Topic: Serviced the tranny...

[MoAv]

We're getting ready to go to the Ohio GTG at the end of the month, and my Av cooperated by giving me the "change oil" message (again  ) so I took it to Cape yesterday and had the oil changed, then went to the transmission shop and talked to them about servicing the transmission.  The guy there also agreed that "flushing" a high mileage tranny isn't such a good idea, so they dropped the pan, drained it, did whatever it is they do to the transmission & put it all back together & put new fluid in it.  The mechanic showed me the old fluid - it was turning brownish and he said it was time to have it changed, but what I liked, is that there was almost no "sludge" in the pan.  He said my tranny was in really good shape - music to my ears 

BTW - I had the oil changed at Performance Lube in Cape - $77!!!  I do use Mobil 1 synthetic, but doesn't that seem a bit high to you all?  Most I've paid so far had been $45....Have synthetic oil prices gone up that far?  Heck, the tranny service was only $79 and it took almost an hour & a half....Of course some of that time was the guys drooling over my Av and checking out all the mods 

[oHIobellboy]

I paid a bit more than that to have my tranny serviced so it offset the price of the oilchange this time. Last time I needed an oil change someone pointed out a coupon for a full synthetic at Firestone for about $25, I jumped all over that.

[MyBigToy]

$45 is pretty typical for what I see advertised around St. Louis for a synthetic oil/filter change. Why not do it yourself for less than $30? It's a simple job and all of the auto parts stores take used oil.

[MoAv]

I paid a bit more than that to have my tranny serviced so it offset the price of the oilchange this time. Last time I needed an oil change someone pointed out a coupon for a full synthetic at Firestone for about $25, I jumped all over that.

$25????    I'da jumped all over that too!!  I really think I got took by that bunch....

$45 is pretty typical for what I see advertised around St. Louis for a synthetic oil/filter change. Why not do it yourself for less than $30? It's a simple job and all of the auto parts stores take used oil.

I actually had plans to do it myself after reading Rising Phoenix's post on Cafcna - It looked simple enough, but I just don't have time right now - and honestly, with no garage, it's kind of a scary thing to think of doing that parked on the street...My son just bought a house that has a 3 car shop behind it...I'll probably do it myself next time over there.  Hmmmm...wonder if I can talk him into getting some kind of lift?      

[Donnie1]

I had mine done at Wal Mart one time just because it was raining out and I couldn't mine into the garage, It only cost me about $52 for Mobil 1. And yes, I stood at the window and watched them the entire time, I've heard too many horror stories.

[MyBigToy]

I had mine done at Wal Mart one time just because it was raining out and I couldn't mine into the garage, It only cost me about $52 for Mobil 1. And yes, I stood at the window and watched them the entire time, I've heard too many horror stories.

So did I the one time I let Walmart do it and I still had a problem. It was on an 89 Mustang V8 - it had two drain plugs and the ninnies didn't remove the rear plug. It was about 2 quarts over full. That's part of the reason I don't trust anybody except myself to do it right. I do have a shop I trust to do major work that I just can't or don't want to do - they installed my Magnacharger and it's never had an issue.

[MyBigToy]

Hmmmm...wonder if I can talk him into getting some kind of lift?      

You really don't need one - it's easy to just slide up under the Av and remove the drain plug. Mine's lowered 3" in the rear and I can still get underneath it pretty easily.  A Vette, now THAT'S a different story. 

[MoAv]

I will probably do mine myself next time - I just can't see paying that kind of money for something that simple.  I'll have to check, but last time I bought a case of Mobil 1 for my Lincoln, it was only about 30 bucks.  I've been using the Napa Gold filter, and it's $7 - a lot less than what they charged me.  Heck, the dealer was only $2 more!! 

[boilers94]

Dang, MoAv!!  I would have changed your oil myself for around $45 when you passed through Dayton!!  Honestly, you can do a Full Synthetic Oil Change with a good filter (i.e.: WIX Filters) for around $35!!   

[Main One]

Just the oil that I use (Redline full synthetic) is $50.   

For what they charge to change it, around $25 or so, I'd just as soon not worry about the possible mess.  Oldest daughter's boyfriend changed her oil over the weekend and dumped a good deal of oil on my driveway which really PO'ed the wife.  I've learned over the years that $25 is good insurance for not PO'ing the wife.   

[boilers94]

My wife is ALWAYS PO'd at me so that's why I change my own oil in the driveway!!!! 

[MoAv]

Just the oil that I use (Redline full synthetic) is $50.   

For what they charge to change it, around $25 or so, I'd just as soon not worry about the possible mess.  Oldest daughter's boyfriend changed her oil over the weekend and dumped a good deal of oil on my driveway which really PO'ed the wife.  I've learned over the years that $25 is good insurance for not PO'ing the wife.   

Wise man 

 

[MyBigToy]

My wife is ALWAYS PO'd at me so that's why I change my own oil in the driveway!!!! 

I agree with you - no matter what you do, you're in trouble, so you'd about as well go ahead and do what you want to do! 

[Fowlhunter]

I currently live in an apartment, I just change mine in the parking lot. 

Hey Joe,

How on earth do you get under your AV without jacking it up?  Mine is lifted a little and I still need to jack it up to be sure I can get the plug out and swap out the filter.  I am also running synthetic oil (Pennzoil).  Yes, Pennzoil, I'm an ex PA boy.

[MyBigToy]

Hey Joe,

How on earth do you get under your AV without jacking it up?  Mine is lifted a little and I still need to jack it up to be sure I can get the plug out and swap out the filter.  I am also running synthetic oil (Pennzoil).  Yes, Pennzoil, I'm an ex PA boy.

I just slide underneath, right behind the back side of the driver's tire. I've got 275/55/20's on mine so they are about 32" tall.