do you take your car to an instant oil change place?

[Roger Bray]

Hello everyone,
I've had my EM on the road for 12 years and I'm getting a bit lazy in my old age. I really don't get a thrill out of crawling under my car and changing the oil.
I'm considering taking it to one of the instant oil change places to have it done.
I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and what your experience was like.

your Cobra friend in Kentucky,
Roger

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Roger Bray

Hello everyone,
I'm considering taking it to one of the instant oil change places to have it done.
I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and what your experience was like.

your Cobra friend in Kentucky,
Roger

Uhhh - no. Or any other car I now or previously have owned. But, I understand your delima. Possibly a better solution would be a local service station that has someone that might actually qualify as a mechanic and does some service and minor repair work. Maybe even a Midas or local independent tire shop that does some other work on the side. I would just want to make sure they have drive on lift rather than to trust someone to place lift pads properly so as to not damage your frame by accident.

My impression of most quick service oil change places is that is where they place their least experienced people (i.e. mostly kids) - even large dealerships.

[AL427SBF]

There's also the question of "jiffylube" type places carrying your oil.
I've done it with my daily driver and some only allow use of their oils.

[Bill D]

Never!

[1795]

I would be real hesitant. I would go with Dan's advice and find a good quality mechanic to do the oil change. They would be less likely to screw things up and may be able to spot other issues while they are under the car.

[Mark Brye]

LOL No Way!

[NewYorkGuy]

sure, why not? Your kit car isn't more complicated than a modern car. Probably get more attention to detail if you bring in a Cobra replica than a Lexus.

[Sailfish]

I've used a quick change facility for almost 6 years and have had excellent results. I take my own oil and filter and they do the rest. They love checking out the car and really seem to go the extra mile to make sure everything is done well. As a footnote, try to find a shop that has a drive -in/drive-out bay. Try to avoid putting the car on a hoist or lift. Just one less thing to worry about.

[Luce]

Just make sure the punk puts more than the 4 quarts that he usually puts in small cars.

I think I would at least use a local independent repair shop you trust with your other cars. So far my oil changes have all involved removing the oil pan. I haven't changed oil in anything in 10 years. Used oil disposal is too big of a headache now that we don't just pour it along the rear fence line.

[Bartruff1]

Nope...I take mine to the Ford dealer ...

to the same mechanic who is certified by Ford and he not only does the oil changes he also checks the entire mechanical components , including the suspension, to insure everything is as it should be....

very cheap insurance for preventative maintenance and safe operation...

Given that the car is only driven a few thousand miles and only serviced once a year, the cost is incidental to trouble free use.

[mnm99]

Last time I took my truck to one of those when I left oil was dripping/running from the plug when I got home. The plug was stripped. I brought it back and the owner said I was the 3rd one today. He had an employee he just fired and did it on purpose to all the cars that came in that day. Had to re-tap a new plug. Just shows you what kind of people work there ( no offense to quick lube workers..LOL). So my answer is NO

[TN Shelby Cobra]

I do all my own repairs and oil changes. Mark

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

sure, why not? Your kit car isn't more complicated than a modern car. Probably get more attention to detail if you bring in a Cobra replica than a Lexus.

That's not the issue. They screw up predominately modern cars. Why should anyone think they will be more careful or attentive to your expensive classic or replica? Even large, new car dealerships and their quick lube change lanes are not immune to this. Do you think they put trained, experienced, higher paid, ASE certified mechanics to work changing oil and filters all day?

[patrickt]

If you don't have solid lifters, and you stand there while they do it, and you tell them it takes, say, eight quarts, then I don't see any problem doing that if you can't, or don't want to, do it yourself.

[jhv48]

When I worked in a dealership, they always put the newest, least experienced and youngest mechanic on the lube rack. Needless to say, we did have a few comebacks.

I take my family cars to the dealerships when I get their $29.95 oil change specials. My cars all hold 8 quarts, so this is cheaper than I could do it at home. I always check the oil level and for leaks when I get the car back, just in case.

I took my hemi jeep to a local service shop that had a $24.95 oil change special. I figured how hard is it to screw up an oil change. I told the writer that the hemi uses 5/20 oil and holds 8 quarts. When I got the car back, he had put 5 quarts of 10/30 oil. The check engine light came on immediately as the cylinder deactivation system won't work with the heavier weight oil. And it was 3 quarts low. Needless to say, he did another oil change and got it right that time.

But, nobody touches the cobra but me!

[buddyg]

Is there any special things to do for an oil change on an SPF with a 351? What does the solid lifters have to do with an oil change?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by buddyg

Is there any special things to do for an oil change on an SPF with a 351? What does the solid lifters have to do with an oil change?

Jiffy Lube will not have an oil in stock that has a high enough ZDDP for solid lifters -- I suppose you could take a case of oil there for them to use, but they might not like that. But to answer your question, all you do on an oil change with an SPF/351 is take the drain plug out, put it back in, unscrew the filter, put some oil in the new filter before you spin it back on, fill the crankcase up with oil, start it up and check for leaks. Same with an FE.

[buddyg]

Cool I thought it was pretty simple. What oil do you recommend?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by buddyg

Cool I thought it was pretty simple. What oil do you recommend?

There's a billion threads on that. For a hydro cam, I personally don't think it matters. Just use the weight that the builder recommends and don't go too heavy.

[ERA 778]

Good question! I always do my own, but what am I going to do when I get a few more years on me and can't get down on the floor to do it myself?

First thought: I'll get my much younger son to do it for me while I watch and carefully instruct him about every step. (After all, he thinks the Cobra is part of his inheritance.)

Other than that: I think I would take it to a full service garage I'm familiar and comfortable with and bring my own oil and filter.

If you are not doing the oil changes, you better find a garage you can trust for everything else, so when you do, use them for the oil changes. In fact, that might be a good, low risk way to begin developing a relationship; get them to do the oil changes and watch them. Make sure they are doing a quality job.