Current experiences with car servicing?

[jj4091]

I gave up changing oil when I stopped buying Leyland cars!

Like my old Chevette the oil passed through the engine too quickly to ever need replacing

 

[norseman]

I would do that if the filter was accessible from the top too, even on my own cars. Saves a lot of time and aggro.

I know my local garage (family run concern) actually drains the engine oil as they've just re-cut the sump plug thread (alloy sump) as the new crushable washer wouldn't prevent an oil weep after the latest service.

I don't know their hourly rate but I've never felt overcharged.
10mins walk from home & they MOT on the premises.

 

[mikehammer69]

I was tempted at one stage to do my own oil changes
My mechanic who I trust said not to bother as I could easily make a mistake on it

 

[Koolpc]

Yes, I heard he is there to 1;30 some days.

Andy

No, 1:31 to be precise!

 

[Diver Fred]

Since we are talking about Oil (& filter) changes I'll mention what was the norm in the USA when I was there on company business for extended periods (1997-98) - There the Tyre 'shops' also did Oil & Filter changes for a reasonable sum - depending on the amount of Oil used the cost was between $40 to $60 parts and labour. There wasn't a need for the O&F change to be done by a dealership. Oil & Filter changes appeared to be every 5000 miles no matter what make; from what I saw every car's service book had separate pages for Lubricant service and other parts of the service.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Did the cars last longer with 5000 mile oil services?

Andy

 

[Diver Fred]

Did the cars last longer with 5000 mile oil services?

Andy

I couldn't say but with the distances driven in the USA - the chap I was working with his daily commute was 75 miles each way, as was many others in the project. I think the average car annual milage would be in the 50,000 miles region. There are/was a large number of 2 or 3 YO cars with over 100,000 miles on the clock.

From experience when I did my car own servicing (principally BMC A-series transverse lumps) I'd do O&F changes every 6000 miles with a garage service every 12,000 miles. When I sold the last car of that type the car had completed 150,000 miles and still had 60psi Oil pressure and ran as quietly as new. Did the same with the Honda Civic/Rover 416 (same car - different badges) that followed and completed 130.000 miles in that car without trouble.