The attempt ....

[Koolau]

There are several things that absolutely need attention on a schedule - these are pointed out in the owners manual (oil/filter, trans flush/change/ coolest flush/change, etc.) Things that Jiffy lube and other shops tend to push (air filters, etc.) generally either work or you notice degradation of performance or fuel mileage. I changed an air filter after 60+K miles and the Jiffy lube guy said I needed a new one the next time I went in. I laughed in his face.

I no longer do much maintenance because I no longer like crawling under a car and getting dirty. Stuff like burnt out bulbs, wiper blades, etc., I go to AutoZone or similar and they help or do it themselves once I purchase. For big stuff (for me) like brakes, I use a quality independent shop who has always been fair (not cheap, though.) I know brakes are "easy" but I just don't like doing that kind of stuff any more and I got rid of almost all my tools. YMMV

 

[Badger]

I have a defective mechanical gene but still managed to do a few simple maintenance procedures (points, plugs, valve adjustment, and oil change with an occasional minor repair) when I owned an aircooled VW many years ago. They are long gone and my old bones aren't up to wiggling on concrete anyway.
Now I take my Escape into the dealer for oil changes but that may change. Has anyone had experience with this Fumoto drain plug? If they are a good product/idea I may try doing my oil changes again.

https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/

http://www.fumotousa.com/about-fumoto-valves.php

Cheers!

 

[ERD50]

I have a defective mechanical gene but still managed to do a few simple maintenance procedures (points, plugs, valve adjustment, and oil change with an occasional minor repair) when I owned an aircooled VW many years ago. They are long gone and my old bones aren't up to wiggling on concrete anyway.
Now I take my Escape into the dealer for oil changes but that may change. Has anyone had experience with this Fumoto drain plug? If they are a good product/idea I may try doing my oil changes again.

https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/

About Fumoto® Engine Oil Drain Valves | Fumoto® USA

Cheers!

Seems like all modern cars go long enough between oil changes that you always change the filter at the same time. If you still need to crawl around to get to the filter, I don't see much advantage to a valve in place of a plug.

Am I missing something?

-ERD50

 

[Hermit]

There are several things that absolutely need attention on a schedule - these are pointed out in the owners manual (oil/filter, trans flush/change/ coolest flush/change, etc.) Things that Jiffy lube and other shops tend to push (air filters, etc.) generally either work or you notice degradation of performance or fuel mileage. I changed an air filter after 60+K miles and the Jiffy lube guy said I needed a new one the next time I went in. I laughed in his face.

I no longer do much maintenance because I no longer like crawling under a car and getting dirty. Stuff like burnt out bulbs, wiper blades, etc., I go to AutoZone or similar and they help or do it themselves once I purchase. For big stuff (for me) like brakes, I use a quality independent shop who has always been fair (not cheap, though.) I know brakes are "easy" but I just don't like doing that kind of stuff any more and I got rid of almost all my tools. YMMV

The kids will have to pry my tools out of my cold, dead hands before I get rid of them!

 

[Badger]

Seems like all modern cars go long enough between oil changes that you always change the filter at the same time. If you still need to crawl around to get to the filter, I don't see much advantage to a valve in place of a plug.

Am I missing something?

-ERD50

I can understand that being a problem if the oil filter on your car is in a hard to get to location. Fortunately in my case the oil filter is centrally located a few inches back from the front bumper and angled straight down. I have never seen a filter so easy to access. I can sit on a stool and reach under the bumper to twist it off. Since the Escape sits off the ground a little higher than a regular sedan I won't need to jack the car up. The Ford engineers got this one right.
Still wondering if anyone has experience with the Fomoto oil drain valve.

Cheers!

 

[Walt34]

Has anyone had experience with this Fumoto drain plug? If they are a good product/idea I may try doing my oil changes again.

https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/

About Fumoto® Engine Oil Drain Valves | Fumoto® USA

Cheers!

Yes, I have, it worked fine. It was on my 2003 GMC pickup and I never had any issues with it, not a drop leaked. Since I don't change oil anymore I put the original plug back in. The plug has a magnet in it to attract and hold metal shavings and the fumoto does not. I bought the fumoto after I changed the oil on a gusty day and a hard gust of wind blew a spray of oil all over me and everything else. Note to self: don't change oil on windy days. But with the fumoto I could attach a drain hose and drain directly into the used oil container.

Actually I had bought two, one for my truck and one for the then Buick, but the car had some bend in the oil pan near the drain that prevented me from screwing it all the way tight.

 

[Sasset]

As a female I have to be wary about taking my car in. When I was young just after college, I know I was ripped off once, though didn't know it originally. The owner of the shop I had just had my car repaired at came into the restaurant where I worked and started telling me how I should bring my car back in as he needed to complete some thing on my car. I think he felt guilty that he "cheated" what he now saw as a poor waitress. (What he didn't know was this was a second job to earn the down payment for my first home!) He had never called be to tell me he needed to finish my car, so that is why I say he felt guilt when he saw my waiting tables.

I did take it in like he asked. I am not sure what he did to ease his guilt, but it taught to question repair needs in the future. Hard, but good lesson.

Just recently I took my 12 year old Jag in with only 52,000 miles on it for service. The manager of the shop had changed. They called me said I needed almost $2200 in work. I had them list it all out and price each thing. Some made sense, some didn't. The most expensive one sure didn't. They tried to tell me my air conditioner was blowing hot air. As I had just run the AC on the way to the shop I knew that was incorrect, so no I don't need the AC repaired. That has been over a month ago and it still works. Not sure I would fix it on a 12 yo car. AC isn't that important to me. The AC went out on my last car before I sold it at 10 yo.

I guess I will to find a new place. I hate having lost a shop I trusted and it was close to work. Of course when I finally stop OMM and retire, that won't be a consideration.

 

[JPatrick]

Wal*Mart has a bare bones oil change deal---$19.88 for 5 qts QS, Fram oil filter and tire/battery test. Good deal if you don't require the high grade oil.
I priced out the oil and filter over the counter and it was almost exactly the same which means the labor is free.
As someone mentioned earlier, the DIYers can save by buying filters at Amazon.

 

[Hermit]

Wal*Mart has a bare bones oil change deal---$19.88 for 5 qts QS, Fram oil filter and tire/battery test. Good deal if you don't require the high grade oil.
I priced out the oil and filter over the counter and it was almost exactly the same which means the labor is free.
As someone mentioned earlier, the DIYers can save by buying filters at Amazon.

Good deal if you watch them like a hawk. They forgot to put a cap back on on DD's car at the time. I think it was the power steering cap. Went back the next day and the cap was gone. I expect they threw it away. (What else would you do with left over parts?)

 

[Winemaker]

I have changed my oil in my vehicles for over 40 years; most all made it over 250,000 miles. The ones that didn't,were either sold or wrecked prior to.

The only time I ever let someone change my oil was after a w$rk transfer to a new state. Free oil change coupon from the Welcome Wagon. Two weeks later, it blew a head gasket on a trip back to the old homestead. $5000.00 for new engine replacement.

 

[JPatrick]

Good deal if you watch them like a hawk. They forgot to put a cap back on on DD's car at the time. I think it was the power steering cap. Went back the next day and the cap was gone. I expect they threw it away. (What else would you do with left over parts?)

Hawk watching ought to be SOP regardless who messes with your car.
My quick check of the engine compartment and fluid levels happens just seconds after I pick up the vehicle.