Change own oil?

droopsnoot

On the warranty thing, I'm sure that now you can have it serviced anywhere and as long as it's done to the service schedule, it won't affect your warranty. This might vary between manufacturers, but I think it's an EU anti-monopoloy thing. So even if there isn't a local Nissan dealer, you could have it serviced somewhere else and as long as it's to spec, no problem. Also most manufacturers would agree that not having the oil changed in the engine wouldn't affect the warranty on, say, the gearbox (assuming it's not using the same oil), so it's not quite right to suggest that not having it serviced will automatically void the warranty in its entirety. Not that I'm saying that not having it serviced is a good thing, you understand.

It matters if you're planning on selling it soon, if you're going to keep it for a good few years, having a main dealer service history will start to matter less and less, as long as it's looked after.

Some engines use more oil than others as a matter of design. Some modern engines use "long life" oil than can be left in for 20k or more, though a lot of people change it more often just to be on the safe side. It all depends on the engine.

I'm a tinkerer myself, have stripped and rebuilt one classic car and am part-way through doing another one now, but I have the basic service on my daily driver done by someone else. It's not that expensive, I could do it myself for less money, but I like the idea that someone else has checked the car over and might have noticed something I missed.

fred7777

droopsnoot wrote: »

On the warranty thing, I'm sure that now you can have it serviced anywhere and as long as it's done to the service schedule, it won't affect your warranty.

This is certainly what I have been told as well.
Provided it is serviced to the schedule by a garage who stamp the service book the warranty is OK.

londonTiger

droopsnoot wrote: »

On the warranty thing, I'm sure that now you can have it serviced anywhere and as long as it's done to the service schedule, it won't affect your warranty.

The absolute bare minimum is to have it serviced at a VAT registered garage AFAIK. Anything that is not VAT registered/cash jobs etc does not count. Just bare that in mind. A lot of indies don't provide vat receipts and just write a cash receipt. Whether they declare the vat is anyone's guess. Just thought I'd clarify that - you can't get it serviced just anywhere.

I think the reasoning is that a VAT registered business is regarded as being more liquid, has accurate record keeping as is likely to be incorporated so fully transparent.

Ebe_Scrooge

londonTiger wrote: »

The absolute bare minimum is to have it serviced at a VAT registered garage AFAIK.

Correct - as per my post #4 above VAT registered garage using genuine parts, and the warranty will remain valid. This law was changed some years ago to stop the main dealers having such a monopoly.

scotsbob

REDDDRAGGON wrote: »

And finally, is it worth the hassle of doing it myself?

Yes.

How long does the garage allow old oil to drain out? Mine has all night to drain. I make sure the sump is properly empty.

You can make sure you have a quality oil and not something out of the large barrel at the back of the garage.

You will make sure you have a quality filter.

You will have the satisfaction of knowing the job is done your way, the proper way

[Deleted User]

I did it once, the sump plug slipped from my fingers and fell into the sloping container I'd put to collect the oil (required a magnet on a string to get out). I also had to drive to my local recycling centre to dispose of the oil. Apart from that it wasn't too much hassle, the filter unscrewed quite easily, no other tools needed.


When adding together the cost of the oil and filter, and my time and hassle, I'd say it's better to get it done at a garage. Kwik-fit used to do them for £25 - which is cheaper than buying the oil and filter in Halfords.


As other posters point out, you've no idea what oil they put in, nor how long they leave it to drain, so it depends how much you trust your garage.

Iceweasel

I am perfectly competent to change the oil and filter on my car myself - but I no longer do so.

I also love 'tinkering' with all things mechanical - but as far as oil and filters are concerned it is just not economically viable.

This is a money saving forum don't forget.

National Tyres will change the oil and filter while you wait and watch them do it - for less than I can buy the oil.

My car needs fully synthetic oil - I use Castrol Edge which costs £12 a litre in Asda, and I need 6 litres.

National Tyres will do the whole thing for me (with Castrol Edge and a think last time it was a Mahle filter) for £49 :T

http://www.national.co.uk/oil-vehicle-search.aspx

Just type in your reg and see what they would charge you - depending on how much oil it needs, prices start at £28.80

And you can download a 10% off voucher from that website.

It's a no brainer.

I'd rather spend the time saved washing or polishing the car and keeping my hands clean.

And no oil spilled on the drive. LOL

topdaddy_2

I would do a diy oil change on a new car after approx 1000miles once the engine has bedded. Easiest thing to do on a car engine after checking the oil level.

Richard53

REDDDRAGGON wrote: »

my mate is seems to be changing the oil on his bike every 5 mins!

With a bike, you have an engine that has much higher bhp/litre than a car (i.e. it's working harder), revs to perhaps 12,000 rpm and has sometimes as little as 3 litres of oil. Many manufacturers specify intervals of 4,000 miles between oil and filter changes, although that is changing to much longer intervals as well. Some bikers will cheerfully change the oil every 1000 miles. Frequent oil changes on a bike are probably a labour of love as well. So there's no comparison with your car, really.

A._Badger

Please don't assume that all filters are identical - they're not. If you want the evidence Google it - there's at least one site I've seen where some geeky soul has dismantled a variety of filters and explained the differences. Some of the cheap ones (even with recognised brand names on them) are, clearly, rubbish.

FWIW, I'd agree with the advice to stick with your dealer to get a warranty stamp. If you want to start doing your own changes later, use the correct spec oil and a manufacturer's filter - or one you can rely on to be properly equivalent.