Two car questions, for a newbie

[AlphaDog]

I'm assuming what this messing around with oil and fishies means is that none of us Puget Sounders have a clue about what to tell Peter B. about his car, right?

Peter, I did a Google search and quickly found a forum for owners of Ford Contours. You might want to check it, and it might also be a good idea to see if you find a better one. Running that power steering problem past others might be helpful. You should also check your owners manual (if you got one) and see if there aren't two separate lights on that dashboard - one that says Check Oil and a second one that says Check Engine. I seem to think there might be. Or, if you don't have a manual, use the forum and see if another owner of a Contour can clarify it for you.

http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-contour/

See? I am trying to be of some help!

[macphanatic]

In PA, the auto stores that sell oil typically take the used oil.

As for draining the oil, there are other ways. There are several companies that sell a device that sucks the oil up through the dipstick tube. When done properly, it can do a better job than through the drain plug. Many boat and motorcycle owners use this method, as well as factory trained mechanics for a few of the luxury brands. This method reduces the likelihood of a mess. If the oil filter is easily accessible, you may not even need ramps to change it. (Newer Toyota 4runners have the oil filter on top of the engine.)

[Carm]

I gots to take a picture of a surfer girl on the bus stop near my house. She says keep the oil out of the drain because it could end up in the ocean. Uh, I live in the DESERT. Ocean is about 3 hours away. We dont have no fish emblems on our drains, so me thinks I cant pour it down drain. , man use guyz are lucky.

Joe

[Don Kiyoti]

Peter,

Changing the oil on your car is quite easy once you get the car jacked up and placed on stands.

But I agree with the others that using a mechanic is the way to go in your case. My reasoning is that a good mechanic will look the car over and service other items besides the oil, things you're not familiar with.

My independent Honda mechanic has 3 tiers of service: oil change, minor service, and major service. They base it on time since they don't know how much I drive. I drive very little so it throws the timing off but the point is I get what needs servicing done when it needs it. An oil change should include checking the fluids and tires and giving the car a once-over, and you should be able to wait for it if you call ahead and make an appointment.

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote M A V I C]I haven't a clue where one can get their oil change for $15.
MountainView Goodyear, 9 buck coupons.
Known the owner for 27 years, used to be my leadman at Lockheed.

BGnR

[Racer X]

yeah. Around the north Seattle area, there are a few places in the $20 range.

All but one of my cars i can do without jacking it up. Gotta love those midsized GMs with buick V-8s in the. Spin off the oil filter from the top, and it drops straight down into the drain pan, stick your arm way under the car and unscrew the drain plug, spin on a new filter, and about that time, oil is done draining. Refill the oil while you are putting stuff away. maybe 10 minutes unless I dribbled something on the ground.

[PeterB]

Thanks everyone.

I'm guessing that $25 for the local mechanic is a pretty good deal. As I said, he was recommended by a coworker, but boy... his place is... shall we say, "interesting" ?

And yes, it's probably a good idea for him to look over other stuff... in particular I'd say my tires... roads here are awful, huge numbers of potholes.

AlphaDog, yes, I've seen that forum before (and a few others like it). The check engine light is usually due to a problem with the transmission giving an error code, but the error can itself be erroneous, which is why I'm guessing the previous mechanic said to ignore it (since he had just thoroughly serviced it, and as I said, he was entirely trustworthy). That's consistent with what's been posted about it in that forum, and that it went away on its own the last time it happened. I'll have to check the manual (yes, I do have it) to see if there is a separate "check oil" light-- I'd guess that there probably is. As for the rare loss of the power steering-- from what I can tell, that's most commonly due to a slipping or deteriorating serpentine belt. What's weird in my case is that it almost always happens when the car has been drenched (from a downpour), which makes me think the problem is more likely electrical or related to the sensors for the serpentine belt.

[bassguy]

I've been going to our local Firestone service center for years. Excellent service, no hard sell. LOF is 16.90 after tax and disposal fee, if you put it on Firestone charge card. And they rotate the tires for free if you bought them there.

[Racer X]

I just went past the Ford dealership near work, and I saw a banner about a 9.99 oil change. No idea what the out-the-door price is, but can't be more than maybe $17.