Do You Change Your Saturn's Oil?

[Charlie]

Do you change your Saturn's oil? Do you bring it to your retailer, or a third party service center?

[swoker183]

bring it to my retailer, saturn of berlin

[XtremeGrandAm]

I always took it in. Saturn of Indianapolis and saturn of fishers

[f clark]

Do mine own
That way I know if there any parts in it

[Hiddenlites]

I change the oil in my own vehicles most of the time. It's remarkably easy compared to the two Subirds that I used to own. If I didn't have to put the front end on jack stands, It would almost be easier than changing the oil in my S-10.

[Xanatos]

I have my Retailership do it. Saturn of Aurora.

Make sure it's done right, and if something is wrong, they let me know.

[94sc293sl1]

Finally learned how to change my own oil this year. My friend let me go up to his shop, we'd jack it up and be done in like 10 minutes. Since I'm moving back home that option won't exist. My neighbor across the street has car ramps and all kinds of stuff so I'll probably be going over there from now on.:)

[MydnightMyst]

I do, for the most part, but since I change my oil more often than recommended, because I drag race, sometimes I don't have the time and Johnny Mac Motorsports does it for me. :)

[muzikmann]

I used to change my own, but the cool manager at the apartments got promoted and we got stuck with a bunch of idiots. But that'll change soon since we're moving into a house. For the time being, I take it to the dealership close to me (Saturn of Chapel Hills) since it's cheap and they wash my car for me; something else I can't do here.

[unkle bik]

Weather permitting, I do my own in the garage. Can't beat the set-up for changing oil in the Ecotec. Takes 10 min. with little mess. No more S-Series oil change nightmares.
Occasionally, I will take it to the dealer to change and get a free car wash out of it & buy a couple filters.

[Galileo]

I learned how to change my oil on my '93 SL2 and did it a few times but, once the novelty of doing it myself wore off, I just let my retailer do it for me now. :cool:

[eRic 02sc2]

i do it unless it's freezing cold and snow outside, then i have saturn do it.

[03VUEAWDVTI]

I do my own. That way I know it's done right. Too many horror stories out there of botched jobs resulting in fights over who is responsible for the melted engine.

[bennett9000]

All myself. I don't see the point in paying somebody to do it if I can do it myself. Same way with any service on my cars- it's me or nobody. Unless it requires a piece of equipment or skill I don't have (bending exhaust, new tires, or replacing a windshield or paint work or something) I HATE letting someone else work on my car.

[sstar]

No one touches my car except for my trusted mechanic. Except for warranty repairs, and then I'm on pins and needles. I personaly know of two retailer oil change mishaps (non Saturn). One Ford retailer forgot to put the oil in my neighbors truck. They had to replace the motor! The other was a loose drain plug. The oil light came on when he got home. He was furious. Fortunately, no damage was caused

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by sstar
No one touches my car except for my trusted mechanic. Except for warranty repairs, and then I'm on pins and needles. I personaly know of two retailer oil change mishaps (non Saturn). One Ford retailer forgot to put the oil in my neighbors truck. They had to replace the motor! The other was a loose drain plug. The oil light came on when he got home. He was furious. Fortunately, no damage was caused

A co-worker of mine just went through the same thing. Thought he got a bargain when he went to "A named brand tire dealer" to get a $15.95 oil change. Drove the car for a week when he heard a loud pop on the freeway, smoke everywhere. The 2001 Malibu limped to the parking lot here at work, then died.
Seems the mechanic put the wrong filter on & it worked it's way off blowing the motor.
Lucky for him the tire store bought him a used 3.1 V6 for only $3500.

[ricksLS1]

And we had Saturn techs putting the 6 cyl. filter in the 2.2 for the L. The filters are easy to tell apart. I had a case where the filter wasn't changed by a Saturn Tech on my L. Just because they are nice and wash your car dosen't mean they do the work right. I like to do myself. I know it was done right and what materials were used

[bravesfann23]

I do it myself. Actually I just did the first one on my L200. It was so easy I can't justify letting someone else do it.

[100KSW2]

I changed my own oil on my previous car, but lost accesss to the nice warm garage where I used to do it. That fact, the lower clearance under my Saturn, and low service prices convinced me to let Saturn do it when I bought my SW2.

I only had a problem once, when somebody stripped the threads on the oilpan, but that was replaced under warranty - since ALL work had been done by several Saturn retailers. This isn't rocket science but then they don't have master technicians doing oil changes (more like the car lot jockey or former parts counter person).

[Dr. Bob]

I do my own - have been for 30 years. Over that time I can count on 1 hand the number of changes that I didn't do.

[Arnel]

Originally posted by swoker183
bring it to my retailer, saturn of berlin

I have a license plate frame from your retailer, saturn of berlin. my wife used to work in berlin, md - site of the movie runaway bride (richard gere & julia roberts).

I called htem up one day and they gladly sent mne several frames. I always had one mounted on the front of any saturns i sold to residents of berlin.

[2fast4all]

i have heard u should have the dealer do it cuz there is a part near the oil and if it get some on it u have to replace it

[ProDarwin]

I do it.

[L300Boy]

Our quickie lube places love to shove L series 4 cyl oil fliters into V6 engines. I'll let Saturn take care of it, since they obviously do Saturns all day....

[dugg67]

Being an Assistant Service Manager at an automobile service and repair facility has it's advantages. I usually change it myself, but if I get lazy I have a GREAT Tech that I can usually bribe into it. :D

I do buy my filters from my friendly neighborhood (45 min away, but they deliver! :flag: ) Saturn Parts department.

:cool:

[silvervoo]

Originally posted by Hiddenlites
If I didn't have to put the front end on jack stands, It would almost be easier than changing the oil in my S-10.
I changed the oil in my old 94sc2 without jacking it up at all. And yes, I'm fairly skinny :)

[hasitha]

I do my own oil changes and other things I can handle. Its always AC PF53 filter + 4qts. of Mobil-1 5W-30 for the sc2 and Saturn filter + 5qts of Mobil-1 5W-30 for the Vue. This way I only spend $19 for the sc2 and $23 for the Vue compared to $50+ each if I paid a shop/dealer to do a synthetic oil change. Besides I know my car is taken care of and also get to inspect how the engine is doing rather than finding something has been going bad for a while.

Changing oil on the sc2 is a bit of work, but the Vue is a breeze. No need to raise the car or anything. - love that 2.2L.

[pkschul]

I change my own... I trust my local retailers about as far as I can throw them.

[dozer103]

I do my own. I AM my retailer!:yes:

[L200INRI]

I bring it to the dealer right next to my office Saturn of Norwood - Norwood, Ma -- they're open every nite until 9:00pm - so much easier

[cary]

Saturn of the Valley, Los Angeles, CA, changes the oil and filters on our cars. As part of this service, they top off fluids; lubricate locks, hinges, seat track and things like that and give the car a bath. When the car has a scratch or asphalt stain, they buff them out. We’ve been doing it this way through six Saturns.

[robert_vue]

I usually have the retailer do it because then I can get my car washed, fluids topped off, etc. But with no job, I think I'll start changing the oil myself. I did have a question though, about Synthetic oil.. I use full synthetic on my 2003 Vue, and I will continue to do this, but I can go longer than 3000 miles before getting the oil changed right?

[Reese]

Bring it to the Saturn dealership, let them good men do it :)

[LynnF]

My dealer does it as part of the regular check up.

[txsl02]

I always have changed my own oil since day one. You can never trust oil change places, and plus it saves money. I use Castrol Gtx 5W-30 for winter, and 10W-30 for summer. The reason I use 10W-30 in summer is because I live in Houston, where it gets real hot and humid. I religiously change the oil every 2,500-3,000 miles!

[ItzJustMe281]

I do my own. Its so easy and so much cheaper to do it yourself. Plus I dont trust too many people to work on my car.

[IndyVUE]

Saturn L81 filter and 5 qt jug of Mobil 1 = $25.00 :D

Chance to look at the bottom myself = Priceless! ;)

I understand the reasons each poster has stated.
Bottom line we ALL care for our precious Saturns!!!

[wlhawk]

I've done my own for the last 15-20 years. If I didn't, I'd go to ther dealer.
It's very quick and easily done on the SL, SC and Vue engines.

[dwstock]

I change my oil.

[bigad21]

always do my own

[PowerByBrower]

I can't believe how easy it is to change the oil in the 2.2Liter L-Series. I simply can't justify spending the money to pay someone to do a 10 min job and the peace of mind that it's been done right is priceless.

[Random Story]
When I first got my L200, I was so excited about how the oil filter is on the front side of the block, I ran into the house and got my dad, (I lived with my parents at the time.) I showed him how easy it was to get to the oil filter and that the only part of changing my oil that involved crawling around under the car was to take out the oil plug.
My dad smiled and said his '64 Plymouth had an oil filter just like mine and he actually had a cable actuator under the hood that he would turn and it would back out the oil drain plug! The only crawling around under that car he had to do was to push the oil pan under the car and then pull it out! He got a good laugh out of my stunned reaction.
I guess what worked 40 years ago can still work today.

[01SC2]

Do it myself. Then I can look at it and know if there is any metal deposits. I can also be sure high quality synthetic is going in to. I like working on my own car as much as possible.

[madpogue]

Wix filter, Mobil 1, my ramps and (ouch!) a gravel driveway. I know I get the right filter, 'cuz the number doesn't change. With it on ramps, I usually go and do something else for a half-hour or so, to drain out as much of the old stuff as possible.

[scotsman]

Saturn of Raleigh does my 3 Saturns. Pretty much impossible to get under vehicles anymore with my back injury.

[hsv sc2]

Always, That way I know what goes into it, and I get an excuse to get dirty.

[Specialist]

I always change my own oil... On something that important, I want to know that it is done right.

[Old Bob]

I do it myself.

[spclvue]

Do my own. Heard too many horror stories about stripped drain plugs and the like. With the VUE you don't even need a jack. Sits high enough you just slide right under.

[94sc295sl2]

i change all the oil in my whole familys cars and trucks (except the *****y mother in law who would rather get ripped off by wal-mart.) $75.00 for a synthetic oil change, and the last time they didnt even change the filter

[Bruno_Ion]

I've always went to the retailer.

[SL1Joe]

I do it myself infact i'm preparing to do another one, just got the supplies today. Got the SL1 and our E-150 van to do, I don't trust these oil change places had one do our van awhile back (cause they had a special going) as well as replace the Air Filter and they didn't even do anything charged us $21 for an Air Filter! (which is about the only thing that was changed) thats after we waited 3 1/2 hours.

There is no Saturn dealer close by but even if there was I would probably still do it myself.

[peabody58]

After 20 some years of always changing my own oil, I got spoiled and now let the local SpeedLube do it for all of our vehicles. I'm just getting to old and cranky (46) to lay around on the garage floor spilling oil every other month. I paid my dues in my 20's working on old beaters outside on gravel driveways in the middle of winter in the mud and the blood and the beer! :arr:

We change our oil every 5000 miles, and the local service (top off fluids, check filters, vac the car) is really nice.

IT's a small town and the lube techs are very good. Never had any problems.

They do however always try to get me to do a special oil flush ($29.95) by showing me the bottom of a dirty oil filter. Don't fall for that trick. Every third oil change I put a can of Engine Flush ($2-$3) in the car right before the oil change.

Now with my wife's 2005 Beetle Convertible, we will probably let the dealership do the oil changes. There is a metal support plate that has to be removed and I'd hate for anything to get messed up. Still debating weather to switch to synthitic for the NBC. Our 2000 NB has 99K miles with no problems using good oil regular oil.

Oh - and non of my fleet burns oil. Knock on wood.

[Reb]

I've always liked to do my own oil & filter changes. However, I'll run through the local "Express Oil Change" if the weather is lousy and/or I'm feeling lazy, and/or I'm sporting a few extra bucks.
I've only done my 2001 SL2's oil once since getting it back in Oct. I got 4 quarts of Castrol GTX 5W-30, a Fram oil filter and a gallon of DexCool antifreeze at Walmart and serviced it myself. They say the factory coolant will last longer than the 49K miles on the car, but I wanted to flush & refill the cooling system anyway. Same goes with the transaxle. It was supposed to go to 100K, but I got the Dexron III fluid and spin-on tranny filter at Auto Zone and did that service myself as well. This Saturn has got to be one of the easiest vehicles on the planet to service. There's just nothing to it!

Reb

[SL1Joe]

All done, this time I went at the Oil Filter from the right front wheel well, the last time I did it (when I first got the car) I went at it from under the car not realizing there was an easier way. For the most part all went smoothly my only quirk was where Saturn put the Oil Filter right above the halfshaft, it's impossible to get that thing off without making a mess Once I had it off I went through quite a few shop towels, i'm wondering if there is an Oil Filter Relocation Kit for Saturn S Series cars, i've seen them for other cars mostly older cars, I don't think it would need to consist of much basically just to move the Oil Filter back a bit so it's not directly above the Halfshaft and maybe angle it so it doesn't make such a mess when you take it off.

[schultp]

I do. 1993 SL2 with 205,000 miles. I really should calculate the savings over the years versus the going rate at the dealer!

Paul.

[94SL1]

I change my own oil every 2,000 miles.

[1995 SC2]

Saturn Of Schaumburg, Illinois does all the Maintenance on mine since Day 1!

[GregS&L]

Always change my own oil. Been doing it since I owned my first car 1973. Still have my trusty Gott Corp. black oil container/drain pan, (no longer available). After 4 or so changes, it (the old oil) goes to the county recycling center. With my 2001 L and my daughter's 1995 S series, need drive on ramps to get under to do it.

Many other cars I owned such as a 1965 Mustang with a 289 CID engine, just crawl under it, about a 10 minute job including the filter. The easiest and less messy one was and still is my 1971 Chevelle SS454. The filter is installed vertical on the Chevy big blocks. Very little mess after unscrewing it. The worst was a Triumph TR-6. Getting the canister filter (actually similiar to the V6 L series) out and back in was a bit of a pain! The brake lines were always in the way. The Saturn V6 canister filter is SO easy in comparison. :cool:

[zac14]

I change my own. on my ion but my wife pays to have hers done. It's alot easier on my ion to chage the oil. I love the top filter. no oil all over me.. I use mobil 1
and i can get really expencive if i have the dealer do it..plus it gets me out in the garage..

Zac

[Rogn38]

My Oil is self changing...I go through it at such a rate that it constantly changes its self.........no just kidding.
I only recentely got my 92, SL2, so I haven't needed to change it yet, but I will do it my self, probably this week end.
I don't imagine it is too difficult to do.
Does anyone have any tips when it comes to changing the oil on a SL2.
:canada:

[Darlla27]

I bring it to a different retailer.

I did just notice that Saturn's web site states that under normal driving conditions that oil changes are reccommended only ever 6 months/ 6,000 mi. I usually do it ever 3,000.

Does that seem like too long to go to anyone else?

[lynch1225]

I have it changed at the dealership every 3000 miles.

[peppermrj]

Do it myself. The last time I got lazy and just ducked into the local grease pit I developed a leak. Turned out to be overfilled. :upset:

[haunter]

I havent let someone else change my oil in years

[Juicer69]

I change my wife's and my 99 SL2s oil. I trust no one with our maintenance for our cars, except myself of course.

[Eggyism]

No more S-Series oil change nightmares.

Right!? God the first time i did my own it took me an hour. No lie, couldnt find the filter then couldnt figure out how to get to it without burning my arm, then how to get the new filter on. what a mess. but i know what i'm doin now so i'm good

[Silver02ex]

I have been doing my own for almost a year. I use to go to Jiffy lube since my old apartment didn't allow people to work on their cars. The things I don't like about place like that is they try to sell me stuff I don't need. Another thing is I feel they don't let the old oil drain long enough. If I'm going to have the oil change, i will do it myself and do it right. I'll let the oil drain for 30-45 min. to get almost every drop out, and wait for the filter to cool.

[my99sl1]

i would always change my own oil

its alot cheaper that way

[98greenSC2]

I'd much rather do it myself. $20 for a 5 quart jug of Mobil1 5w-30, a few more for a filter, and 30 minutes of quality time with my car. Better than going to Jiffy Lube and getting conventional 10w-30, maybe getting a new filter, and hoping they put oil but in for the same cost. Seriously, changing your oil should be something every car owner knows how to do, along with changing a tire.

/rant off

[ralheid]

I usually take it to a local quick oil change company :)

[Goodoyster]

We have a local Tuffy Auto Center that is great. They use Castrol GTX, show you the new filter before putting it on, will let you look at the old one and cut it open if you want to check for metal particles, and they have the two oil change lifts right next to a big window so you can watch the guy do it! A very clean, well run place, and about every 2 months a new coupon comes out that lets you get an oil change for $14.95, or just under $20 after taxes and fees. Plus, on Saturdays they have coffee and donuts from Dunkin Donuts!

MMMMMMM, Do-nuts!

[2Lime4U]

I do my own - have been for 30 years. Over that time I can count on 1 hand the number of changes that I didn't do.

Bingo! Been doing my own for 25 years now. Guess it may be because I was raised that way. I was also taught to always take the used oil to a proper recycle center, or a local garage, and to also burn the filter clean in the garage furnace.

[SpencerportNY]

I personaly know the guy that does my oil at Jiffy Lube. He just moonlights there for some extra cash. I also throw in Mobil 1 during the winter months.

[SaturnVLN]

It being that my nearest retailer is 150 miles to the northeast (San Antonio), I change the oil when weather permits. On cold, rainy weekends I usually opt for the local Wal-Mart Auto Dept. Changing the oil myself gives ME the opportunity to check the underside of our "97 SL1 and '01 SL2 (and the '99 Honda Accord, as well). Plus, I save money by only spending $10 per car at the local Wal-Mart for the filter and oil. Now that my son takes the '97 to college, he takes it to the local Wal-Mart Auto Dept. where he's at. He doesn't have a place to change the oil himself. Proud of him; he budgets for the oil change.

[whitecrayon]

Never do, cheaper at the local firestone, I get synthetic blend and a filter for like thirteen bucks.

[M1snowman]

change my own on the saturn but have midas do the 02 firebird. We have a auto hobby on base with lifts we can use.

[PurdueGuy]

Too easy not to do myself. :)

[98greenSC2]

Too easy not to do myself. :)

Except for the filter...

[saturnowner2001]

I either go to Saturn (if not too busy) or Jiffy Lube (with coupon @ 21.99). but if you go to Saturn they wash the car with the oil change!

[2001L300]

Of course the oil gets changed -- I just have the Oil Xpress people do it. The only thing I hate is that they charge me $5 extra for the filter since the L300 has a strange one.

[Sweet Ride]

Trans-Dapt makes an oil filter relocation kit for Saturns. I think I'm going to try it on my 93 SC2. Would be great to have it in a location that won't get oil on everything.

[LadyRenegade]

Uh, my Saturn changes it's own oil, according to my husband. It seems to drink it, yet there's no spot on the driveway and we're passing emissions. :xeye:

But, yes, we do feed it oil and change the filter ourselves. I always did my SL1's and my DH does the SW2. If he doesn't get to it, I do.

[bgsneeze]

I change my oil, around where i live it is way to expensive for a change using synthetic. the cheapest i ahve found is $50 and i can change it my self for around $38.

[DarrylLeeOHS30]

wow, im surprised to see as many people going to the dealerships to have it done.

I usually go to a "3rd party" place... (wal mart or pennzoil) is that bad?

Is it alot more expensive at the dealer? I pay 19.94 at walmart for filter oil and they check the fluids and stuff

the only reason i hate to go to the dealer for parts is that if they want you to buy something you don't and u say no.. they just kinda never let it go and are SO persistant

[unkle bik]

wow, im surprised to see as many people going to the dealerships to have it done.

I usually go to a "3rd party" place... (wal mart or pennzoil) is that bad?

Is it alot more expensive at the dealer? I pay 19.94 at walmart for filter oil and they check the fluids and stuff

the only reason i hate to go to the dealer for parts is that if they want you to buy something you don't and u say no.. they just kinda never let it go and are SO persistant
Here, read this:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62110
...and form your own opinion.

[DarrylLeeOHS30]

Here, read this:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62110
...and form your own opinion.

well thanks for that link..

ive concluded that its only gonna be dealer or valvoline.

[redturtle98]

My husband changes my oil...lol..that sounded funny.