• patchymoose@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    You can teach yourself how to change the oil on your car simply by watching YouTube videos. And then all you need to buy are a few basic supplies, and you’ll be able to change your oil for life. Oil changes are either absurdly expensive (dealership) or done half-assed (Jiffy Lube), so doing it yourself gives you a job done right for pennies on the dollar.

    And if you find that you have a knack for it, you can teach yourself more basic maintenance jobs like changing brake pads.

    • Ghoti@lemmy.fmhy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Also, if you have a warehouse membership from like Sam’s Club or Costco, they often have the synthetic oil you need for an absurdly low price.

      I was buying 5 quarts of oil for like $20-30, I bought a 4 pack of Costco brand 5 quart motor oil for like $40

      • HotsauceHurricane@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        I took more stupid long to realize you bought 20 qts of oil from Costco And not 5. Guess I need to learn that mental math stuff from earlier in the thread.

    • Hazzia@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 year ago

      Please correct me if I’m wrong because I am by now means a car repair afficionado, but isn’t disposing of oil supposed to be the problematic part of the oil change? At least from what I heard, getting rid of it in a legal/safe manner is difficult for individuals doing their own oil changes.

      • makanimike@feddit.de
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        1 year ago
        • gas stations in some countries will take it
        • the store where you bought it should take it (in most western countries)
        • you should be able to bring it to the recycling center (or whatever they call it where you live), or sometimes regional waste collector services have a mobile station for hazardous goods, and electronics that changes location every week. then just keep an eye out on when they are near your home.
      • idle@158436977.xyz
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        1 year ago

        Its a total pain in the ass and the most annoying part. Usually you can take it to an auto parts store in your area that has a container you can dump it. But half the time its full and isnt emptied for weeks.

      • patchymoose@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        In the US, all AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts will dispose of your oil for free. Also, most municipalities will take it at special centers (same place where you might go to dispose of electronics).

        Personally I have a designated where I let the oil collect from multiple oil changes, and then I take it to the county landfill maybe once every two years when there’s enough to justify a trip.

        It’s a small hassle, but worth it IMO. Just depends on what is available to you.