should i get my oil changed at the dealership or elsewhere?

 

It doesn't really matter....

BUT, I always take mine up to the dealer, (at least my Cobalt).

My truck, is a different story (99 S-10)....

 

price difference? Dealer vs. a Oil place

 

good question whos got the answer

 

My dealer charged $76. Outrageous I say...

That was for an '08 TC... Mobile 1. No other work performed.

I'm not sure what a lube shop would charge.... not sure if I trust them. I guess that brings me to a question. Are the LNF and LSJ the only ones with that style oil filter? Or do other Cobalts (or other GM vehicles) have it?

I ask because even though it's a decent size town... there are not many SS/SC's or SS/TC's ANYWHERE around here...

 

I do it myself, $25 for 5 qts mobile 1 5W30 synthetic, and a $6ish filter. What do the other places cost?

Just did the gf's Malibu classic w/2.2 Ecotec, it uses the same oil filter.

 

not to be an ass.......but you could just DIY and saveurself anywhere from 30 to 40 bucks

 

I know some don't enjoy doing it, but I save SO much $$ on doing it myself. I purchased a set of ramps-$25, socket set with all other tools (channel lock pliers and all screwdrivers)-$30 and bought an oil container for $20.

These expenses have bought themselves in just over a month. And plus I can change my whole family's oil and all that for CHEAP!

 

id have to find another jack an oil catch and tools to snake down in there to get the filter. dunno.

 

The filter, I know it's redneck....but I used a pair of channel locks and some funky snake work to get it out, just because I didn't have the right size socket.

 

its a 1.5 inch socket.......get it at autozone for 8 bucks........i use it for my balt my moms balt and my bros HHR

 

Do it yourself!

It's cheaper and you actually know what kind of oil is going in your car

 

I thought it was an 1.25 inch socket.

 

I spend just about the same as I would at the dealer, but I much prefer doing it myself just so I know it gets done right.

 

exactly........and whats good dude havent talked to u in work chats in a couple of months lol

i think ur right my bad.......but i have the one that fits sorry for the confusion

 

i do it myself but thats because i work at a dealer and just kinda take the synthetic, but our cars are pretty easy to do so if the weathers nice do it youre self.

 

Working night shifts

 

these cars are insanely easy to change the oil on, no excuse not to change your own oil

 

I USUALLY do it myself.

I've moved and am without garage. I still could... it'd just be on the dirt. lol

 

While I'm CAPABLE of changing my oil, I'm not a big fan of rollin around on the ground if I can help it. I buy the oil ($45 for 5 quarts Royal Purple) and filter and take it to the lube shop where my ex works (Yes, still friends after 2 years).

 

Ah the dealership vs. lube shop ponderance. Since you do not wish to go the DIY route, you should consider a few things.

By going to a dealership for regular maintenance, you establish that you are a "loyal customer". When you are a loyal customer, if you have any warranty issues, they are more keen on helping you resolve any issues you may have, BUT this is not to say the dealership is the best way to go. I've seen and heard about a lot of tom-foolery and thievery in the dealership sector (e.g. paying for synthetic oil and not getting synthetic oil put in. The thieving bastard mechanic then pockets the synthetic and sells it on eBay).

That being said, any maintenance performed at any establishment generates a receipt or some kind of history in their database, along with the physical copy of a receipt you receive from a service. Having the paperwork proving your car is well-maintained not only helps you in the event of warranty claims, but can only HELP resale value, should you choose to sell the car later on. I am offended on so many levels by how many first-time owners selling their cars have little to no record of performed preventative maintenance. People really treat their cars like garbage. Hell I have more mechanical sympathy for my toilet than some do for their cars.

Personally, I prefer a place that will have your car in plain sight. Being watched is a pretty good incentive not to dick around with a customer's car. If there are no windows and if you're feeling extra generous, ask if you can personally tip the lube guy five bucks or something. Then ask politely if you can watch from a distance, and promise to allow the mechanic to work in peace. Yes, money talks, believe it or not. Even if it's just five bucks. If you choose to be a regular at an oil change place, and you find a mechanic that you fancy for whatever reason, you can always go to him. He'll know you always tip (and believe me, any tip for an oil change is always a pleasant surprise), you'll know the work will virtually always be flawless, and he will work on the car accordingly.

Another tip is to schedule an appointment for the oil change. Ask how busy it gets during the time you want your appointment. You don't want to wait a long time, but more importantly, you don't want a rushed job. As meticulous as I claim to be, during our peak hours, I will take minor shortcuts like not checking tire pressure on a TPMS sensor equipped vehicle, etc. I'm not proud of it, but the work is done as quickly and accurately as possible with compromises for reasons of time restraints. So yeah, long story short, make an appointment when it isn't busy. Everyone can appreciate not having to sit in a waiting room, and the service department appreciates getting a light load of work affording them to look over your car more thoroughly (Multi-point inspection or whatever it's called at your place of choice), which can only benefit you.

 

it is. I just bought it the other day.




And to the OP, dude. F*in do it yourself.

You need a jack and oil catch can................yeah and? They're called First-time expenses. The first oil change I didn't take the cobalt to a dealer for cost me 50 bucks after the oil catch, oil, oil filter, and tools. Still about 30 dollars cheaper than the Stealership. I just changed it for the second time the other day, this time............. 30 bucks after oil, and oil filter. It's not just a 10 dollar difference, buddy. 50 dollars is no chump change. Do it yourself.

Other bonuses:

>I used to sit in a dealership for 3 hours........for a damn oil change.
-----you can do it at your own convenience. and it takes like 20 minutes, seriously.

>Your car isn't in the hands of someone else.

> You know exactly what was done to it.

And all this talk about how hard it is to get the oil filter..........not hard. 1.25" socket, wrench extension and your golden. Any time I mod it always takes me 9 years longer than the manual suggests... I always run into problems........................and it still only takes me 20 minutes to change my oil. Seriously, that's saying something. Do it yourself.

 

Well, "road rage", while you are correct about initial expenses paying themselves off over time, I think the "rage" part of your name is rearing its ugly head. We need not get hostile with the Original Poster. It's not unreasonable to not want to change your own oil.

 

I didn't think he was attacking just pointing out how easy it is to do yourself.

Just nut up and DIY, it's not hard, anyone can do it and it will take less time.

 

read umrdyldo's post. then read under my username on the left.

i have a very blunt personality and i hate when people make excuses. yeah, i come across harsh, but just trying to save the guy a wad of cash by pointing out how ridiculously easy it is.