I don't like dealing with old oil either, but doing the oil change is kind of therapeutical in my case.
I can't trust these morons to do anything right. Heard too many cases when they ruined cars on a simple oil change.

 

I would never, EVER trust anyone at a Jiffy Lube, Quick Lube, EZ Lube etc... to do ANY work on ANY car.

Years ago I brought my Volkwagen Jetta to a Jiffy Lube and they proceeded to strip the thread on the plug. Another time they charged me for a new filter but clearly did not change it.

A Lotus would be the LAST car I would bring to any lube joint.

By the way, ask QBall here on LT what he thinks about taking a Lotus to any repair shop that isn't familiar with the car. All he was doing was getting new tires. Ask him how that worked out. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f231/fu-k-sh-cr-p-damage-30674/


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Just do it. Get one of those oil pan/accumulators and do it.

 

I use an oil vacuum and when it’s full I take it to pep boys and dump it for free. The vacuum is clean and safe so no worries about it in the garage.

 

 

As said above, your local auto part store will take your old oil.

Just buy one of the drain pan/carry can oil change dealies and do it yourself.

I wouldn't trust Jiffy Lube to check my tire pressure much less get ANYWHERE near my car with a wrench.

As a mechanic I have I corrected many of their mistakes which include, but are not limited to, stripped drain plugs, overtorqued filters, and drain plugs so loose the car had only 1 quart left in it.

Even one case of them opening a door so hard they broke the hinge.

BAN the lube joints. NEVER, EVER go to any of those, even with a Civic.

 

don't go unless you know the guys working there...

 

If you do all the work to get the panel off, then just do the oil change! I think getting that darn panel off takes longer than the oil change itself.

 

If you do a search here of 'jiffy lube', you'll find a few interesting stories.

 

Why not use the dealer? It's expensive, but there's a very good chance they will not screw up the oil change.

If you do it yourself, you'll want to get something to help remove the filter. In my case, it was on so tight that I had to hammer a screw driver through it *three times* (only managed quarter turn each time because of the lack of space) to get to the point I could unscrew it the rest of the way by hand. Maybe if I had gorilla arms, it would have been easier.

 

Took mine to the new dealer yesterday for an oil change and brake/clutch fluid flush only to find out that the original (purchasing) dealer had not tightened up the sump drain plug and it had been leaking. Additionally they have over tightened the filter. All my driving life, I had never paid for an oil change, done it myself, but now I live in a condo, I have no option...it hurts.

Why not use the dealer? It's expensive, but there's a very good chance they will not screw up the oil change.

 

I might call Qais (sp?) tomorrow to see if he stoops to oil changes. I can easily do it, just have to buy all the stuff to take off the filter, catch the oil, transport the oil, etc. Pain in the arse. But driving 40 miles down to Newport Beach and then paying $200+ is even worse.

Anyone know any other trustworthy LA South Bay mechanics?

 

Seriously, just change the oil yourself for the following reasons:
1) you get to pick your oil
2) you get to pick your replacement filter
3) you can give the oil enough time to properly drain (I let it drip for 30 min to 1 hour and go watch tv, I realize that's longer than it needs, but that's how long tv shows are)
4) it will make you a real man (your wife will make made monkey love to you and your children will respect and look up to you)

Please let me know if you need more reasons.

 

I can easily do it, just have to buy all the stuff to take off the filter, catch the oil, transport the oil, etc. Pain in the arse.

All the stuff to remove it is pretty cheap. A strap wrench is only like 5 dollars. If your like me and you use K&N filters, then you can remove the filter with your socket wrench. I use a metal tray that I got from the restaurant I use to work at to caught the oil. I have an oil caughter thing that the city of davis gave me for free but that thing sucks. I store the oil in an empty laundry detergent container that sits in an empty red line box. That then sits in my garage until I have to go to Kragen to buy more oil.

Like someone said earlier, removing and putting the diffuser back is the bulk of the work. Plus while your under you can also check the torque settings.

 

Ok...you guys won. I changed the damn oil myself. Castrol Synthetic 5W40 from Autozone. K&N HP2009 filter.

I have lovely tub of used motor oil in my garage. HAPPY NOW???

 

Yep! Wanna pop round and do mine now -poke-

 

Here are photos from my brother who took his TL to a jiffy lube type place. The AC was dripping on the tech, so he shoved the torque seal tube in the AC drain tube and forgot about it. Yes, this caused damage. The photos are from the Acura dealer who was diagnosing the problem.

 

well it doesnt matter if we are happy, but you will be when your car doesnt poop out on you. I used to work at a jiffy lube as a kid. you dont want to go there. They used to have me do some of oil changes and didnt have a clue back then what to do.

 

Good boy.

 

Taking in it to Jiffy Lube or any other ....Lubes is like going to Dr. Kavorkian to cure your cold.

 

Yes, now take the tub back to Autozone. They will have a tank for you to pour it into.

 

I used a local Jiffy Lube on occasion (for my old Z3 roadster). But... I spoke with the manager first, brought my own oil, filter, etc and installed the filter and drained the oil myself. Basically, I was paying them for the use of their facility, but at least I knew the job was being done properly.

Now, I have a garage, but it is a common one and we aren't supposed to work on our cars. I figure as long as I don't get caught working on the Lotus, no one will be the wiser, and I am always careful about disposing the old oil, etc. Going to change the oil in the Lotus soon.