What does it cost you to do your own oil/filter change?
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peter78
Super Moderator
That is a pretty good guess. I tend to buy my stuff in bulk and at a good price. Costco has Mobil one for 23 bucks for 6 quarts and ocassionally I get better deals, like the Pep Boy deal one of our members found, less than $2.40 a quart. Any thing less than 4 bucks a quart is good in my book. Then I buy oil filters by the dozen at a Toyota dealer, about $4.50 including shipping. You will need a teflon washer for the bolt on the oil pan, about 50 cents. That is about it, except paper towels, WD-40 and of course the cost of the tools. Right now it cost me about $28 to change oil in my 2001 which has a 6 quart capacity.
For conventional oil I figure getting Castrol GTX for less than $1.40 a quart is pretty good, (I use this on my 2 older cars). Right now I have 2 cases of Castrol and 8 quarts of Mobil one sitting around. Oh yes, I tend to pick a non-wet day and hopefully semi-warm before I change oil, but sometimes I have to do it on a terrible day.
For conventional oil I figure getting Castrol GTX for less than $1.40 a quart is pretty good, (I use this on my 2 older cars). Right now I have 2 cases of Castrol and 8 quarts of Mobil one sitting around. Oh yes, I tend to pick a non-wet day and hopefully semi-warm before I change oil, but sometimes I have to do it on a terrible day.
G3 Trout Runner
New member
I haven't looked at my oil plug but I was wondering about the teflon washer. Do we all have it? Or is this something you've added to the mix. I usually change my own oil and haven't ever had one of these.
G3 Trout Runner
G3 Trout Runner
Detail Guy
New member
With Mobil 1 oil, a good filter, and some grease in the driveline fittings, I would say between $35 & $45.
Not sure how much oil my V6 takes with the filter? I thought I read 5.2 quarts? :dunno: I'm also curious about the teflon washer?
Not sure how much oil my V6 takes with the filter? I thought I read 5.2 quarts? :dunno: I'm also curious about the teflon washer?
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peter78
Super Moderator
That is a good question. When I got a dozen filters, I bought 6 washers, ( I change them every other time just to save a few pennies). I was surprised to see they were teflon coated and the list price was 80 cents. The washers I get for the Honda and Acura are not teflon and cost 18 cents.G3 Trout Runner said:
On my 2001 I changed the first oil and the oil plug had a teflon washer on it, so I changed it with another Toyota teflon washer. Remember this is a 3rd generation, but I would suspect that the 4th generation would have a washer around the oil plug. Every car in which I have changed oil has had a washer on the oil plug and unfortunately that is quite a bit of cars.
When I got my parents 91 Toyota Previa I changed the oil and the oil plug had no washer. I suspect the cheap oil change places didn't want to put on another washer and just left the old one off.
Maybe a 4th gen who has changed oil can chime in.
Larry said:
I have all of the tools too do it myself (did my Landcruiser and Dodge 3500 CTD) Since I got the 350Z and 4runner, I've been having the dealers Nissan/Toyota do them (just being lazy). I had the Z done at 1000 miles and then every 3000. I had the 4runner done at 1500 miles and then every 3750. The Toyota dealer charges $29 for OC, the Nissan dealer alway has specials so they run around $19. If I do it myself I would use Mobil 1 5w30 and OEM filter and to keep warranty intact change it every 5000 miles on the 4runner. Figure it will cost me around $40 for the oil and filter. I plan on trading the 4runner at around 90K miles and the Z at around the same mileage. What do you think? Should I just keep letting the dealers do them (since I won't be keeping either vehicle forever) and just check the dip stick before I drive away to confirm they filled it up with oil and the oil is clean? Toyota dealer uses Castrol GTX 5w30 and the Nissan dealer uses Mobil drive clean 5w30.
Bobby
New member
I just did my first oil change tonight at 1857 miles 
.
6 qts Castrol Syntec 5w30 $24
Fram oil filter (I know) $4? (got the off road version)
Went to my bro-in-law's auto repair shop and did it there on a lift. I have my own set of Snap-On tools but its much easier doing anything on a lift. I broke the plastic oval cap that closes the skid plate just below the oil drain bolt. There's also 4 bolts you have to take off the front skid plate to get to the oil filter. At least the skid plate is hinged and swings forward. I like the oil filter placement on the V6s much better. I'm thinking of getting one of those oil filter relocation kits.
One thing I noticed already was some rust on some of the rear suspension parts. I thought this was odd since its only 5 weeks old.
.6 qts Castrol Syntec 5w30 $24
Fram oil filter (I know) $4? (got the off road version)
Went to my bro-in-law's auto repair shop and did it there on a lift. I have my own set of Snap-On tools but its much easier doing anything on a lift. I broke the plastic oval cap that closes the skid plate just below the oil drain bolt. There's also 4 bolts you have to take off the front skid plate to get to the oil filter. At least the skid plate is hinged and swings forward. I like the oil filter placement on the V6s much better. I'm thinking of getting one of those oil filter relocation kits.
One thing I noticed already was some rust on some of the rear suspension parts. I thought this was odd since its only 5 weeks old.
