Oil changes are an essential part of car maintenance that keeps engines running smoothly and extends the life of a vehicle. While taking your car to a professional mechanic is the conventional approach, there’s a growing trend among car owners to perform oil changes themselves (DIY) instead of visiting a full automative service and repairs. Doing oil changes yourself has its pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh both sides before making a decision.
The Pros of DIY Oil Changes
- Cost savings: Doing an oil change yourself can be significantly cheaper than having it done professionally. All you need to purchase are the necessary supplies like motor oil and an oil filter, and the process itself is relatively inexpensive.
- Flexibility: Performing an oil change yourself allows you to schedule it at a time that suits you best, without having to wait for appointment times or worry about dropping off your car during regular business hours.
- Knowledge gain: Doing an oil change yourself gives you the opportunity to inspect different components of your car and become more familiar with how it works. This can help you identify potential problems early and avoid costly repairs down the road.
- Sense of accomplishment: Doing an oil change yourself can give you a sense of satisfaction and a deeper connection to your vehicle.
The Cons of DIY Oil Changes
- Time commitment: Doing an oil change yourself takes longer than having a professional do it. It requires basic automotive knowledge and a certain level of skill to perform correctly.
- Required tools: Performing an oil change requires specific tools like wrenches, ratchets, and drain pans. If you don’t have these tools on hand, you may need to purchase them, increasing the cost of the oil change.
- Risk of making mistakes: If you’re not familiar with the process of doing an oil change, you run the risk of making mistakes that could potentially damage your car or lead to future problems.
- Physical demands: Doing an oil change yourself can be physically demanding, requiring you to work under the car and lift heavy containers of oil. This can be especially challenging for people with limited mobility or physical disabilities.
- Environmental responsibility: Proper disposal of used engine oils is important to prevent environmental contamination. Doing an oil change yourself requires extra precautions to ensure the oil is disposed of properly, according to local regulations.
The Bottom Line
Do-it-yourself (DIY) oil changes can be a great way to save money, have greater control over when and how your vehicle is serviced, and gain knowledge about the inner workings of your car. However, the drawbacks should also be taken into consideration before deciding if DIY oil changes are right for you. It’s best to take your car to a professional auto service McKinney if you’re unsure about your abilities or if you lack the necessary tools and equipment. While DIY oil change has become more common nowadays, it is always recommended to take professional help for checking your car oil once in a while.
