were pretty miserable to get at the oil filter, when I saw the oil filter peeking at me under the hood of the I figured I could get back to doing it myself.Armed with the Oil filter #'s from another post on this site I went down to Superstore (Canadian grocery chain) and was pleased that I could get a Fram filter and Esso oil along with my milk and eggs. So far so good.Then I went to Walmart where I bought ramps that have extensions available as well for vehicles with low air dams. I decided to try the ramps without the extensions first. At this point I figured I was ahead $12 on the oil and filter and the $25 ramps would pay for themselves by next summer Saturday at noon the temperature made it above freezing so out I go to the driveway, and begin wasting a Saturday Afternoon.Spent 1/2 (approx.) hour putting together the ramps and gathering tools. Played with skateboard that my daughter had to have 8 years ago and used twice. Will use as creeper. The ramps barely touch the air dam on the way up. Worry that the descent will damage the air dam. Spent 1/2 hour finding my old oil filter wrench I put away after struggling with the Honda's 10 years ago.Spent 1/2 hour trying to make the oil filter wrench fit. It is too big for the filter. A rag, leather glove around the filter won't work Take the off the ramps, verrrrryyyyy slowly. Drive back to Walmart. 10 minutes.Tried to find a wrench that fits the tiny filter. None available. Bought ramp extensions. $20. 15 minutes.To Canadian Tire bought two "Boa Constrictor" rubber strap wrenches. $10. 15 minutes. Back home. Assemble ramp extensions. Put back on Ramp. Much easier with extensions. Wouldn't want tires any wider. Stock tires just fit. 15 minutes.Small Boa wrench has the space to manoever, strap wants to fall out of handle. Grrrrr. Small Boa slips on filter. Grrrrr. Large Boa can't swing on driver's side of filter. Grrrrr. Move Boa to passenger side where there is about 2" of travel. Filter is very tight, which is why the small wrench couldn't move it. Grrrr. Large Boa did the job! 20 minutes? The rest of the job went as normal, was enjoyable as usual. 15 minutes including cleanup. Total time this time: 4 hoursBill this time: $68Time estimate for next time: 30 minutes.Cost estimate for next time: $13# of oil changes to get payback/break even point: 5 Frustration value of daughter telling me that I can get my oil and filter changed and car cleaned inside and out for $25: Priceless

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Mon Nov 11, 2002 11:43 pm

LOL. Good one. Don't forget to dispose of the old oil in an environmentally friendly way. That may add to the cost and extend the break even time somewhat. Congratulations. You've got me thinking about doing my own oil changes too. Another thing to note, because you are saving money doing it yourself, it would be cost effective to use synthetic oil.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 1:34 am

Sorry I didn't add the painless activity of 5 minutes of dumping the oil at the work garage recycling depot. Considered it. Maybe next time before I drive to the Florida Keys and back.

ngilbert · Post by **ngilbert** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 5:10 am

My dealership here offers oil changes in "packs". I bought a 6-pack of oil changes for $99.00 + tax (CDN). Works out to $18.65 per change. I can barely get the materials for that, not to mention I don't have to get dirty doing it, no cleanup and no heading to the recycling depot to dipose of the used oil!

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 5:31 am

quote:Well! Turns out there was something wrong with my oil change... they forgot to put the oil cap back on the tank! A friend of mine had the same trouble. The mecanic forgot to put back the oil cap. He left it on the motor head and he close the hood. It made a big bump on the hood......This is the porriest mechanic I ever heard. They had to remplace the entire hood. I do not wish this to anybody.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 5:32 am

I would rather hang around my back yard than a dealership. I would rather buy my wife and I a coffee and save the $5 or $10 depending on where you go.

Sputnik · Post by **Sputnik** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 5:53 am

I can't do an oil change myself.... I don't even have a driveway to do it in even if I could. I'd rather pay the extra $$ to get someone else to do it for me.

ngilbert · Post by **ngilbert** » Tue Nov 12, 2002 6:20 am

I'd rather hang out in my back yard too, but sitting on my patio with a cold beverage rather than crawling around on my back getting dirty. Besides, I'm in and out in 30 minutes at the dealership, not too bad in my opinion. And it's just that, my opnion. I love my car, and I like doing things for myself. For me, the difference in price (literally a few pennies) just isn't worth it.

shadow · Post by **shadow** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:39 am

Well, many of you have valid points. Saving $ is good. Convience is good, especially when it only costs a couple of $. My problem is that I've had most of the experiences listed in this topic: oil cap left off, overfilling, underfilling, oil all over engine, windshield washer cap left off, etc. Living in an appartment it sucks to do your own oil however it seems that every other time I get it "Professionally" done they screw something up. It doesn't matter who does it; Dealer, Jiffy, Firestone, etc. After this last exerperience http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1593I guess I'll have to suck it up and start crawling under my car in the parking lot. Yuck!!I guess it comes down to piece of mind. Some of you may have done serious damage to your car with the oil cap off, etc. I called Pontiac after this last incident and had them document everything (800-762-2737 -US, 800-263-3777 - Canada). That way if I ever have an engine related issue you bet they'll be hearing from me, in warranty or not!

robodog61 · Post by **robodog61** » Mon Dec 23, 2002 11:21 pm

Hello, I have a question. I usually change the oil myself on all my cars and did the first one for my Vibe at 3,000 miles. The second one at 6,000 is due soon and I want to do it myself again. My question is that the owners manual says get a chassis lube. Is it necessary? Will I have to take my Vibe to the dealer for every other oil change? How do people who change their own oil handle the chassis lube? Thanks.

Mayberry · Post by **Mayberry** » Thu Jan 02, 2003 11:14 am

sorry, can't help with the chassis lube... but I did want to warn others, that if you do take your Vibe to the service center, you may be paying higher prices for the oil change than posted, because of the higher cost of the oil filter. This happened to me, seeing that the filter was about $12 more than the conventional filer.. Also... for those that have had problems with service from their GM dealer.. I would try going to the Toyota dealership. I have yet to try this for maintenance issues, but it would be a backup plan in case GM was totally booked..

Rico Rose · Post by **Rico Rose** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 2:37 pm

I had a bad experience with my local dealer the first time i took it in for an oil change. they cross-threaded the oil filter (not the drain plug), i had to leave the car there for 2 days while we waited for a part from California. The dealer gave me 4 free oil changes. I haven't used them (like i would let them touch my car again). i have been doing my own. switched to Castrol Syntec 5W30. using Fram PH4967 filters ($3) at Walmart. together they cost about the same as an oil change at the dealer. i know it is getting done right and i am using better oil. The filter is the same as Toyota Corolla...

Post by **NSimkins** » Fri Jan 03, 2003 10:26 pm

Which dealer? Being we probably go to the same one, I would be interested in knowing which dealer it was.

Rico Rose · Post by **Rico Rose** » Sat Jan 04, 2003 2:12 pm

I took it back to Buick/Pontiac Youngstown on Market St. I really have not had good luck with that dealer. Their sales dept did a good job, but the service dept hasn't. It might be an isolated incident but I'm not going to take that chance. I have since taken my Vibe to Pace Pontiac in Niles for some minor warrenty work and have had better luck.

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:56 am

quote:I took it back to Buick/Pontiac Youngstown on Market St.I have never heard anything good about their service department. Sorry to hear about your troubles. Just seeing firsthand how their salespeople treated me the first time I dropped in to look at the Vibe quickly made-up my decision never to go back there.quote:I have since taken my Vibe to Pace Pontiac in Niles for some minor warrenty work and have had better luck. I had my oil changed at Pace a month or two ago and a few warranty repairs and was treated great. Others I know that used to deal with YO-Buick switched to Pace and never looked back.Hope you have better luck with Pace.

esjones · Post by **esjones** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:02 am

quote:Hello, I have a question. I usually change the oil myself on all my cars and did the first one for my Vibe at 3,000 miles. The second one at 6,000 is due soon and I want to do it myself again. My question is that the owners manual says get a chassis lube. Is it necessary? Will I have to take my Vibe to the dealer for every other oil change? How do people who change their own oil handle the chassis lube? Thanks. For my GMC Safari van, I just go to Jiffy Lube and say I want "chassis lube only." It is fast and usually around US$12. - Earl

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:53 am

Have you ever watched them doing the "chassis lube only"? If not, you're probably getting ripped off. I can't remember the last car I saw that didn't have sealed bearings. Maybe they're greasing the CV boot? I guess those vans are pretty old, so maybe you're not getting ripped off. Jiffy Lube told me their computer said my chassis didn't require lube...Are they just supposed to grease the park brake cables or something?

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:39 pm

That is correct, the Vibe needs no chassis lube like older vehicles. My Nova has 11 chassis lube points:2 upper ball joints (Vibe has no upper ball joints)2 lower ball joints (Vibe has sealed lower ball joints)4 tie-rod ends (Vibe has only 2 and both are sealed)1 Pitman arm joint (Vibe has none)2 Idler arm joints (Vibe has none)The CV joints in the Vibe as also sealed. Unless the boot has torn and allowed the grease to escape, there is no maintenance (expect looking for tears).The only thing that needs lubrication on the chassis is the parking brake cable.

robdog · Post by **robdog** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:59 am

My dealer gave me free oil changes for 36,000 miles when i bought the car, the have a drive in and drive out garage, it takes them a max of 15 minutes and they have clear windows in the waiting room so you can see them working on your car. This is the first dealer to give me such good service

baltimore17 · Post by **baltimore17** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:08 am

My first two cars were a chevy and pontiac. The dealers practiced "provocative maintenance" in that they always screwed up nearly as many things as they fixed. I learned to do my own chassis lubes, oil changes, wheel rotations, plugs & filters, freon recharge, battery replacements, coolant flush & fills and, brake work. My third, the Saturn, was serviced by a terrific, although expensive, dealership. I got kind of rusty, but after reading the various comments about knuckle dragging neanderthals running roughshod through your engine compartments, I think I'll break out the jack stands from hibernation.At least you can see the Vibe's filter from above. Is it possible to hook on a filter wrench without having to go under the car? My dad's 1971 Pinto with the english ford engine allowed that. The good old days.

robodog61 · Post by **robodog61** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:52 am

Thank you. I just learned that there really is no such thing as lube. My mechanic says he can't remember a modern car that has grease fittings. They are really talking about lubing all the cables, but I am not going to worry about that every 6,000 miles.

Rico Rose · Post by **Rico Rose** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 10:09 am

Is it possible to hook on a filter wrench without having to go under the car?[QUOTE]You can but it is a tight fit. the best practice is to not put the filter on too tight, only hand tight, then you will be able to loosen with your hand. K&N makes an oil filter with a 1/2" nut on the end so you can use a 1/2" wrench (takes up less space than an oil filter wrench) if you must use a wrench. I have not ever purchased a K&N oil filter but I understand it is one of the best you can buy, cost $9 - $10 ea.

Bdaz1 · Post by **Bdaz1** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 11:42 pm

quote:That is correct, the Vibe needs no chassis lube like older vehicles. My Nova has 11 chassis lube points:2 upper ball joints (Vibe has no upper ball joints)2 lower ball joints (Vibe has sealed lower ball joints)4 tie-rod ends (Vibe has only 2 and both are sealed)1 Pitman arm joint (Vibe has none)2 Idler arm joints (Vibe has none)The CV joints in the Vibe as also sealed. Unless the boot has torn and allowed the grease to escape, there is no maintenance (expect looking for tears).The only thing that needs lubrication on the chassis is the parking brake cable.Scott, THANKS for this posting. I just did my 1st oil change and thought I was missing something. No Lube - Yahoooo! Yet another reason I love my Vibe.

mrsamwong · Post by **mrsamwong** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:19 am

Does everyone always replace the washer with a new one when changing their own oil? And if so, is there a part number or particular washer I need to buy?Thanks,Sam

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:21 am

Quote Â»You can but it is a tight fit. the best practice is to not put the filter on too tight, only hand tight, then you will be able to loosen with your hand. K&N makes an oil filter with a 1/2" nut on the end so you can use a 1/2" wrench (takes up less space than an oil filter wrench) if you must use a wrench. I have not ever purchased a K&N oil filter but I understand it is one of the best you can buy, cost $9 - $10 ea.Pep boys sells an oil wrench "cap." It's a cover that is shaped to your particular oil filter, and it goes on the end of a 1/4" drive socket. Is VERY easy to use and has always worked for me when I had stuck filters:Looks similar to this:I got mine at pep boys for a few bucks. Well worth the money!Quote Â»Does everyone always replace the washer with a new one when changing their own oil? And if so, is there a part number or particular washer I need to buy?Thanks,SamI do when I can. I havent' changed my own oil in about a year (just never have the time), but when I used to buy my oil filter from the Toyota dealer, they threw the washer in for free. [IMG][/IMG]

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:39 am

from page 1 ...Quote, originally posted by Sputnik Â»Sputnik just had her first oil change! Boy does she stink now... When I read this I forgot that you call your car Sputnik

Baltovibe · Post by **Baltovibe** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:43 am

Quote, originally posted by mrsamwong Â»Does everyone always replace the washer with a new one when changing their own oil? And if so, is there a part number or particular washer I need to buy?Last weekend, I changed my oil for the first time. When I took off the drain plug, it dropped into the pan along with all of the captured used oil.When I went to retrieve the drain plug, I could only find the plug itself ... no washer was found. Was there originally a washer included with the drain plug?

DavidPIL · Post by **DavidPIL** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:50 am

Hi Balto...Yes.Check to see if the washer is still attached to the pan. Mine usually stays on but I check to make sure it's there when I put the plug back in. The last time I changed my oil, it came off with the plug. I'd just check to see if it's there and if it isn't, I'd get a new plug and washer from your dealer.Dave