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"Mark A" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Ko6dnenSDZSPH__YnZ2dnUVZ_tqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:73293$45623515> Having spent 15 years in the automotive business, my
> preference for oil[color=green]
>> changes are the dealership or I do it myself. If you are particular
>> about how oil changes are performed, go through the bother to purchase
>> your own oil and OEM filter, double-check the oil change to make sure it
>> is filled to the full mark on the dipstick and the oil filter is new,
>> then you may wish to invest in the additional 15 ~ 20 minutes to change
>> the oil and filter yourself.
>> --
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>
> I would like to change the oil myself, but I am not able to where I am
> currently living. Also, I have noticed that as I get older that either
> cars are getting lower, or I am getting wider. This makes it impossible to
> reach the drain plug without raising the car up somehow.
>
> I pay about $25-$30 for the standard oil change, plus about $22 for a
> 5-quart bottle of Mobil 1 5W-30 (purchased at Wal-Mart), plus about $10
> for a filter (usually Mobil 1). Since I use Mobil 1 full synthetic, I feel
> very comfortable in using a 6,000 - 75000 mile oil change interval.
>
> At a quick lube place (never Jiffy Lube) I stand about 10-15 feet from the
> front of the car (outside the garage) and watch what they are doing.[/color]

Even the low end of the prices you quoted comes to $57 for an oil change.
Our local Toyota dealer charges around $23 for an oil change that includes
an OEM filter, and even if you add $22 for the Mobil 1, that's $12 less than
the independent shop. Our local dealership is set up so that you can watch
the technician work on your car. Check around to see if any in your area
are set up so you can watch. For a little extra "comfort factor," choose a
dealership that has consistently received Toyota's Service Excellence and
President's awards. The criteria pretty much weeds out dishonest ones.

It sound like you are either pretty particular about the work done on your
car, or you do not trust the folks working on your car, or both. The vast
majority of the service departments I called on were very honest and
competent, IMO, much more so than the quick lube places. I am also pretty
particular about the work done on our cars, which is why I do most of the
work myself. Even from 10 feet away, there is no way to tell if the
technician wiped the oil filter mounting surface before installing the new
filter, if he over or under-tightened the filter or drain plug, or if he
installed a new drain plug gasket that the parts department gives me with
every OEM filter I buy. By doing this work myself, I know the work was done
correctly.

As far as a place to do the work, I'd cut a deal with a friend with a
garage, jack, and jack stands, or invest in a set of ramps.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)