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"B A R R Y" <beech23pilot@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hFaih.26735$Ga1.7506@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...[color=blue]
> Phisherman wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> I change my oil myself because I enjoy working on my truck and don't
>> ever consider it a waste of time.[/color]
>
> So do I. Some folks find it relaxing and satisfying. If you hate this
> sort of thing, then you won't. <G> I usually follow the oil changes with
> a wash, wax, vacuum, interior dust, and glass cleanings.
>
> Other considerations:
> - I actually look at belts & hoses, brake and clutch fluid levels (wear
> indications), discolorations from leaks, coolant condition and color,
> etc... Most shops simply say they do this but simply pencil whip the
> form.
>
> - I can use full synthetic oil for less than a shop can use regular oil.
>
> - Old oil is easily disposed of when you use a capped drain pan. You just
> bring it back to the place you bought the oil and pour it into the used
> oil tank.
>
> - I also rotate my tires and set air pressures. Again, for real, not
> pencil whipped. While the wheels are off, I can eyeball the brakes and
> anti-seize the lug nuts. Leaky shocks and struts are also apparent with
> the wheels off.
>
> Many people actually think real mechanics do oil changes. They don't, a
> lesser paid "lube tech" does. During a "free" oil change, my local Jeep
> dealership destroyed every front-end grease boot on my '99 Wrangler with
> an air-powered grease gun, then completely denied it 45 minutes later.
> They couldn't explain the fresh grease all over the place! 8^(
>
> I can change my own oil and rotate my tires on both of my vehicles, a '99
> Wrangler Sport & '05 4x4 Tacoma, in about 90 minutes. This includes
> getting out and putting away the tools. Since both of my vehicles go ~
> 8000 miles a year, I do both at the same time, on a nice fall day, and a
> nice spring day. Fresh winter wiper blades on in fall, new "normal"
> blades in spring.
>
> Add in the detailing, some cold microbrew, and it's a great way to spend a
> nice day. <G>[/color]

Glad you have the time to do all that.... and that you do so few miles. My
Tundra was purchased new a month and a half before Katrina and has over
43,000 miles on it already. It takes me approximately 3 hours to get it
serviced at the shop($32), then take it to get it a bath($30 hand wash).
Having the truck down for those 3 hours cost approximately $500 in gross
reciepts for that morning. My Tundra is a service truck for my heating & air
conditioning company.
[url]http://new.photos.yahoo.com/noon_air/album/576460762351274778/photo/294928803769953025/5[/url]