local shops

[mastershake]

i was wondering if i bring my car into a local shop to get an oil change, will they have the certain oil im looking for or will i have to bring it in? (specifically mobil 1 high mileage synthetic)

also, same question but for spark plugs. if i want NGK iridiums will i have to bring them in or will the shop have them lying around?

kind of a dumb question but ive just been wondering :P

[Greencoupe2.2]

Why dont you change your own oil its not hard at all. Using synthetic won't really benifit you, unless you used it since your car was new anyway. changing your plugs isnt brain surgery either, im sure you could find thousands of how to's if you don't know how.

[Lucalare]

They'll either have the stuff you want on hand or they can get it from a parts store in town. Frankly unless you have the LA1 though I'd change your own plugs cause on a 4-banger it's cake.

[cherrington17]

If your going to PAY for Mobil 1 synthetic... your going to get RAPED.

a full change (not on sale) DIY is ~$35.
a full change (in shop) is like ~$95

same service, same product. (major difference is... even if your clueless... it'll take you an hour DIY)

If you have the V6, ONLY USE AC-DELCO PLUGS.

[spc2125]

dude im one of the biggest noobs here and enless your lazy or its too cold outside. i would suggest doing it yourself. its the easiest in the world. even i can do it

[kwhauck]

ha, I take our vehicles in.....

[[ion] C2]

If you bring your own oil/filter they will still charge you the same fees to do it as if you didn't. That's just how it works. I suggest you do it yourself.

Unless you have a friend who works at one.. then you can get your family's car's synthetic oil changes for $15 with a car wash coupon! hehe


Second issue.
Where in Michigan do you live?
You must come to the Alero Show & Straveganza in Lansing on father's day weekend.

[mastershake]

well, i will probably end up doing the oil changes myself seeing as its pretty easy. what do i put the used oil in though and where do i bring it?

also, i have the LA1 engine so changing the plugs myself is a no-go.

cherrington, why should i only use ac delco plugs?

and i live in grand rapids, and im pretty sure my graduation party is going to be that weekend but i will see what happens :P

[cherrington17]

Anything else in the V6 will make it knock. ONLY AC DELCO. (search the site. tons of people have had problems)

get a bin, bucket, or oil catch container to drain the oil into. Then pour it back into the bottles the new stuff came in (after you fill your car) and then take it back to the parts store. They dispose of it.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T DUMP IT DOWN A SEWER DRAIN.

[spc2125]

looks somthing like this
get it at most auto parts store

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N3321/full/9015450_bli_11837_pri_detl.jpg

then do what cherry said and dump it back in the new bottles you just used and bring it back to where you bought it.
be careful though, hot oil on your face does not too feel good

[Ttop191]

^ why am i not surprised that i heard that reply from you?

[RisenequinoX]

I usually just take mine into my friends work (Valvoline) He does it for free hehe :naughty:


^ why am i not surprised that i heard that reply from you?

^ haha idk why but i just bursted out with laughter

[mastershake]

will i be safe with ac delco iridiums then?

[mastershake]

..... also, am i going to have to spend over 100 dollars on a jack and jack stands?

[Ttop191]

hell no lol...go pick up a set of cheap steel ramps, i got a used set from a friend a while ago and they are perfect for oil changes

[cherrington17]

..... also, am i going to have to spend over 100 dollars on a jack and jack stands?

personally, i prefer stands to the ramps...

but you can get cheap jack stands, as long as they are rated for the weight of the car.

[03Sleepr]

stands> ramps..i hate ramps, and nice oil selection btw. you can get a jack, stands, and everything you need to do your plugs and oil change (all for less than what a shop will charge for oil alone)

and I never take my vehicles anywhere for work for the simple fact that I don't trust people I don't know with my cars, I've seen what happens and a lot of the time its not pretty..

[RisenequinoX]

stands> you can get a jack, stands, and everything you need to do your plugs and oil change (all for less than what a shop will charge for oil alone)

WUT?

I don't know where you get your oil changed or where you buy your jacks and stands at but it doesn't seem right!

[03Sleepr]

WUT?

I don't know where you get your oil changed or where you buy your jacks and stands at but it doesn't seem right!

well, a jack and two stands is on sale here for
$30

oil and filter $35 give or take a few dollars

and plugs..I'll figure $25 for the LA1.. I haven't changed them in the alero yet

so if you go to a shop and get higher end oil and filter, its cheaper or breaking even. should have clarified..

[spc2125]

feeling lucky? just use two jacks. and use that e-brake :lol:

[RisenequinoX]

well, a jack and two stands is on sale here for
$30

oil and filter $35 give or take a few dollars

and plugs..I'll figure $25 for the LA1.. I haven't changed them in the alero yet

so if you go to a shop and get higher end oil and filter, its cheaper or breaking even. should have clarified..


I see. I don't know what the Local harbor freight price for a 2 ton jack is but i know at autozone it's ~$100 alone.

If i pay to have my oil done its usually $29.95

[Greencoupe2.2]

I will never take my car to a shop to get the oil changed ever again, some idiot at a local valvoline way overtighntended the drain plug and ruined the threads on it, Luckily there was no damage done to the oil pan. This is one reason why I do everything my self, no one can be trusted anymore.

[mastershake]

is it necessary to replace the drain plug gasket?

and will ac delco iridiums be good?

[03Sleepr]

no its not necessary

[Greencoupe2.2]

Ac delco iridiums will work and last a long time

[TheEdgeofSanity]

is it necessary to replace the drain plug gasket?

and will ac delco iridiums be good?

ok, I have to say I highly disagree with the comment that synthetic oil is not worth it at higher mileage. I bought my car with 93,000 and started using Mobil 1 in it in place of conventional oil. At 151,000 I have not experienced sludge, increased leakage, or any other issues. In fact, I am happily reaping the benefits of greater engine component protection and longer change periods (around 5,000 miles instead of 3,000) which offsets the extra cost. It's a win win situation and I personally say go for it. I know that the penzoil oil change place by me offers a complete oil change (with conventional oil, mind you) , car inspection, and other fluid top-off for only $35. I also live in Michigan so that price should be comparable in grand rapids. Just so you know, your car can run 5w30 in all temperatures and 10w30 in temperatures above zero degrees Fahrenheit.

As for your spark plugs, use the same as original plugs which are AC Delco Type 41-963 (Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm). These plugs are meant for our cars and unless your engine has significant upgrades using other plugs will not give you any benefits.

If you want a copy of the owners manual, I have a PDF copy and can e-mail it to you. it gives lots of information on what to use/not use in our cars.

[mastershake]

ive read the owners manual like 6 times :D its like my bible hahaha

i read it before i even got the car....


which is preferred though, iridiums or platinums?

[[ion] C2]

copper for me

but go jump on the iridium train

[TheEdgeofSanity]

feeling very repetitive here but, platinum. platinum lasts 100,000 miles, is what our car was designed to run on, and is overall whats good for our cars. As everybody who has been on this site for a long time already knows, if you go with plugs that are full of gimmics, then your car is going to be angry at you and you'll find yourself spending even more money to buy the plugs that are actually supposed to go in it. C2 runs copper plugs because thats whats recommended for the 2.4 twin cam but you have the v6 and they call for platinum, so platinum is what you should put in it, especially if its stock.

to answer your original question about whether you can buy a specific brand of oil at an oil change place, its easy. call ahead. then you will have your answer. if they don't carry the oil, ask if you can bring your own oil and ask how much it would cost for the labor.

[Lucalare]

looks somthing like this
get it at most auto parts store

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N3321/full/9015450_bli_11837_pri_detl.jpg

then do what cherry said and dump it back in the new bottles you just used and bring it back to where you bought it.
be careful though, hot oil on your face does not too feel good

That's true, I was doing one on the ground once on a ranger, and dropped my filter wrench right in the drain pan. fortunately I got none in my hair or on my clothes, but a whole lot in my mouth, and water won't wash out oil.

[cherrington17]

is it necessary to replace the drain plug gasket?

and will ac delco iridiums be good?

Take a look at the bolt when you go to remove it. If its weeping oil around the bolt, OR after you take it out, the gasket is cracked/dry rotted... then yes.

A new bolt (with a magnet on the end to catch metal shavings) is only a couple bucks. I rounded mine off, so I had to get a new one.

If none of the above, no. Keep the old one. If any of the above, then yes.


Also... since your new to this. Loosen the bolt until you can turn it by hand. Then get your bucket underneath, and slowly turn the bolt by hand, pushing it up into the oil pan. (to keep oil from coming out) until you clearly have it completely unthreaded and the only thing stopping oil is the bolt your holding in place. Then quickly remove the bolt, and let the oil drain. (best way to avoid coating your hand in possibly warm oil)

Also... keep in mind the oil doesn't drain straight down. The pan outlet is angled slightly. Have your pan about 5" off to the side its angled on. Or else you'll have a huge mess when you miss it.

[kwhauck]

C2;576687']If you bring your own oil/filter they will still charge you the same fees to do it as if you didn't. That's just how it works. I suggest you do it yourself.

That's not how it is here. I take both out vehicles to a dealership with the Mobil 1 oil. Then they charge me around $15 for filter and oil, plus clean the inside of the car and wash the outside.

They way I look at it, if I wash my own car it would be $5-$7. The filter would be $3-$7. So basically the oil change costs me around $5.

I am willing to pay $5 for an oil change just so I don't have to do it.

[cherrington17]

I am willing to pay $5 for an oil change just so I don't have to do it.

hallmark of someone who doesn't know how to work on cars...
:p

[kwhauck]

hallmark of someone who doesn't know how to work on cars...
:p

:haha: :haha: :haha: right......

http://www.w3bdevil.com/forums/STFU-Bitch.jpg

[cherrington17]

Aww... gonna cry?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZFxuMq0qqRk/SwIzhsTO8eI/AAAAAAAAAVs/sq3QnY2D9X8/s1600/dawson-crying.jpg

Quick... someone call Kyle
http://standupwithpetedominick.com/forums/images/smilies/wambulance_logo.jpg

[kwhauck]

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/04/sb_presentations/image/eye.jpg

http://www.cobrapest.com/red-velvet-mite.jpg

[03Sleepr]

http://www.cobrapest.com/red-velvet-mite.jpg

What the hell is this, and why is it relevant here? it all made sense until this thing came along now I'm lost..

[zzyzzx]

then do what cherry said and dump it back in the new bottles you just used and bring it back to where you bought it. be careful though, hot oil on your face does not too feel good


I prefer to use used 2 liter soda bottles since I know that the fluid isn't going to leak out.

[Cliff8928]

C2;576762']copper for me

but go jump on the iridium train

The iridiums are factory issue (ACDelco #41-101)

Although, if you really wanted to use coppers in a 3400 it would be a #R44LTSM6

[[ion] C2]

What the hell is this, and why is it relevant here? it all made sense until this thing came along now I'm lost..

It's a mite.

Eye Mite


I might.

[03Sleepr]

C2;576805']It's a mite.

Eye Mite


I might.

ah, great explanation :thumb:

[mastershake]

wait, ok, so, which ones are stock, platinum or iridium. im getting mixed answers haha. i just want to know whats best for my car :P

[Cliff8928]

Depends on the year.... They started out platinum then went to iridium.

[mastershake]

2003. im assuming theyre iridium then?

[Lucalare]

I used platinum in my 03 and it works fine.

[Greencoupe2.2]

Iridium is the best plug you can get and they last the longest

[mastershake]

do i have to buy them pre gapped to the specs or will the shop thats putting them in gap them to the right size

[Ttop191]

depends where you go, if they are a truely quality shop they will gap them...but if the service quality like 90% of shops... >_> terrible...then buy pre-gapped, that's certainly what i recommend

[mastershake]

does ac delco sell pre gapped plugs?

hehe sorry for the ongoing questions

[[ion] C2]

and i live in grand rapids, and im pretty sure my graduation party is going to be that weekend but i will see what happens :P

I showed up the first time on my graduation party weekend.

[kwhauck]

graduation parties are overrated.......besides there will be plenty of parties in college!

[RisenequinoX]

graduation parties are overrated.......besides there will be plenty of parties in college!

money money money

[Ttop191]

graduation parties are overrated.......besides there will be plenty of parties in college!

that doesn't even begin to describe it...EVERYDAY is a party in college...I can't remember the last day i went without drinking at least 1 drink...speaking of which...I've got a beer sitting in the snow bank from last night...

[03Sleepr]

that doesn't even begin to describe it...EVERYDAY is a party in college...I can't remember the last day i went without drinking at least 1 drink...speaking of which...I've got a beer sitting in the snow bank from last night...

I think I'm going to the wrong college...maybe theres just to many cops in this damn town. were lucky if theres two or three decent parties a week
or maybe I just work to much..

[Ttop191]

well...basically...my floor is the absolute craziest floor on the entire campus...we alone have had more fines than the rest of the campus...and countless close calls...public safety is at the point where it makes rounds every 30 minutes here XD

[kwhauck]

I don't think that is a good thing.....

I don't want to waste my money like I see some of these kids, i mean come on this is the third time you are taking a 100 level class.......makes me sick....

I do enjoy a fine brew or wiskey or scotch, but I have limitations, and a family so I usually enjoy a brew with the boys once a week, and that's it....

[mastershake]

LMAO i like how we just start talking about colleges.

if it makes you guys feel any better im going to community college....

plus i do enough drinking already to be considered a college student >.<

[robalero]

use your jack that comes with your car......its free