I recently received a coupon for a free oil change for Mr. Handsome’s truck and eagerly called the dealership to make an appointment. Before ended the call, I wanted to confirm with the representative that the service would be completely free. She said that the oil change would be free but that there could be a separate $100 charge if the dealership deemed that the engine air and cabin air filters needed to be changed. Based on the mileage, it seemed very likely that this would be necessary.
This sounded ridiculous to me, and I was determined to find a cheaper way. I wasn’t about to do a DIY oil change, but I did have faith in my ability to change a couple filters. After a quick YouTube search and less than 10 minutes of my time, I successfully removed both filers. The replacements cost less than $40 at the auto parts store, so I saved $60. Talk about a successful Saturday!
Mackenzie
Way to go! I am so impressed!!
Shela G
Good for you Ellie!! I think I would be too intimidated to even try. Now my son on the other hand has a goal of being a mechanic he does most maintenance on our Honda. Last month he worked on the breaks. Actually Today he changed the transmission fluid and power steering fluid. He has already saved us so much money!!
Eileen
You go Ellie! So worth it. I used to do these type of things myself as well. As women, it is also good to have some knowledge about what is under the hood, in case anything happens.
Anonymous
Men should know how to cook, clean, do laundry, and sew on a button too! Gender roles when it comes to life’s tasks should not be strictly divided.
Anonymous
It is so ridiculous what they charge for even small vehicle jobs. Ellie that was really wise of you to do what you can to save money. Sixty dollars of savings is something to be proud of. Good job Ellie!
Anonymous
Good for you, but I enjoy dropping my cars off at the dealer or at the specialty garage that only does my make of cars. One car is under warranty so it’s no big deal to take it to the dealer. I’m “too old” to get my hands dirty any more. I’d rather write a check and be done with it. That said, there were younger years when I helped with oil changes, repaired a muffler, changed spark plugs, did routine maintenance, etc. Cars back then were a whole lot simpler than they are now, like lawnmowers compared to today’s cars.
Anonymous
I agree with you about today’s vehicles. Back in the 70’s, Daddy taught me how to check/add fluids, change a tire and flush the radiator. Simple. He said to always carry a jug of water and a roll of duct tape in the trunk.
Anonymous
LOL – you can’t carry a jug of water around in the trunk when you live in certain places. Well, you can for maybe 6 months out of the year. But then it will freeze and split the jug and come spring thaw you have a wet trunk, which is a whole other problem. LOL
Anonymous
When did he get a truck? Last we heard, he was bemoaning the fact that he had to get a minivan.
Ellie
Yep he got a truck. Both of our cars went out in the same year. He has always wanted a truck, and we found a great deal
Anonymous
People are lucky to find any vehicles these days with the microchip shortage. Even parts can be hard to come by. Ha ha though – funny that he didn’t make a post about buying a truck, just the one about not wanting to turn into a mini van man. Guess he’s back to being macho again now that he has a truck! Ha ha
Ellie
Ya he definitely loves his truck! haha. But he still happily drives the mini van, too.
I know, that chip shortage is very unfortunate. It’s impacting so much–vehicles, printers, computers, etc.
Anonymous
Shortage of chips because they had to put them all in the vaccines?? LOL
Ellie
I think that’s definitely it. LOL!
Marilyn
Good job Ellie. My father was a mechanic and he taught me to change the oil[though I never did attempt that[ check the oil and transmission and steering fluid,too. I can do all of that and add the anti freeze if needed. I also checked the tires. Unfortunately, I no longer have a car. Congratulations. God Bless you and yours.
Marilyn
Anonymous
Ellie you make a pretty mechanic and I think its cool you changing the filters on Mr. H’s truck to save money.
Vickie Melvin
I do things like that as well. YouTube has a bunch of mechanic videos. Some repairs are too complex but I have changed spark plugs, put in lights and done other small car things myself after buying parts. AutoZone has tools you can borrow free so I do that. Great way to save money ellie!
Ellie
I didn’t know that AutoZone has tools that you can borrow. That’s great! Are you able to take them home, or do you have to use them in their parking lot?
Diana
Only in their parking lot! It’s great.
We do all the repairs on our vehicles. It’s a great money saver. You can figure most anything out with an internet search!
Vickie Melvin
You take them home. They don’t want you doing repairs in the parking lot.
Justine Kessner
SISTER are doing for themself!!!!! Standing on their own 2 feet, Aretha Franklin!!!!! I am proud of U!!!!!
Ann
Ellie, I would have spent the money on getting it fit instead of doing it myself. If you do it yourself something could happen to Mr.Handsome in the highway.
Anonymous
I think Mr. H. probably help Ellie or checked her work. It was Mr. H’s truck!! Lol
Ellie
I showed him how to do it. ๐ Neither of us had changed filters before.
Shell
Lol Ellie , I’m so pleased you flipped the assumptions ๐