Where do you go to get your oil changed?
 

I know some members here take their cars to get oil changed at the dealership, but what are other places that you all recommend? (Dont really feel like spending $70 again -_-;;; )

:tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

Most people here seem to DIY.

Doing it yourself is free. If too lazy, like me, pay any shop to do it, bring your own oil and filter and just pay for the labor. Make sure to watch them using the oil you brought in. If your next question is what type of oil? Pm Trips or AK :icon17:

$25 for 5 quarts of Mobil 1 at Walmart. Tools to DIY your oil change cost less that what you would pay for two oil changes at that dealer.

ahhh...im not wanting to do it myself haha
not that skilled yet.

Yep, my garage for mine. seemingly every month. lol

thanks to mr.jar im getting like $12 back per jug :tup:

cant wait to try out my new raceramps :p

Not skilled enough to change the oil? That's the task you learn to work on cars on.

it's super easy.

step1: open hood
step2: do oil change
step3: done! :tup:


..:ugh:

Don't you have to drain the oil from underneath the car and switch out the oil filter?

My free time is limited!! haha
Only times I have available are saturdays, but i'm always caught up with stuff on weekends too! lol

Yep, that's all it takes. You need ramps and a socket wrench. It takes 20 minutes. Follow the DIY here. Enjoy the feeling of keeping $35 in your wallet.

Changing your oil is one of the easier jobs - right behind changing an air filter. With the tray under the engine it's a little more difficult than on some cars but just a few extra bolts to remove/replace.

The biggest problem is getting under the car for access to the filter and drain plug. Get some ramps or jack stands - good ones aren't cheap but will quickly pay for themselves.


Most places that change oil/filter for a fee assign the job to an employee making minimum wage. Some of these folks just aren't very motivated to do a good job.

If you really don't want to do it yourself, you need to find a good mechanic you trust.
This can be at the dealeship, performance shop, or random place. My advice is to buy the oil, filter, etc. yourself & have someone do the work if you cannot do it yourself, but make sure you trust them and keep records.

yah, that's all included in Step2. :icon17:

since the tray requires removing, probably best not to let just anyone do the oil change.. like those jiffylube type joints.

ah ha.
I see...I tried calling Dynosty but their closed until the 24th and my oil change was due the beginning of this month lol

Local QuickLube or FastLane, sometimes Nissan dealer. GM dealer has Purolator filters, so if I'm taking it there, I just use theirs. I always bring a filter with me, however, as well as crush washers. The thing I like about the GM FastLane is that they don't mind if I kibbitz and inspect. Nissan dealer won't let me out into the repair bay.

Oil change is one of the most fulfilling diy you can learn. Its frequent and you know its done right. No where can get much cheaper than the dealers. You dont want to go to like a chain like jiffy lube where they will end up breaking your skid plate or worse your car.

The cost of tools you need for one oil change is close to the $70 you would pay at dealer. And it takes under 30 minutes to diy.

I would expect most m/t owners to diy vs a/t owners lol:tiphat:

Oh no you didn't...

:gtfo2:

You can just flip the undertray back. No need to remove it all the way. If you can't even DIY an oil change, go ahead and give up on modding cars as a hobby. It's the bare minimum.

I got the car because I love driving it. With the parts I bought, I would rather spend a little more money and have it installed professionally than myself. Because if I do it and mess something up, its gonna cost double maybe triple the amount. I'm also just doing slight mods, nothing too serious lol

The right thing to do would be to find someone local on here to help you install everything. That way it gets done right and you start learning how to work on cars. If you go post in your regional subforum I'm sure there's someone local to you who will gladly help for pizza and beer, maybe a little cash.

sounds like a plan! :)

RAMPS!! I could have done this with ramps? What the hell did I buy a hoist for then? :)

The part I enjoy about the Z is driving it. I used to be a mechanic, 40 years ago, and still do all my own work on my Harley and my dirt bike, but I have zero interest in working on my Z, even something as rudimentary as changing the oil. Likewise, no interest in the hassles of mods.

Everyone gets to enjoy their hobbies in the way that meets their needs and wants. For me, I'd rather pay someone to change my oil so I have that time to do things that I enjoy.

seriously?.....

Yes im serious. There were 2 places that I can't remember that they stated did a good job and didn't charge too much. Problem is I forgot which place...lol

Famoto valve = super duper easy oil change! Get the one with the tube attachment and just tuck it up when done?

The longest part of the whole oil change getting the car up enough to get under the car. That take about 5-10 minutes to do it safely. I have a few 8''x2''x2' planks that I drive up on then slide my jack under to lift her. I then proceed to place the jack stands and lower her onto them before I flip the switch on the Fumoto valve. Once the Oil is drained, you spin off the oil filter itself, put a new oil filter on, then close the Fumoto, get car back down, add new oil, check oil level, walk away and wash your hands. JOB DONE!!

An oil change is easier than taking off all 4 tires.

Check this out, how to do an oil change - Bing Videos

YzGYz

I prefer to take mind to the dealer for a few reasons. First, I really dont have the time or want to give up the time I spend doing other things to do it myself. Second, with oil consumption issues or any engine ssue for that matter, it's good to have a factual evidence of regular maintenance. Sure you can keep receipts and such, but this is less valuable in a potential dispute with a dealer/Nissan.

:iagree:

Definitely invest in some ramps and DIY, super easy.

I pay $32 at my dealer for Mobil 1 synthetic. I get the hook up since I have bought 5 cars from them in the last two and half years.
It would cost more doing it myself............This is how smart the Auto guys are!
:stirthepot:

:iagree:

Drive car up on ramps. Remove 4 undertray bolts. Drain oil into container by unscrewing the oil fill cap and removing the oil pan drain plug and oil filter. Screw in new oil filter and drain plug with new $0.50 copper crush washer. Fill with 5 qts and check level.

OP, also remember that your inexperience working on cars with proper tools, AK's DIY on this forum, your love of your car is a much better option than letting some minimum wage careless idiot work on it. They're as likely to screw something up. I never was a car guy before the Z. Now I do almost all my own maintenance and installs and have even helped out other local Z owners. I dropped the transmission in my garage with the help of a buddy and some of his tools (replaced my OEM CSC with Z1's kit). The Z is my DD, so I can't really afford to have downtime on someone else's schedule. Doing the work myself has saved me thousands of dollars in labor, no question.

I just bought 5 quarts of Mobil 1 for $25 at Walmart and got a $12 rebate ;)

Having to buy five cars in three years to get a reasonably priced oil change sounds like a terrible deal :stirthepot:

lol at the nissan dealer where i'm at they charge $35 for synthetic. So i'm geussing synthetic is ok with our cars.

The other big reason for the push to DIY is that you can take the money you would have otherwise spent on labor, and spend it on more mods.

I thought you said you paid $70. What did you get for that if they didn't use synthetic? Full synthetic is what you want. Dino oil isn't bad for it - just not ideal.

The full synthetic was around 70

I may just wait until Dynosty opens up and get it done next week since they are well known for our cars lol I hope they do oil changes as well!! haha

Yeah so $35 was for the blend (aka semi-synthetic). Your use of the term synthetic there was confusing.

u know, dats absolutely fine. there are professional drivers that dont do oil changes on their own cars... more like they've never even tried it.

just because i own a house dont mean im going to go up on the roof and diy my shingles.. :ugh: