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jmb99today at 5:56 PM2 repliesview on HN

Changing oil requires

> a place where you have sufficient access to the vehicle to drain it

Probably the only valid argument for people who park on the street.

> the right equipment

One $5 wrench, one $10 filter wrench (optional). One set of ramps ($40), or jack stands ($30) if you already have a jack. One drain pan, $10 (or free if you're resourceful). Total cost max $65. Cheaper if you look for deals, buy used, borrow from a friend. If you can't afford $65 once to save money in the long run while owning a car, you probably should've bought a cheaper car.

> the right disposal solutions

Every oil change requires a jug of oil to be purchased. You can drain your used oil into this jug and then dispose of it along with your other household hazardous waste. This is not hard.

> Most people who have cars do not have that.

I might believe this for a place to do an oil change, maybe. I struggle to believe most, but I would believe many. Aside from that, if you don't have those things, you are choosing not to have them.

Which is kind of the point. None of these things are hard, at all. The majority of car owners 100 years ago could adjust their own timing, clean distributor points, replace belts, etc. because if they couldn't, they'd be calling for a tow truck every few hundred miles. Those are all harder, and things have only gotten easier with time. If you can't do them, you are choosing not to, because there's an even easier solution - spending more money and getting someone else to do it for you.


Replies

mercurywellstoday at 7:25 PM

Good job, you forgot a new crush washer and now your oil pan will leak

show 1 reply
matwoodtoday at 6:57 PM

> One set of ramps ($40), or jack stands ($30)

Given the number of SUVs and trucks, many people don't even need these.