Changing your own oil - 2.5L hybrid

[Ranch]

You're missing the point. Ford puts a bunch of holes in the panel already, but not where they are needed to do the most common and basic maintenance needed. Why?

And for those who go to the dealership or Jiffy Lube for oil changes, tell me the high school dropout changing your oil is going to take the time to replace those panel screws when he drops a few of them down into the pit - yeah right! Over time you're going to have a nice air dam underneath.

Probably for aerodynamic reasons related to fuel economy.

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[GPSMan]

FWIW, I think the undercarriage cover (aka skid pad) is useful despite the fact that you will spend 5-8 extra minutes each time to unscrew and screw the pad on and off during an oil change. The production cost of such plastic cover is probably about $50-$100. For a truck in the low $20k range, the profit margin is going to be much thinner than a full-size truck like an F150. So logically speaking, you can imagine Ford would be more than happy to not install this cover unless there is a good reason.

The production cost is probably $10 to $20. They sell OTC for $51.

 

[TheGoodEgg]

Sigh, again I realize WHY the cover is there. No need to debate that or try to educate me with links. My solution would be to notch out the already existing, yet misplaced, hole for the drain plug and use a 4" hole saw for oil filter access. Some day I'll probably lose or strip out a couple of screws and get irritated enough to do just that, but I'm not there yet.

Funny how you all are fixated on the second part of my original post, yet no one has bothered to answer the first question. How much does paying for an oil change on the hybrid typically cost? I don't think I'm saving much money doing it myself, but my time is money also.

Wow, you don't sound like the engineers that I work with but more like someone I encounter on the road brake check me for something I didn't do or have control over ... chill man

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

The production cost is probably $10 to $20. They sell OTC for $51.

I doubt the production cost is even that much. It's a piece of plastic. Having it there probably gains you an extra 0.01 mpg, which is a win in Ford's eyes. Good to know it's so cheap for you and me to buy though. Makes cutting it seem less drastic.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Wow, you don't sound like the engineers that I work with but more like someone I encounter on the road brake check me for something I didn't do or have control over ... chill man

That would be pretty illogical since you sound like someone who would probably rearend me and it's well-documented you can't get parts to fix these things after a fender bender.

 

[BluegrassNbass]

I need to see if I got screwed Dealer 128$ oil change,...tire rotation and top off wiper fluid. Oh and check stuff Either way i got free wifi and was able to work while I waited. So for me it's a win win. I actually stopped changing my oil when I could pay someone to do it. Hopefully when I'm older I can still afford it.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Full synthetic oil plus filter at the dealer:
$55.47

Labor: $59.95

60 bucks for labor? Even making "tons of money" I don't make that much in the amount of time it takes to do an oil change. I'll keep doing it myself!

 

[TheGoodEgg]

Sigh, again I realize WHY the cover is there. No need to debate that or try to educate me with links. My solution would be to notch out the already existing, yet misplaced, hole for the drain plug and use a 4" hole saw for oil filter access. Some day I'll probably lose or strip out a couple of screws and get irritated enough to do just that, but I'm not there yet.

Funny how you all are fixated on the second part of my original post, yet no one has bothered to answer the first question. How much does paying for an oil change on the hybrid typically cost? I don't think I'm saving much money doing it myself, but my time is money also.

A dealership oil change with labor + parts probably runs you about $80-$120 depending on the location and dealership. The Honda dealer near me is $80 but you have to wait for at least an hour or more. The Honda/Acura dealer downtown costs $100 but they will be glad to pay for the Uber ride for you to come and go to the dealer and they have a fancy snack/coffee bar where you get a free latte. Don't know about Ford, will find out soon.

Of course, what's your opportunity cost, engineer?

Personally, I would do it even though it's not necessarily economical for me. Because #1 - I kinda enjoy doing it. #2 - I know I am using quality products and I know I care about my car more than the "high school dropouts"** at the shops.

** I'm pretty sure most if not all the entry-level mechanics and oil lupe place technicians are at least high school graduates ...

 

[GPSMan]

60 bucks for labor? Even making "tons of money" I don't make that much in the amount of time it takes to do an oil change. I'll keep doing it myself!

Overhead. Insurance. Convenience. It's one of the only reasonable things at a dealer. Have you seen the price of food, or socks lately? Or do you grow your own?

Socks are like $3 each. $6 / pr.
But I don't feel like making my own.

 

[TheGoodEgg]

I doubt the production cost is even that much. It's a piece of plastic. Having it there probably gains you an extra 0.01 mpg, which is a win in Ford's eyes. Good to know it's so cheap for you and me to buy though. Makes cutting it seem less drastic.

Well, you know what, I nominate you to do a scientific / engineering experiment: drive the truck without the cover for a period of time and compare MPG. You might be right that the gain in MPG is minuscule, you might also be wrong. Only test can tell the truth.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Personally, I would do it even though it's not necessarily economical for me. Because #1 - I kinda enjoy doing it. #2 - I know I am using quality products and I know I care about my car more than the "high school dropouts" at the shops.

Bingo! Plus back when I was drinking I would reward myself with a beer when done. Now, maybe an ice cream cone.

 

[GPSMan]

Well, you know what, I nominate you to do a scientific / engineering experiment: drive the truck without the cover for a period of time and compare MPG. You might be right that the gain in MPG is minuscule, you might also be wrong. Only test can tell the truth.

It's officially called a splash guard.
So there's that.
Maybe you shouldn't get road salts into the components.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Well, you know what, I nominate you to do a scientific / engineering experiment: drive the truck without the cover for a period of time and compare MPG. You might be right that the gain in MPG is minuscule, you might also be wrong. Only test can tell the truth.

Good idea! I'll mail you the results when I'm done. Now go stand by your mailbox and wait for them.

 

[TheGoodEgg]

Good idea! I'll mail you the results when I'm done. Now go stand by your mailbox and wait for them.

 

[Saltwater Cowboys]

Overhead. Insurance. Convenience. It's one of the only reasonable things at a dealer. Have you seen the price of food, or socks lately? Or do you grow your own?

Socks are like $3 each. $6 / pr.
But I don't feel like making my own.

I can still buy a family pack of chicken breasts for like $10. That's much cheaper than raising your own chickens. I know this from experience. Socks? Don't know where you shop or maybe you're in Canada but I can get a pack of 6 pairs Dickies or Wrangler work socks for less than 20 bucks and they last a whole year. I estimate I'll change my oil 3x per year. That will save me enough to buy 54 pairs of socks!

Yeah, inflation sucks now so I'm cutting back on things I don't need like eating out and overpriced dealer oil changes.

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