Just a little background just in case you didn't understand why I was ranting. I work at an oil change facility in Sparta Illinois, and have been there for a little over two years. I have seen just about everything regarding cars, and the way they were designed, and I have to say I'm not impressed. Quite a few times I have wanted to meet the designers and engineers of these vehicles and let them have at their own designs. I would love to see them change the oil on a vehicle that was driven for thirty minutes or more before the owner decided they needed their oil changed.
Now, I don't know how many people have attempted to change the oil in their own vehicles, but I'm telling you, some vehicles are quite ridiculous. For example, a 2000-2002 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.4L engine, the oil filter is a tight fit on the back side of the motor with just enough room for an average size teenager to fit their arm down. Now, the designers expect grown adults to maneuver their way around hot exhaust manifolds and radiator pipes to change the oil in their vehicles. I find this just a tad bit ridiculous. I am just curious on how many people have attempted to change their oil and decided to give up and take it to a facility to have it done, because of a situation like this?
I find it to be a money grab for the manufactures. They drawl you in using their ridiculous designs, and then charge you anywhere from $25.00-$32.00 for an oil change that truly costs, maybe $20.00, and then try to tell you everything under the sun is wrong with your car. So, If you have similar stories, or feel the same way I feel about this, please post up and let me know your experiences. Also, If you have any questions regarding changing the oil in your vehicle and are curious about whether or not you can do it, Please, feel free to ask me any questions. I will try to lead you in the right direction and provide any help you might need.
I agree with you on on the money grabbing part for the companies, especially with the newer cars. They design the cars to be more efficient, but allows very minimal room for owners to privately work on their cars, or do something common such as an oil change, due to the design. To add to the money grabbing, they design the car so its very limited on what the owner can do and then turn around and sell you, at the time of purchase, a warranty to ensure that you bring your car back to them to work on, making even more of a profit off of a car that already cost around twenty thousand dollars. For a fighting argument for the car companies however, they need all the money they can get, especially with all the bail outs that occurred in the past year.
ReplyDeleteHey, now! I happen to have an '02 Chevy Cavalier.. But, I do have to agree that it is a pain in the ass to change my oil. I end up taking the wheel off, it seems easier that way. Lucky for you guys though, I don't take mine anywhere to be changed.. I just have Aaron do it for me. Much easier that way!
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