Chapters

Oil Olympics

February 13, 2008 on 12:10 am | In Uncategorized | No Comments

A result of working in a manufacturing environment with guys who grew up before computers existed is a constant feeling of mechanical inadequacy.

In fact, my wife changed her own oil before me. (if you don’t count changing my motorcycle’s oil).

This life milestone came late in my life not because it is so difficult but instead because paying someone to do it for you is so cheap! Normally you only save 5-10$ by doing it yourself… And for half an hour’s work? Take your car to Jiffy Lube.

Unfortunately having a car with a diesel engine precludes the $19.95 oil change. Jiffy Lube type shops either won’t change my car’s oil, or will but don’t do the filter, or will and charge me $80-$90.

What to do? Step up to the plate. I bought myself the “Mityvac 7600″. Basically instead of dropping the pan or opening the drain plug underneath your car you suck it out through the dipstick tube. The prejudice is that this method isn’t as effective, but Mercedes actually specifies this method over getting underneath the car.

The mityvac worked like a charm, but I didn’t. I spilled oil everywhere. Next time I’ll get a funnel to use when pouring the oil from the mityvac to the empty oil bottle.