I changed the oil in my truck, the first time I’ve done so with the new rig–a 2020 Ford F150. What usually took me 15 minutes with my Toyota took me two hours with this one, partly because I didn’t look at the engine diagram closely enough and I removed a skid plate that I didn’t need to remove, which I then had to replace, and the bolts had been forced. But I did actually have to remove a skid plate to get to the oil pan, which seems ridiculous. Also, the oil filter has a shell that is permanent, so you remove that shell, then replace just the filter part, and also you replace 3 gaskets that come with the filter. While trying to get one gasket off I stabbed myself in the hand with a pocket knife and the blade tip dinged my knuckle bone. My knuckle is now turning blue, which can’t be good. I rubbed Neosporin on it.
When I told all this to a friend he asked me why I didn’t just pay $30 to have some shop do it. I said first of all, you might get a coupon for $30 in the mail, but that doesn’t include tax or the environmental fee, and it only includes 5 quarts of standard oil and I’m not sure it even includes a filter. I use full synthetic oil, which lasts 3 times as long and protects at least that many times as well. And a truck needs 6 quarts of it. If you use full synthetic at a shop, you’re not getting out of there for less than $80, and maybe more than that. That’s how they get you, as the saying goes.
I paid under $50, and now that I know what I’m doing, next time I’ll be able to do it for under $40 and in under 20 minutes. Also, I like to at least try to do things myself. I’m not great at mechanical stuff, but I used to say that and now, because I usually try things, I am way more competent about all kinds of things that need fixing. Plus, tools not only make sense to me now in a way that they didn’t 20 years ago, but I actually enjoy using tools, though probably in a kind of primitive way that cavemen did when they used them to smash a friend on the head and steal their food/lady. Anyway, I changed out my brakes once, and it went alright, though I don’t think I’ll do it again. I can replace shocks if I have to, too.
For me, it’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with it that matters, but more important is the learning, which has to be good for your brain, and the reliance on yourself to be able to fix at least the simple things. Then again if you make a lot of money and/or don’t have a lot of time, I completely understand paying someone else to do that shit. But I have nothing but time, and I don’t have a lot of money, so it works out good.
I also potted some plants today that I’d bought recently and repotted another one, which on the whole was enjoyable because I really like plants. But for both activities, it was sunny out and each was a great excuse to be outside.
Issue: This isn’t that exciting of a blog post.
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