I used to be a Do-it-yourself kinda guy. I got lazy. I just got myself some ramps and I think I'm gonna go back to doing my own oil changes. Just changed the oil in my car.

Wix filter and Royal Purple full synthetic is what I used. Cost me about $50 to do it myself using what I believe is one of the best full synthetics out there. About 20-30 minutes of my time. Dealer charges that much for a crappy synthetic blend.

Plus, I can go 7500 miles between oil changes with the good stuff and not sweat it.

If you're one of those people that doesn't do maintenance until a light comes on... please... I don't want to know. (that poor, poor car) 😳

If the check engine light AINT on that's when you start sweating.....

That on your new G39?

Oil changed by a professional every 2,500-3,000 miles.

c3s

Actually, my wife is, too. I almost never drive her car, so she usually tells me when the "maintenance minder" tells her she has 20% oil life left. Her Accord has been averaging 8k miles between oil changes... just using the regular old Honda oil.

My son has my wife's old civic and it has 170,000+ and he still (sorta) maintains it.

I was reading on a car forum that they are having trouble with the newer 7 speed AT they have in them. Greeeeaaaat. 🤦

I went from having a great car that was paid for with zero problems to a great car that ISN'T paid for that could potentially be a problem. (so far, I've had no issues and from what I read, if I do... it's just a "reflash" that fixes it)

[ram27bat]

Sooooo... ya may wanna keep that sucker for awhile.

Question If I have been using regular oil can I switch to the synthetic. It's an 03 with 58k.

Might switch to mobil 1 next time... it's $35 for 6 qts at Costco. Cheaper than RP.

Fatsh, you can switch to synthetic any time you want. I only have 3k miles on my car and I already switched.

I take the regular oil breaks down faster then the synthetic which means you can go more mile for an oil change.

Anyone else out there have an '05 Mustang GT running regular oil, or synthetic, getting better than 16mpg city? That's what I was getting out of mine before changing all of my fluids, engine, transmission, and rear end. My city mpg now averages 19. Add to that only having to change the engine oil one time per year. The oil pays for itself in fuel economy alone, not to mention fewer changes, less down time, and a smoother running drive train.

I used to d some of my own maintenance. Since I bought this 2001 BMW 750iL, that has gone by the wayside. I bought the Bentley service manual. It only confirmed this car is way beyond my ability.

Since when did cars start having auto-leveling headlights??

Working in a transmisison shop for about 9 months several years ago, heard all the horror stories.

When I bought my current car in 2003, VW dealership was unaware that the specs for my new car were synthetic oil.

On a car that was one of their top sellers.

I ASKED for synthetic oil, bacuase the sales guy (at a different dealership) had told me up front about the spec.

They gave me regular anyways.

When I commented on the $29.99 charge being a great deal for synth, they looked at me like I had two heads.

At least these guys were only incompetant.

The stories I've heard about dealer service depts indicate that a significant number a totally dishonest.

Things like charging for installing a rebuilt transmission, when all that was done was spraying the pan with noise deadening paint...

My advice:

If you have a garage, do oil changes and whatever other maintenance you can, yourself.

For everything else, find a shop that secializes in your make, and that is recommended by people who's opinion you respect.

Sure, there are honest and dishonest shops of all shapes and sizes, but I'd rather deal with shop owner that does some of the work himself, than a "department", especially since the dealerships around here generally charge higher rates and charge more for parts.

Yes, I did. Nissan/Infiniti use an ester oil in the 350Z/G35/370Z/G37. It's a semi-synthetic, from what I gather. If the dealer screws your shit up, you have recourse. If a fly by night place screws your shit up... good luck.

Besides, I've been going to the same dealer for 6+ years and they've had the same service manager, Mike, even though ownership has changed. If peace of mind costs a little more, so be it. Sometimes you will find the dealer is cheaper. When the old G was making a weird sound when I would turn, I took it to a local shop and asked what it was... wheel bearings... $1100 to replace. Took it to the dealer... yup, wheel bearings... $780.

I believe a lot of the "fly by night" joints do a lot of this crap:

Whereas, my dealer has NEVER recommended anything to me that I didn't absolutely need. If you TRUST the person that you're working with, it doesn't matter where you go.