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Hahahaha...
Normal cost for me to buy the filter and oil is about $50 then I'd have to drive about same amount of miles as it is to my dealership to drop off the used oil for recycling.
My dealer charges me $55.94 (also included tire pressure check) while I set in the temperature-controlled waiting area drinking their Keurig coffee (multiple flavors) and eating their pastries and using their wi-fi.
They know me well and they make sure everything is as clean as it was when it came in.
I have zero complaints with them, being they are also a motorcycle dealership I've had many good years with them and they with me.
Waiting on 2 of these Castrol filters from Amazon. Next weeks project.
The two Mazda Dealers in my area use bulk oil. Never sure what brand they use as they change suppliers from time to time. Sometimes they say its Mobile One, or Castrol, or Preferred Choice. I used them for first couple of changes.
I just don't trust the dealers oil change crew. Probably not their top-tier technicians. Never know if they put in the correct oil, over fill/under fill oil, over tighten/under tghten filter, drain pan nut. I have been changing oil on my vehicles for over 55 yrs.
So for peace of mind I will continue until I can't. At 78, I still enjoy doing it myself.
Waiting on 2 of these Castrol filters from Amazon. Next weeks project.
The two Mazda Dealers in my area use bulk oil. Never sure what brand they use as they change suppliers from time to time. Sometimes they say its Mobile One, or Castrol, or Preferred Choice. I used them for first couple of changes.
I just don't trust the dealers oil change crew. Probably not their top-tier technicians. Never know if they put in the correct oil, over fill/under fill oil, over tighten/under tighten filter, drain pan nut. I have been changing oil on my vehicles for over 55 yrs.
So for peace of mind I will continue until I can't. At 78, I still enjoy doing it myself.
It is always good to read member still doing their own oil and filter service!
I really have never read or personally know any dealership that uses an "Automotive technician" to change engine oil and filter? Not to say that there maybe one dealer that does but generally a certified Technician is several steps above the normal income level, and they are not used for that service. Which is why there are often posted mistakes de from service work of this kind.
So for peace of mind I will continue until I can't. At 78, I still enjoy doing it myself.
Good for you.
I'm 70 and I retried at 65 and had to give up my two favorite things my motorcycles and fishing in my boat because of severe back issues.
Issues that will eventually no longer allow me to stand upright, hopefully I'll kick the bucket before I reach that stage.
That means changing my own oil is out of the question now and I'll be calling AAA when I get a flat tire.
My local dealer employees only well-trained well-paid techs most of whom have been with him for years.
While they each have their own "specialties" they are a team, and everyone is expected to do everything from oil and tire changes to brake and engine diagnostics.
Thats the way I ran my production crews in my business fields which meant anyone could fill in for anyone else when needed.
Even the quick-change oil shop I used to go to here is different. They always carry the same bulk oil brands, and you can set and watch the techs do the job.
They actually show you the new and old filters and crush washers if applicable.
My state has low population (1.3 million) with the oldest average age of any state. If you screw up a business here, everyone in the state knows it.
Suffice to say if you don't do a good or great job you don't stay in business long.
After running the Castrol Oil filter and the oil analysis shows nothing different then using Mazda oil filter or the K&N. They all filtered the and had close to the same results. To save long debates, oil analysis is pretty much the way to support any theories about how well an oil filter works. In my case I would have no problem to use a Castrol oil filter in the future on my Mazda. Its as simple as that for me. So if "The price is right" I will buy them and use 'um!
For those that may have noticed. I did paint the lower section of the Castrol oil filter with textured paint as I occasionally do to my personal oil filters to make it easier to hand install and to remove them.
My state has low population (1.3 million) with the oldest average age of any state. If you screw up a business here, everyone in the state knows it.
Suffice to say if you don't do a good or great job you don't stay in business long.
The "chain" shop in Norway ME that botched a job and delayed my return to Wilmington NC which caused my wife to prepare for a hurricane with a friend of hers instead of my doing it and then my driving into a landfalling hurricane (2022) was just as busy as ever when I drove past it today in 2024. I will give a shout out to "Dr Rob's Garage" in Oxford/Mechanic Falls ME though as they've done a competent job on our vehicles so far. Stopped by there today to say Hi and get a quote on a windshield for my wife's car since a semi tossed a rock at me on I-95 near the NC/VA border last week.
OMG while I like that the response was positive that video was so unscientific in so many ways. ROLMAO. OMG that is one of the better totally joke DIY oil filter comparison I have seen in a long time? LOL
I had to watch it twice for the comic value........
The "chain" shop in Norway ME that botched a job and delayed my return to Wilmington NC which caused my wife to prepare for a hurricane with a friend of hers instead of my doing it and then my driving into a landfalling hurricane (2022) was just as busy as ever when I drove past it today in 2024. I will give a shout out to "Dr Rob's Garage" in Oxford/Mechanic Falls ME though as they've done a competent job on our vehicles so far. Stopped by there today to say Hi and get a quote on a windshield for my wife's car since a semi tossed a rock at me on I-95 near the NC/VA border last week.
Chain shops are a whole different category.
And Norway Maine, like most Maine towns, is off the beaten path.
Rural Maine is mostly poor, meaning there are many DIY and cut-rate chain shops where employee turnover is extremely high (much like the employees).
Eagerly awaiting your "expert" evaluation of oil filters.
Thats right and very few on any forum have the same level of expertise as I do based on how many shops I have worked at and personally owned selling oil filters since 1977ish.
Also, I have an account both personal as well business related with Black Stone Oil labs with well over 200 oil analysis results, I requested since about 1995 ish
And I still have at least 3-4 accounts with a few of the bellow oil manufacturing and distributors of them posted below.
And that my friend is simple request to post for you .... buy top brand name oil filters. Do your research to determine if you need (truly) any other type of filter they offer above the standard recommended filter for your engine. In other words, there is very few Dailey drivers that need any of the advance oil filters offered by any oil filter company.
The oil filter companies I recommend that all consider using based on my over thousands sold and never had a failed unit returned to me or the manufacture for a warranty problem confirmed to be the oil filter.
Not necessarily in order of anything except the ones I have personal used and sold .....
FRAM
K&N
WIX
Mann Mazda
Castrol
AMZOIL
AC Delco
FORD/Motorcraft Mobil 1
BOSCH
Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.
There are so many postings and articles about what filters are good and better than others yet when you look who did the articles, they are not even ASE or automotive engineers. Nor do they reference actual controlled testing using equipment designed for the task to actually measure and also post realistic filtering information on an engine operated in a less then controlled environment or conditions as the test that were conducted.
The marketing companies of the better filters pay them well for how they advertise their products.
My Caution would be to NEVER use a generic brand oil filter on your engine. NEVER have one installed at a quick oil change shop or general service shop. This invites possible issues that could happen.
ASE The filters in bold printing and blue are current ones I use and keep stocked in my personal garage for my use.
Castrol Oil Filters
