Oil change supplies - just one of my many flaws

kcult

kcult

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I can probably count on one hand, the number of times someone else changed the oil in a vehicle that resided in my driveway. So, from 16 to 52, that's, um, if you carry the one, that's, uh, a lot of years.

With the exception of the half dozen E46s I've owned, I can never recall the part number for the filter, the recommended oil, or the actual quantity. Every freaking time I want to change the oil in something, I'm looking that chit up! Drives me bonkers!

Since most here, on average, are brighter than me, how are you making this easier on yourself? I mean, can you stop in whatever place you find yourself at and say, "Oh yeah. Probably should grab stuff to change the oil in my Quattro Porte this weekend," and just toss that stuff in the buggy (not cart)?

If yeah, is it because you just remember, or did you write it on the pine tree hanging from your rear view mirror, or...?
 
I do the same thing! Recently I bought one of those DYMO label makers on Amazon to label my reload recipes (can’t remember those either), and it occurred to me to make a label with the date and filter details to place on the windshield inside where those oil changers put their labels. Works great.
 
I’ve got file folders for each of my vehicles. I keep a flap from the oil filter box in the file folder of each vehicle, sometimes I’ll just toss it in the glove box with the mileage wrote on it. As far as oil goes, I only use two types but you could write the weight you need on that same filter box flap.

Or just go old school and write the oil type and filter number in silver sharpie somewhere under the hood.
 
hp468 said:
I’ve got file folders for each of my vehicles. I keep a flap from the oil filter box in the file folder of each vehicle, sometimes I’ll just toss it in the glove box with the mileage wrote on it. As far as oil goes, I only use two types but you could write the weight you need on that same filter box flap.

Or just go old school and write the oil type and filter number in silver sharpie somewhere under the hood.
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Hmm. You're giving me an eye deer. Perhaps a business card sized cheat sheet to stick in my wallet.

My problem is not so much the when and mileage, as it is the what and how much.
 
Simplest way? Look it up right now and type it up in the notes function on your phone.

F250
Oil: 15 qts T6 Rotella
Oil Filter:
Fuel Filter

Last changed: 210,500

Then just update the mileage when you change it.

I also put the wiper blade number and tire size in that note for each vehicle as well.

Edit. It would have the air filter number too but my truck runs a K&N filter.
 
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I've got 2 vehicles. I remember the Mobil one oil filter part number, oil brand, weight, and capacity in each. I can also tell you the transmission fluid type, differential fluid weight, power steering fluid type, and brake fluid type. I can tell you what brand tires and tire sizes are on each as well as the pressure they are set at usually.
 
Chdamn said:
Simplest way? Look it up right now and type it up in the notes function on your phone.

F250
Oil: 15 qts T6 Rotella
Oil Filter:
Fuel Filter

Last changed: 210,500

Then just update the mileage when you change it.

I also put the wiper blade number and tire size in that note for each vehicle as well.

Edit. It would have the air filter number too but my truck runs a K&N filter.
Click to expand...
^^ this is what I do too, notes on my phone for all my vehicles and equipment.
 
I just pay someone else to do it for me. I'm too old to be wallering on the ground to get to a drain plug.
 
Mine have been the same for years. Both have 7.3's so it's easy to remember. And I change filters at 5,000 mile intervals or every summer. Usually every summer. I'm not allowed to even adjust the brakes in my KW, everything has to be done at the KW dealership. For record purposes in case of an accident. Takes the liability off myself and our dealership
 
tbafile said:
”and how much”

I thought it was great when they started offering oil in 5 quart bottles of oil — until I bought a Tacoma that requires 5.5 quarts. WTF 🤬
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My Tahoe takes 8 quarts. Had to look that up for the first several oil changes.
 
Chdamn said:
Simplest way? Look it up right now and type it up in the notes function on your phone.

F250
Oil: 15 qts T6 Rotella
Oil Filter:
Fuel Filter

Last changed: 210,500

Then just update the mileage when you change it.

I also put the wiper blade number and tire size in that note for each vehicle as well.

Edit. It would have the air filter number too but my truck runs a K&N filter.
Click to expand...
This is what I used to do.

Since I bought this Chevy truck, local tire place can change it and dispose of the oil for the same price it costs me to buy the oil and filter. So I just let them do it. And they rotate my tires while they have it. I enjoy not crawling under my truck anymore
 
I split a 55 gallon drum of rotella with two buddies of mine. We each use 10-15 quarts each oil change and the drum will last us a year and some change. Filters are bought on my commercial account at advanced auto. I just call jimmy and tell him I need oem fuel and oil filter and he delivers it to me.
 
I use note pad on my smartphone to keep the p/n's and torque specs.


I enjoy changing my own oil on all my machines.
 
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Like some others have said, I use the notes app in my phone to list the oil type, filter number, interval, and record of mileage & date of each oil change.

Also, I tend to buy when I find deals, not just when I need it. For the filters, I write the vehicle on the top of the filter box for easy ID.
 
Small dry-erase board in the garage.

Part #s for oil/air filter, oil grade and capacity for each vehicle. Also have last changed/due mileage listed for oil/air and tire rotation.
 
tbafile said:
”and how much”

I thought it was great when they started offering oil in 5 quart bottles of oil — until I bought a Tacoma that requires 5.5 quarts. WTF 🤬
Click to expand...
GoWolfpack said:
My Tahoe takes 8 quarts. Had to look that up for the first several oil changes.
Click to expand...
Sooooo...Toyota and Chevy have joined the evil cabal that started with 8-pack hot dogs and 10-pack hot dog buns. The conspiracy grows...
 
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Burt Gummer said:
This is what I used to do.

Since I bought this Chevy truck, local tire place can change it and dispose of the oil for the same price it costs me to buy the oil and filter. So I just let them do it. And they rotate my tires while they have it. I enjoy not crawling under my truck anymore
Click to expand...
My oil filter is inaccessible. I can change it but it takes an Act of Congress, and spelling hippopotamus backwards. A quart of oil goes down my arm/onto the driveway anyway. So I go to the tire place for oil change ($5 more than what I can do it for myself) and free rotation every 5k miles.
Side note: I got almost 90k out of a 70k set of tires that way, so yeah, I’m a believer!
 
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At the shop I work at we brand underhood with the filter number and type and amount of oil that we use.Sticker and a sharpie and stick under the hood.Easily removable if needed.
 
Most smartphones have a version of notepad. Mine is full of notes about oil filters, tire sizes, window dimensions, passwords and what have you. You never know when you'll be out by a yard sale or thrift store and there is something you can use, if it's just the right size.
 
I keep a large ziplock bag in the glove box with a heavy paper maitenance card with columns for date, milage, and what repair was done. Since most of the parts store only keep a record of a purchase for a year, receipts go inthe bag as well. It's a bonus if you sell the vehicle, buyers love to have maintenance proof.
I also have a note in my phone for each vehicle, it's handy when I'm in the store and have the part numbers in hand.
 
Chdamn said:
Simplest way? Look it up right now and type it up in the notes function on your phone.

F250
Oil: 15 qts T6 Rotella
Oil Filter:
Fuel Filter

Last changed: 210,500

Then just update the mileage when you change it.

I also put the wiper blade number and tire size in that note for each vehicle as well.

Edit. It would have the air filter number too but my truck runs a K&N filter.
Click to expand...

Specs on my 7.3 calls for 15 qts, but if you do it right and suck the quart out of the HPOP on top, it's 16 qts. FOUR GALLONS.
 
Both my cars use the same oil, and both (just by coincidence) use the same oddball combination of windshield wiper blades - 26" on the driver side, 16" on the passenger side - so those are easy to remember. I have a spreadsheet on my computer to track maintenance, and I've got all the part numbers on there. Also, both cars have a maintenance reminder for oil changes, so unless I forget to reset it, I get notified in time to buy what I need.
 
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