DIY Oil Changes

[kontrolled]

Historically I've paid for my oil to be changed in my 2014 ram 1500 by a small mechanics office in my old town and he was really good, but I usually paid around 90 bucks for oil change and tire rotation by him, using full synthetic 5W-20, since I have moved to a different state and cant seem to find a small mom and pop mechanics shop I'd like to start changing my own oil, I'm wondering if it's worth it to do it myself or just keep taking it to someone to get it changed, am I saving any money or just getting myself dirty for no reason

 

[Outdoors76]

it costs me $52 and 10 minutes to change my oil with a wix filter and store brand 5-20 full synthetic.

plus piece of mind i know i did it right and put proper filter and oil amount.

this also gets you under truck and hood to be familiar with anything going on...
time well spent if u ask me.

 

[JB1]

Change it yourself once and then decide

I changed mine a couple weeks ago, it wasn’t difficult however I’m lifted so it’s a little easier to get under. Make sure you have a pan that will hold the 7qts, I think mine holds 15qts. I bought a bigger size because I usually cause a wave when moving it

 

[Burla]

Well worth it, too many idiots will tighten oil filter too much, or drain bolt, or leave oil level too low, whatever. Read the oil filter in my sig, use a spun micro glass filter like RP or Fram Ultra. M1 and PUP are great oil choices as well. Autozone takes old oil and even pays for it.

 

[TMyers]

I have a 2500 Diesel. My local dealership charges $160 for an oil change using Mopar filter and Rotella 4T oil. I can change it myself for $60 or so if I can find oil on sale. Sam's has the 6 gallon case for $65 when I can catch it on sale and Amazon has Fleet Guard filters for $27 for a two pack.

 

[Pull Ya]

I think if you are physically able you will be money ahead to do it yourself, and as has been said, you will be able to keep an eye on other things under your truck and under the hood.
Jay

 

[S0CAL]

Historically I've paid for my oil to be changed in my 2014 ram 1500 by a small mechanics office in my old town and he was really good, but I usually paid around 90 bucks for oil change and tire rotation by him, using full synthetic 5W-20, since I have moved to a different state and cant seem to find a small mom and pop mechanics shop I'd like to start changing my own oil, I'm wondering if it's worth it to do it myself or just keep taking it to someone to get it changed, am I saving any money or just getting myself dirty for no reason

Indulge me please, whilst I jump on my shallow soap box....Every time you crawl under your truck you will have first-hand knowledge of what's happening to your truck over time. There are some good shops out there (Dealers included) that will get the job done come oil change time. But not a single one of them will ever put as much care into preventative maintenance as you, the owner. They see hundreds if not thousands of vehicles.

When I crawl under the truck to do changes I make a point of checking hoses, clamps, fittings, leaks, rust and debris. Personally, working on my truck is therapy. I am no master mechanic, just a shadetree hack. But I know the sounds, the smells, the textures, and the sights of my truck from stem to stern. And when I have a question, I come here to this forum. You are in great company here and if interested, we will help you get setup for oilchange success.

There are also horror stories of shops putting the wrong oil in, cross-threading the filter or the drainpan plug, etc. I just don't have time for that BS.

 

[Burla]

I always use rhino ramps as well, makes it a lot easier. Every other week you can get them off ebay deals 25 bucks shipped to your door. Kinda crazy and hard to believe, but I've posted them up many times, keep an eye on ebay daily deals.

 

[JB1]

Mine is easy to slide under lol

If you look closely you can see my zip loc bag

 

[TTU14]

I started DIYing oil changes when I bought my truck. I have ramps but don't bother with them on the truck. Get some gallon ziplock bags to prevent a mess when you take off the oil filter. Compared to my wife's Hyundai (which has the oil drain plug on the front of the engine, so when the damn thing is on ramps the oil doesn't drain...) the Ram is really easy. I think I usually spend about $45 for Mobil 1 or Penzoil Ultra and a filter.

 

[Burla]

What these guys said on the plastic bag as well, I think the qrt size is perfect, or larger. As you loosen the filters before the oil starts dripping, place a bad over it and the filter and oil will drop in the bag and save a lot of trouble.

 

[ExpressRules]

The garage I go to has been used for all my vehicles for over 20 years and I know the owner very well. When the truck is up on the lift they are ok with me looking under to see how weather is treating things down there.

 

[Pull Ya]

This might be helpful to some of you that do your own oil changes. I have had one of these on each of the last 3 4th Gen's I've had. Also have one on the "boss's Chy 300. They sure make it a lot easier and faster.
Jay

http://www.fumotousa.com/

 

[S0CAL]

This might be helpful to some of you that do your own oil changes. I have had one of these on each of the last 3 4th Gen's I've had. Also have one on the "boss's Chy 300. They sure make it a lot easier and faster.
Jay

http://www.fumotousa.com/

If I can rethread my drain plug, I will install my Fumato valve. And for the record, it WASN’T I who cross-threaded my drainplug fitting...

 

[tidefan1967]

If you have an Amazon account they have PUP (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum) on sale for $24.97 for the 5 qt. jug and access to a $10 rebate for 5 qts right there on the same page for a grand total of $14.97 for 5 qts. The RP filter that we're all so fond of is roughly $15 so for roughly $80 you can get three oil changes worth of oil and filters which is a hell of a lot better than one for $90 and the personal satisfaction of knowing that the job was done right the first time because you did it yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550...pID=51Tv0IT80JL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[1500canoe]

Autozone takes old oil and even pays for it.

They pay you for used oil? I usually just take mine to Valvoline and dump it in their tank out back after hours.

If you have an Amazon account they have PUP (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum) on sale for $24.97...

I've seen this, but it says "usually ships in 1 to 2 months", which scared me away.

 

[Pull Ya]

SoCal--that's what I like about this http://www.fumotousa.com/. Once you put it in you never have to take it out and anyone changing your oil doesn't have to mess with taking it out or putting back in.
Jay

 

[tidefan1967]

SoCal--that's what I like about this http://www.fumotousa.com/. Once you put it in you never have to take it out and anyone changing your oil doesn't have to mess with taking it out or putting back in.
Jay

Damn your right. I guess I should pay more attention in the future.

 

[S0CAL]

SoCal--that's what I like about this http://www.fumotousa.com/. Once you put it in you never have to take it out and anyone changing your oil doesn't have to mess with taking it out or putting back in.
Jay

Lol, I tried putting mine in and found my drain plug was cross-threaded. I swear I didn’t do it. It leaked, so I removed it, and until I can find what I believe to be a 14mm rethread tap, I can’t use it. So I just deal with the cross-threaded plug. Fortunately, it doesn’t leak.

 

[JB1]

SoCal--that's what I like about this http://www.fumotousa.com/. Once you put it in you never have to take it out and anyone changing your oil doesn't have to mess with taking it out or putting back in.
Jay

Which part number?