oil change questions

[dogginfox]

I normally just go to a quick lube type place to get my oil changed, i have been running a Kendall synthetic blend oil not sure what wt it is for about 2 years now. with the recent drop in temp my valves are clicking now till the motor warms up. Im thinking i should just start changing my own oil again to save some money but im not sure what the "rules" are as far as switching from synthetic to regular and all that jazz, also what wt should i be using?

 

[RSTX]

I use Motorcraft (Ford) 5W-30. That is the appropriate weight oil for my 2005. I've never heard of any "rules" for changing from regular to synthetic oil, or syn. to regular. Just change it and drive.

 

[Donner]

Clicking...

Hmm, I don't know the weight of oil I use either, but it's full synthetic. The recommended weight is inside the engine compartment on one of those stickers.

What causes clicking to occur? My engine is stock with no modifications to it... only a K&N air filter. You would save money doing your own changes. I go because they look at the entire engine for me (and for other reasons). Is it the oil that causes clicking or the fuel? In CA, you have to take your used oil to a recycle stop, that I know, but in GA, I don't know.

What's your overall benefit to changing your own oil, and how does that prevent the clicking?

 

[aldive]

Hmm. I go because they look at the entire engine for me (and for other reasons).

You want someone who flunked out of turning fries at McDonald's looking at your engine? I don't.

 

[Donner]

I don't know about that...

You want someone who flunked out of turning fries at McDonald's looking at your engine? I don't.

The people at my place I went to in No Cal took care of my trucks fluids, and it ran with no problems for 7 yrs... I sold it and it's still running.

My current Ex is maintained by a fluid shop here in So Cal, and they do a great job. I really don't know what they do, but if the vehicle keeps running, I'm a customer for life.

And why you wanna rip at them like that? I'm 40, and I don't see them like that... and I don't know them to be that. I can't agree with that...

 

[aldive]

Apparently you have been very lucky; there are a plethora of incidents where these quickie lube joints have caused major damage to vehicles.

Take a look at:

the tales of woe from members on this site as well as those listed below

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/jiffy_lube.htm

http://www.jiffylubeproblems.com/StateIndex.htm

http://www.theindychannel.com/station/14479142/detail.html

and so on ....

 

[Donner]

I see what you mean...

That is true, I've only used two facilities... so I always get the same people to help. Now, had they damaged my vehicle, I might agree, but I feel that in my case ignorance is bliss... I have no idea what they are doing to my vehicle, and couldn't distinguish one product from another... So if they mess it up, they pay.

This location here has a lot of young people that really know about cars, there's something about OC and cars... Thank you for the advice though... I will keep my eye out! Convincing argument too, I would never have thought twice about their service, but I check to make sure Taco Bell gets it right every time.

 

[Sleb]

I would not start using synthetic oil in a older truck. Here's why: As the miles and years rack up on your truck, the conventional oil can tend to leave some deposits in your engine (even if you change it regularly). That gunk build up can actually plug holes that develop that would otherwise leak. Synthetic oil has much more powerful detergents in it than conventional, and when you switch over on an older, higher mileage vehicle, those detergents can actually start to break up and remove those deposits like it is supposed to do. The down side is that it can actually remove the deposits that are plugging leaks, and a while after switching over, your engine starts leaking oil. Now, this doesn't always happen, but if it does, you are going to have to take your truck in to get those leaks repaired. Also, the detergents can start to beat up some gaskets if they are only in so-so shape, and that can also cause a leak.

 

[High_Order1]

I hate to send anyone away from a forum, but when I got my explorer, I did a LOT of research on oils and fluids. There is a forum called like www.oilforum.com or something like that, and that's ALL they talk about; lubrication. It was fascinating to the point it was too much data. What I took away was as long as you are changing oil at the correct intervals, it doesn't really matter unless there is something special about your engine (high RPM, high mileage, gasket / crud as the other guy mentioned.)


Far as the perinneal "Whos better at changing oil; me or them" debate, I don't think its' fair to indict an entire industry over the actions of a few places. I think any place that makes your food or does life-safety maintenance needs to be watched with a weather eye. That includes the dealerships, with their ASE certified experienced techs.

Does that mean I think they suck? No. I watch doctors, too. Why? Because they are all different. Some people live to come to work, some live to get off work. I find the ones that love working and that's who I trust.

I am just saying that it is rare that you can issue a blanket indictment of an industry and it be an accurate one. For the record, when I didn't have time, I even let Walmart change my oil.


-Shawn

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

www.bobistheoilguy.com forums are what you're thinking about.

As for a synthetic oil having more powerful detergents...Not true. The actual fluid itself (esters or polyolalfaolefins) have a natural cleaning ability and can cause leaks that were sealed by old crud to wash away and leak. Not always, but sometimes.

 

[High_Order1]

thanks eb - that's the place!

 

[Donner]

So what causes the clicking the poster stated?

What's clicking, and how does oil resolve the issue? Thanks!

 

[Redtrac01]

They make high mileage synthetic and synthetic blends that have additives in them to condition the seals to keep those leaks from happening. You can't get a quickie lube joint to put that oil in.

 

[Donner]

Who says

They make high mileage synthetic and synthetic blends that have additives in them to condition the seals to keep those leaks from happening. You can't get a quickie lube joint to put that oil in.

Yes, you can... and they will recommend it. I'll post a pic of the product on their shelves... I've not had a problem with these companies performing as expected. For those of us that need assistance with these types of things, even though we don't always know exactly 100% what the products do, we are aware of what we are spending our money on. Meaning, if we are not caring for our vehicles, and the shops are, they are doing a good job - my 96 was lubed by Jiffylube on Watt and Marconi... things happen everywhere, but they are very good. I never had a fluid related breakdown, sold at 125k, still running, and they recommended the high mileage oil at about 70k... I remember the girl very well, nice young lady

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'm sure we can find more problems from Ford's timing chain issues, cruise control issues, and tire issues than with quick oil shops... I guess we'd better not buy any Explorers either...

Point is, you are responsible for what you do to your own vehicle. If you're comfortable with the work performed, so be it. There is risk in everything you do. If you are interested in what they are doing, they will do a good job. I have no problem taking a vehicle to Wal MArt for a $11.00 oil change if I don't have time to do it myself. I'm probably 90/10 to doing it myself/taking it in.

 

[aldive]

Here is an interesting video about the quality of service at several California Jiffy Lube stores.

Take a look ....

http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/0503/9152183.200k.asx

 

[EasyRhino]

Here is an interesting video about the quality of service at several California Jiffy Lube stores.

Take a look ....

http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/0503/9152183.200k.asx

My own personal experience with bad service is exactly why I do not have anyone work on my cars (except me). I have had several friends whose cars were badly damaged by quick service places, dealerships, and chains. I have also had many friends (mostly women) who were badly ripped off with unneeded repairs costing hundreds of dollars. I can change my oil properly in 10 minutes myself and know that it is done correctly.

 

[Donner]

Consider who is able to do what...

At my local place, the majority of consumers are people who prefer to pay someone else to do that work because they have the financial means to do so, and therefore they get the best run shops... I don't have an $80k+ car, but many of their customer do, they are loyal and they trust the service they get. I don't change my own oil because I don't want to (and really can't), and the people that do it for me do it well - and they hold the door for a disabled guy, that and their service earns my respect and business.

 

[EasyRhino]

At my local place, the majority of consumers are people who prefer to pay someone else to do that work because they have the financial means to do so, and therefore they get the best run shops... I don't have an $80k+ car, but many of their customer do, they are loyal and they trust the service they get. I don't change my own oil because I don't want to (and really can't), and the people that do it for me do it well - and they hold the door for a disabled guy, that and their service earns my respect and business.

What you have there is the absence of which drives me to do my own work. I have moved around a lot, and on occassion have found a great shop that can be trusted. Other than that I will do my own, until I can find a place here.

Funny thing, at this point in my life I probably make about 20X what the guys at jif-o-lube make, but can still find the time to do the easy maintenance.

 

[Donner]

Understood...

What you have there is the absence of which drives me to do my own work. I have moved around a lot, and on occassion have found a great shop that can be trusted. Other than that I will do my own, until I can find a place here.

Funny thing, at this point in my life I probably make about 20X what the guys at jif-o-lube make, but can still find the time to do the easy maintenance.

I'm disabled, so for me trying change oil isn't going to happen. I can barely get under the vehicle to take a picture, so I have to rely on someone else... I'm okay with it.