Fun Fact: Valvoline Instant Oil Change won’t change the Mavericks oil

[TSAINTS1115]

I must be in the minority of those who change their own oil and perform basic maintenance on their vehicles. It isn’t difficult to do.

Each of my kids was required to learn how to change their own oil, check fluids, change a tire before I would let them get their drivers license. I told them they don't have to do these things in the future, just know how. Especially if a service place tries to bs them.

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[lmellberg]

My dealer is only 1.5 miles from my house. They offer the WORKS - oil and filter change, tire rotation and a complete check of the truck for only $44.95 and I get Ford Pass points plus the usual credit card points. Can’t beat it.

Agreed! As I have gotten older (& I am old ) - I am a lot more prone to put a value on my time + getting an oil change/service at the dealership looks good on the Car Fax report years down the road.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

You didn't have to go there. Both occupations require special skills.

Both jobs deal in GREASE!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Agreed! As I have gotten older (& I am old ) - I am a lot more prone to put a value on my time + getting an oil change/service at the dealership looks good on the Car Fax report years down the road.

Plus the comfort level achieved knowing that all recommended fluid levels and service schedules are not overlooked. I know this upcoming oil change is when I need to have my (now just about to turn) NASTY brake fluid changed out.

 

[Decayed]

That I’m not sure, I haven’t seen a hybrid yet. you will only see the skid plates on the FX4 version.

Pretty sure there are plastic covers instead of the metal skid plates for aerodynamics.

 

[notfast]

Be careful with these quick change shops.

My dealer is only 1.5 miles from my house. They offer the WORKS

Dealerships are better than quick change shops for oil changes, but not by much. Even at a dealership, you're not getting an ASE Ford tech to change the oil; their time is quite literally better spent doing line haul repairs. An oil and filter change pays 0.3 hours, or what, 18 minutes?

Instead, you're getting an entry-level hourly lube tech whose job it is to just change oil all day.

The "better" part is that dealerships will use OEM parts like filters and crush washers. But the lube techs can still make mistakes; they are trying to crank 'em out all day.

I once took my Mazda in for an oil change at the dealership. Long story short, lube tech forgot to put the oil filler cap back on, and I didn't discover it until I was across town.

Car was towed back to the dealer and they paid for an Enterprise rental car. They power washed the engine bay, detailed the entire outside of the car, changed the cabin air filter, changed the oil and filter again (lost half a quart), and replaced the under-hood insulation since it was damaged while they were trying to wash the oil stain off.

When I got the invoice, the final bill (which was all paid for by the dealership) was something like $600, most of that being that under-hood insulation pad and labor.

I wasn't mad; everyone makes mistakes. What is important to me is how it's dealt with.

But I agree; if I didn't have the time/space/know-how/willingness to do my own routine maintenance, I'd opt for the dealership oil changes. They usually send coupons and such to get you in the door. Which around here makes it nearly not worth it to even bother doing it yourself when you can pass the buck to someone else.

...they wouldn't change it in my MachE either...jerks!...

I once took my friend's Nissan Leaf to the Costco gas station. I pulled out a one-gallon fuel can that I use for the weed whacker and chain saw. Pretty sure I'm on at least one TikTok video for that.

In hindsight, I should've popped the charge plug door, looked confused when the fuel pump nozzle wouldn't fit, then have a fake "A ha!" moment and get the fuel can from the trunk.

I try to stick to the dealership or my own garage for maintenance.

Being a former suspension/steering/brakes tech, I am on a similar path. Do my own routine maintenance (fluid changes and, well, suspension/steering/brakes) and take it to reputable shops for things I can't or don't want to DIY.

In my experience, routine oil changes and tire rotations are where various shops have caused the most harm.

Helps to find a reputable shop. Good work isn't fast, so get ready to wait. Good work ain't cheap either. And fast or cheap work ain't good.

Reputable shops can be chain stores. I'm on a first-name basis with most of the folks and the manager at my local America's Tire (Discount Tire for the rest of the US).

I take it to them for tire rotations because they also balance check, and with 2-3 guys working on the truck, I am in and out in like 20 minutes. I always book the first appointment on a Saturday.

As for other farmed-out work, I tend to go to specialty shops. Driveline issues go to a driveshaft shop. Transmission issues go to a transmission shop. Interior issues go to an upholstery shop.

I must be in the minority of those who change their own oil and perform basic maintenance on their vehicles. It isn’t difficult to do.

Space is one concern. There are millions of people who don't have a garage or place to work on the vehicle and store tools and equipment.

Time is also an issue. If you have a finite amount of time to get all the chores done, it might be a better use of time to sit in a waiting room and do other work, or even just relax and read a magazine or something, while someone else works on your car.

Also keep in mind that, to most folks, a car is just a transportation appliance. They want nothing more than to gas it up and maybe push it through a car wash tunnel. In fact, most of the trade-ins I've seen come across the dealership I worked at and during my time as a full-time detailer, aren't "worn out". They are just neglected beyond very basic maintenance.

Each of my kids was required to learn how to change their own oil, check fluids, change a tire before I would let them get their drivers license. I told them they don't have to do these things in the future, just know how. Especially if a service place tries to bs them.

On the flipside, I taught my dad how to do suspension and steering work and do oil changes.

Personally, I can't wait to have an EV as my daily driver. No more oil changes or spark plugs or serpentine belts or starters or fuel pumps or even friction brakes for the most part, and only the oddball occasional coolant change. I'll save all that headache for the motorcycles!

 

[pigsareus]

i'd take it to the dealer anyways, not al

Happens with newer vehicles. They may have never changed one yet and dont feel comfortable winging it even if you told them what filter, type oil and how much is needed.

Im getting the FX4 so im assuming most of mine will be done at the dealer because any quick oil change place isnt going to want to take my skid plates off.
[/QU

Sitting at Valvoline to get my oil changed and they are saying they can’t do it until it’s in their system.

Don’t bash me for using Valvoline. It’s a fleet account so I don’t complain

eh, just take it to the dealer. Valvoline was up front enough to be honest and tell you they don't have the procedures documented and any training completed; you could have taken it to a place that just decided to wing it and possibly screw something up. that they would likely deny responsibility for.

 

[Davido49]

This is probably going to come up fairly frequently. The Maverick (and a number of other cars/trucks/motorcycles) can be a pain in the a$$ to change oil, especially filters when you have necessary bash plates under the car that require removal to access.

Current vehicle/mid engine, oil change can not be done without a "lift".

ALL newer vehicles have plastic guards under the engine area. Lol Like since the past 10yrs. It's not hard at all. They were confused cause they go by computer details on oil amount/type etc. That's only reason! Geez.

 

[Barracuda340]

I do all my own oil changes. On a dodge journey my wife owned it had that motor under cover. I made an access panel for the oil filter so I didnt have to remove the whole cover for oil changes. I will likely do the same with this, and add a fumoto engineering drain valve like I have on my silverado.

 

[tonyinsd]

Getting to know a good mechanic is well worth it. One time when I had to replace a battery in my current truck, he gave me all the tools to do it and didn't ask for a deposit. I had most of them, but the one tool he gave me that saved me a bunch of scraped knuckles was a socket extender so that I could get to the nut that at the bottom of the battery.

He's also going to give me a grand for my piece of junk truck so that I don't have to take it to a State certified demolition center and wait for a month to get a check from the State of California.

With someone like this, I'll skip the oil stains on me and the nasty note from the HOA for changing the oil in my garage. =)

 

[Tbolt]

I've done plenty of work on my own vehicles over the years, come to think of it we dropped the tranny out of a 70's Mav in a buddy's driveway using couple of jacks and wrestled the new one back in the same way, but I am past that point. I don't want to bust my arthritic knuckles anymore, dispose of used oil, and make a mess on my property. My time is also more valuable than that. I can work on something if I have to, but I won't be doing any more oil changes, lol. Good to know though, I had previously mostly taken my F150 to Firestone for oil changes, but with the FX4 I think I will stick with the dealer.

 

[B_kiz]

Why did you say "don't bash me for using Valvoline?"
Are you referring to the shop or the oil itself?
I run Valvoline in all my vehicles exclusively.

 

[Drewtheoildropper]

Never take your car to a place for maintenance that has employees that are interchangeable with those at a fast food business.

Can confirm. Last job before Valvoline was Wendy's.

 

[strictor53]

Sitting at Valvoline to get my oil changed and they are saying they can’t do it until it’s in their system.

Don’t bash me for using Valvoline. It’s a fleet account so I don’t complain

Just watch out with the getting a oil change outside ford service center. I had my warranty voided because I got a oil change at Jiffy Lube. A spark plug blew out underneath the firewall of my Expedition and Ford Corporate said that some one must have loosened it at Jiffy. It was $1500 repair. Up to that point all services had been done by the dealer. My downfall was the sticker on the windshield. Be careful while under warranty.

 

[Dagreeny]

No doubt, I developed JiffyLubs software, and yes they have a link to a video for "step by step how to do", and list of tools" all approved oil changes that employees can do. All companies servicing and doing product support for the Maverick are in a learning curve.

Edit: With all the training available, I still take all my vehicles to a private shop and/show and watch their work until I'm convinced, I/they know what they're doing. 2 of the 3 vehicles I currently have require a lift to change oil and filter. Fortunately Hybrids will need maybe one oil change a year.

I have a Qiu k Jack lift that I love. I can do all my own oil changes, brake work all without worrying about someone else’s work. I have dealerships that have done sloppy work.

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