Changing Your Own Oil

[Brother Adam]

Okay, so I think I have it figured out how to change the oil in my own car, instead of paying a place $40.00 to do it, the only question is, how do I dispose of the oil myself. obviously it can't go down the drain or in a river, so where do I take it to have it disposed of?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1912721' date='Jul 6 2009, 12:35 PM']Okay, so I think I have it figured out how to change the oil in my own car, instead of paying a place $40.00 to do it, the only question is, how do I dispose of the oil myself. obviously it can't go down the drain or in a river, so where do I take it to have it disposed of?[/quote]
Pour it into the gutter, but only do it when no one is watching.

[Christie_M]

i usually take it down to a mechanic/auto shop and give them about $5 to take care of it. there's also a place near the beach that is a recycling center for used oil (i'm not exactly sure you're that close to it. )

[StColette]

[quote name='Christie_M' post='1912731' date='Jul 6 2009, 02:46 PM']i usually take it down to a mechanic/auto shop and give them about $5 to take care of it. there's also a place near the beach that is a recycling center for used oil (i'm not exactly sure you're that close to it. )[/quote]


Yeah lots of mechanic shops, especially mom and pop ones, will recycle it for you for a low fee. And our recycling center has an area for used oil as well. .

[LouisvilleFan]

AutoZone will let you pour it in their recycle bin in the back room for free. Buy the new oil there and change it in their parking lot: done in one trip.

I used to change my own oil, but it was often so physically difficult. The oil fiddler was in the most awkward position that could only be accessed at a particular angle, and if I ever had someone else change it, the fiddler was screwed on so tight it might be impossible to remove by hand. So that's one thing I don't mind paying for, even though I'd rather do it myself if it was easier.

Edited July 6, 2009 by LouisvilleFan

[Didacus]

I just burn the stuff in my own yard.

Then again, my nieghbor is bear, and he doesn't complain much.

[Brother Adam]

Thanks for the heads up. I went ahead and dumped it in the gutter.

[StColette]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1912749' date='Jul 6 2009, 03:11 PM']I went ahead and dumped it in the gutter.[/quote]

[Brother Adam]

But Todd told me too.

[StColette]

Not sure if these recycling centers are near you, Adam, but I believe some of them take used oil

[url="http://www.co.livingston.mi.us/SolidWaste/wastereduction2a.asp?subject=Recycling+Centers+"]http://www.co.livingston.mi.us/SolidWaste/...ycling+Centers+[/url]

Motor Oil Recycling Centers

[url="http://www.co.livingston.mi.us/SolidWaste/hhwOilRecyclers.htm"]http://www.co.livingston.mi.us/SolidWaste/...ilRecyclers.htm[/url]

[philothea]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1912725' date='Jul 6 2009, 02:39 PM']Pour it into the gutter, but only do it when no one is watching.

[/quote]


I hope you're kidding. That stuff is super toxic. Storm sewers generally drain into local waterways -- in other words YOUR local water supply.

Either take it to AutoZone or burn it. ("Recycling" just means they sell it as cheap heating oil. It's going to be burned.)

[morostheos]

It's not a good idea to burn it on your own. When you burn oil on your own instead of it being used for a boiler the burn is not as clean and produces a lot more pollutants. Back yard burning of oil and other wastes is actually a significant contributor for several air pollutants.

[ReinnieR]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1912721' date='Jul 6 2009, 03:35 PM']Okay, so I think I have it figured out how to change the oil in my own car, instead of paying a place $40.00 to do it, the only question is, how do I dispose of the oil myself. obviously it can't go down the drain or in a river, so where do I take it to have it disposed of?[/quote]
autozone

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1912749' date='Jul 6 2009, 02:11 PM']Thanks for the heads up. I went ahead and dumped it in the gutter.[/quote]
I hope you get caught doing that someday. You've just endangered the lives of people AND animals. Dumb move.

[kamiller42]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1912721' date='Jul 6 2009, 02:35 PM']Okay, so I think I have it figured out how to change the oil in my own car, instead of paying a place $40.00 to do it, the only question is, how do I dispose of the oil myself. obviously it can't go down the drain or in a river, so where do I take it to have it disposed of?[/quote]
I used to go to Walmart and buy their unadvertised "bring your own oil" deal. You bring your own oil, pay them $10 for labor, and you're done. Now you can't walk away without spending $30. Ouch. The Goodyear place next door advertises $22 changes. Sometimes I do that or get a package deal with a local car wash. $34 for oil change and a good cleaning.

When I did the changes myself, I would dispose for free at AutoZone. The other auto parts dealers, Pep Boys and O'Reilly, might offer a similar service.