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Oil Change Rip-Offs
Yahoo Message Number: 56595
On 11/22/04 I visited Sam Galloway Ford of Ft. Myers, FL for an oil and filter change. The charge was $71.24. This morning I visited Hampton Ford of N. Hampton, NH for the identical service. The charge? $28.70.

I spoke with Ed at the Ford motor home customer center (a nice guy eager to help) a few minutes ago and he suggested I go to Jiffy Lube in Florida. He also is able to recommend shops other than Ford for Econoline service that might be more reasonable.
 Ed said some California customers complain of being charged up to $150 for an oil/filter change and the only thing we can do is quit giving these rip-off dealers our business.

Paul NE 50


Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 56602
Ed said some California customers complain of being charged up to $150 for an oil/filter change and the only thing we can do is quit giving these rip-off dealers our business.

Paul NE 50


8
 Well said.  The retail cost of the oil and filter here is about $20.
If you can do your own work, there is an obvious savings, and you know that it's done right. For example, I have done my own oil and filter changes for years, and doing it on our 23.5 TK is the easiest of any vehicle we currently own. Consider that the entire process consists of opening a drain plug, draining the warm engine oil into a suitable container, unscrewing the oil filter, screwing on a new filter, replacing the drain plug, and re-filling the crankcase with the new oil. Rocket science it ain't. I dispose of the old oil and filter at the local recycling station for free. So I would consider a total charge by someone else of $30 or less to be reasonable.

Will

Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 56604
Rocket science it ain't.>

Quote
Will
Couldn't agree with you more. Did my oil change this morning. A 15 minute job plus I know exactly what oil's going in and what filter is being used. Since I use Mobile One my cost is right at $25 including filter.

Ed

2000 MB

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 56615
And you can get Wallmart full synthetic for around $11.00 for a 5 quart container. I was charged an extra 20.00 just for Synblend at one of the 10 minute places in Missouri. Made the oil and filter change near $50.00 and on top of that I saw the guy slam the filter down gasket first on the floor because he was having a hard time reaching it from the pit. I made therm stop and get a new filter. I will always try and do my own even even when on the road after watching that. They tried real hard to get me in the waiting room where I couldn't see.

Garry

[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 56620
Quote
And you can get Wallmart full synthetic for around $11.00 for a 5
quart container.

Actually, you can go into the Walmart store, buy the synthetic and bring it around to the oil change line and they'll use yours and credit you for not using theirs.
 You can also bring in your own filter (I like Baldwins) and they will give you a credit for not using their filter as well.
 $12 labor is fine with me. No dirty hands, no crawling, no disposing.

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #6
Yahoo Message Number: 56622
I will always try and do my own even even when on the road after watching that.



 OK, so where would you change your own oil when on the road?  Most RV parks will not allow this sort of thing, then there's the problem of what do you put the oil in, and how do you find a place to dispose of it when in an unfamiliar area?
 We will probably always have our oil changed by someone else.  However, after our experience at Camping World, we will ask FIRST how much they charge!  I'm also leery of using the "quickie lube-type" places since we've had a couple of bad experiences with them when we had oil changed on a pickup we had.  Up until the time we had the oil changed at CW, we'd always had oil changed at a Ford dealership, and never paid more than around $32 for said oil and filter change.

Linda Hylton

2004 Red 23.5' TK

Fish Lake, Steens Mountain (near Frenchglen, OR)
See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1167
Linda Hylton

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #7
Yahoo Message Number: 56626
Sounds like something I could do, but would like to see it done before I try it.  Hopefully someone at the LaDeze GTG has done it and will demonstrate!  I sometimes think they see a woman and just automatically double the price.

Suspicious Pat (Mac) No Calif

Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #8
Yahoo Message Number: 56627
"p.macias"  wrote: Sounds like something I could do, but would like to see it done before I try it.  Hopefully someone at the LaDeze GTG has done it and will demonstrate!

-----

Pat, at least a couple of the Ladeze have done their own oil changes. The process isn't difficult, and the access to the oil filter on the E-450 is pretty easy.  One does need to have an oil filter wrench, a 16mm socket for the drain plug (a crescent wrench works, but a socket works a lot better!), an oil drain pan and/or containers/funnel to hold the used oil, and a new filter and oil.
Disposable vinyl gloves are nice, too.  (My problem is that trifocals and changing the oil aren't necessarily compatible; my head doesn't tilt back that far while under the front end!)

Mimi and I will be doing a basic "Under the Hood" presentation, but a "demo oil change" wasn't in the plans, primarily because I can't think of a way to get 20 women under the rig! ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #9
Yahoo Message Number: 56654
Another thing you need to watch out for are the individuals that think that your motorhome is a car!! as well as those that are very careless.
I went to Express Lube and Tune on the corner of Central and 11th street

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #10
Yahoo Message Number: 56656
You still have to trust the 6.00 an hour not to motivated "mechanic".
I like to get my hands dirty and see what is going on, of course I also usually put over 200,000 miles on my vehicles.

Garry

Date sent:         Tue, 09 Aug 2005 01:12:46 +0000 From:              "Don Anderson" sneaks2@...>
 Subject:           [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
 To:                lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Send reply to:     lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #11
Yahoo Message Number: 56658
I have never had anyone complain about me changing my oil. I don't make a mess and have never had any trouble getting rid of it legally. Most auto parts stores still accept it. Until just a few years all Sears stores accepted it. The time may well come when its hard to get rid of.

Garry

Date sent:         Mon, 08 Aug 2005 18:58:12 -0700 From:              Linda Hylton elh3946@...>
 Subject:           Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
 To:                lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Send reply to:     lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #12
Yahoo Message Number: 56677
Joan............Now that I think about it, I would have a hard time getting under the rig.  Not to mention getting back out!  Also where I live we are not allowed to change oil or do repairs (ha) in our driveways.  At the time it all sounded like a  good idea.

Pat (Mac)


Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #14
Yahoo Message Number: 56683
"p.macias"  wrote: Now that I think about it, I would have a hard time getting under the rig.  Not to mention getting back out! ___
 Well, I'll soon see whether I can still get under there (and out again) with a little "rolling" help; I bought a mechanics's creeper today -- pretty exciting purchase, eh? I will test it out tomorrow and see what chassis bolts I can find to tighten up! Oh, boy, oh, boy!  (I really must get out more....)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #15
Yahoo Message Number: 56684
Let's not forget the time it takes to take the old oil to an authorized disposal station.

Dick

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #16
Yahoo Message Number: 56688
I don't use a creeper for changing oil as they take up space my body can use. And I prefer not to have to jack up the vehicle unless I have to. A poor mans creeper can work well.
 For those that have never been poor( I do pity them) this is a card board box opened up that covers up the dirt and provides a slick surface to slide around on.

Garry

Date sent:         Wed, 10 Aug 2005 04:23:13 +0000 From:              "jctaylor1941" jctaylor1941@...>
 Subject:           [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
 To:                lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Send reply to:     lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #17
Yahoo Message Number: 56690
I usually roll the front wheels up on my leveling blocks (homemade) to give me a little more room when changing the oil.  The nifty combination tray/holding tanks sold at Wal-Mart and others makes the job easy and relatively clean.  The holding tank lets you take it in to a recycler the next time you are out and about.  Also don't forget to lube the front end while under it.

Rich 2000 MB Birch Bay, WA
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #18
Yahoo Message Number: 56693
Quote
I went to Express Lube and Tune on the corner of Central and 11th street in Upland (or Montclair) to have my oil changed.

Beware of these kind of establishments.


 We are very leery of using these types of establishments because we had very bad luck on two different occasions when we had pickups.  Now, if you live in an area and *know* a particular place does good work, fine.  But when you're traveling, there's no way to know which ones are good, so we just avoid them altogether, preferring to have our oil changes done at a dealership.

Linda Hylton

2004 Red 23.5' TK

Fish Lake, Steens Mountain (near Frenchglen, OR)
See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1167
Linda Hylton

[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #19
Yahoo Message Number: 56702
I always called the Ford RV number and asked for THEIR recommendation of where to change oil.  They akways asked my miles, so in a way I always thot that data could help validate my care of the coach should any Ford warranty repair issues arise.
 On 3 occasions there was no nearby Ford dealer and Ford recommended a truck repair shop (twice) and an RV repair shop (once).

best,  paul

Quote
I went to Express Lube and Tune on the corner of Central and 11th street in Upland (or Montclair) to have my oil changed.

Beware of these kind of establishments.



We are very leery of using these types of establishments because we
had very
 
Quote
bad luck on two different occasions when we had pickups.  Now, if
you live
 
Quote
in an area and *know* a particular place does good work, fine.  But when you're traveling, there's no way to know which ones are good, so we just

Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #20
Yahoo Message Number: 56624
Paul, I had the same problem with Ford in Petaluma.  They charged me $95 for an oil and filter change.  They must really think we are stupid.  Obviously I don't go there anymore.  I think they think they have us by the short hairs, cause there aren't too many places that  can  handle the large RV's.  Fortunately I found a place up here closer to where I live for less than half the price.

Pat (Mac) No Calif

Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #21
Yahoo Message Number: 56625
Pat,

I wondered how they would handle my rig. Turns out they drove it to the rear of the service building and a mech used a crawler to change the oil outside. They said they wouldn't be happy about doing that in February

Re: Oil Change Rip-Offs
Reply #22
Yahoo Message Number: 56695
Fortunately I found a place up here closer to where I live for less than half the price.

Hi Pat-- Where are you getting your oil changed these days?  We're looking for a new changer.
/noel/
 P.S.  Jackie just sent Marial her deposit for the LaDeze gtg in Sept.
I think I'll go visit my brother in Burney at that time, them join folks on the coast for "phase II" .

Ladeze Post GTG (Phase II) Change of Plans
Reply #23
Yahoo Message Number: 56756
The guest of honor of Phase II of our Ladeze get together in September, Andy Bared, has had a change of plans and will be unable to attend our post-event festivities after all.  Andy is just starting his fulltime adventure, traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast as his first giant step.  Anyone looking at a map can see that is indeed a biiiiiig first step!  So, I just wanted all of you who planned to come for the weekend for PHASE II after the Ladeze outing to know that we are just going to have to make do with Andy on a Stick -- AGAIN!!  Until next time.  Maybe!
 Any Lazy Dazers in the vicinity of Ophir/Gold Beach, Oregon area are still most welcome to join us for any and all POST-GTG activities, (socializing, star gazing, talk story, beach walks, campfires, [bring wood!!!] and whatever).  Our event concludes at noon Friday, September 16 -- you are welcome any time *after* that.
 Not just "good" news ...... GREAT NEWS!  Our show and tell Ladeze of Lazy Daze WebSite has been brought up to date by our talented, dedicated Webmaster, Jonna Harlan, for your viewing pleasure.  In addition to testimonials, there are pictures from our March, 2005 Arizona outing worth thousands of words.  Enjoy!

Lorna and Little Black Sambo Back in Oakridge, OR, on the banks of the Willamette
2003 RB

Re: Ladeze Post GTG (Phase II) Change of Plans
Reply #24
Yahoo Message Number: 56770
Quote
The guest of honor Andy Bared, has had a change of plans and will be unable to attend
our post-event festivities after all.  ... we are just
 
Quote
going to have to make do with Andy on a Stick -- AGAIN!!  Until next time.  Maybe!

Any Lazy Dazers ... are still most welcome to join us ...
(socializing, star gazing, talk story, beach walks, campfires, [bring wood!!!] and whatever).

Lorna and Little Black Sambo Back in Oakridge, OR, on the banks of the Willamette
....
 I'll be there in 'Red Zoe' for the LaDeze and John will join us Friday in our NEW JEEP! YAAAY! Yes, we finally got our Jeep! YAAAY! And it's better than the one that got away. Did I say "YAAAY"?
 Thanks to Jonna for a great website. The GTG looks like it's going to be a lot of fun! As for the "star-gazing" we'll be bringing our new telescope  http://tinyurl.com/7wcn8  so, hopefully, we'll have clear dark skies. During the LaDeze week there will be a full moon, but by the weekend it'll begin to wane and we may be able to get in some good viewing.

Getting ready to take off this Tuesday,

Ilene

2004 26.5MB  'Red Zoe'

2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport (Green*)  'Zeke The Jeep'
1942 Bearded Male Caucasian 5'11"  'John'
 *A rather odd-looking green that we didn't like until we priced painting it red. Yikes! So, that green is starting to look a lot better.