General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow are you guys handling car service / maintenance?
My procrastinating really got me into a bind. I should have scheduled an oil change back in January or February--at that time, my car was showing a 10% "oil life" alert? But I figured there'd be plenty of time to act once it reached 5%. Of course, things got super busy and now we're in a full blown pandemic.
I'm worried my car might shut down on me, but the thought of my car cabin being filled with covid19 particles is nauseating to me. Also, I'm not sure it can be fully disinfected without damaging the interior seating, etc.
mnhtnbb
(31,320 posts)this morning and they will return it. BMW dealer service.
My light is showing for April service and the passenger seat airbag light is on. I have to trust they will wipe everything down as they say they will. I live in a high rise apartment and the car is parked in a 4 level parking garage. I'm retired and sometimes don't drive the car for a week or more. Since March, it's usually 2 weeks. I got groceries yesterday.
I will wear a mask and gloves in the car for the few minutes it will take for me to return the car to the garage after they bring it back from servicing. Hopefully, it will sit for at least a week before I need it again. Maybe longer.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 30, 2020, 05:46 AM - Edit history (1)
My Pathfinder is due for its 90,000 mile service in about 400 more miles. The dealer sent me an e-mail reminder last week, and said they would pick up and deliver back to me.
I really want to get out and take some photos up around Mt. Shasta after the service. Lots of good places with no people, although Ill have to wait until our governor feels that its safe to loosen the restrictions.
LSFL
(1,109 posts)You can push the mileage quite alot. I don't see it shutting down on you. That percentage indicator is just a reminder to have your oil changed soon, it doesn't mean that the oil is bad.
Just check your oil and add some if needed.
Is there a drive through oil change in your area? You can stay in your car at them. Many are certified so they won't affect your warranty.
Hope this eases your mind.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)I used to go 25K miles without changing the oil in my '97 Acura on the regular... I started not really caring once it hit like 150K miles. I sold it at 325K miles and all that was wrong with it was the water pump went bad. Still the stock motor. The last 9 years it lived in Phoenix and drove 52 miles x 5 days a week. With oil changes like every 18 months.
Changing motor oil is WAY overrated. Your car is not going to shut down because the oil is old.
Now, if it leaks or burns a lot of oil ... that's a different matter
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)Full synthetic for last two cars, literally change every 50-60K, zero issues, ever. Oil changes are such a scam for MOST cars (some high-performance engines are different, but for what we all mostly drive? scam)
ecstatic
(32,567 posts)It's a 2019 acura with a little over 6,000 miles so hopefully I can avoid service for another few months.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)However, if it's going to stress you, there are mobile oil change people who will come to you, do it in your driveway or whatnot, and they don't even need to enter your car at all. They jack it up, scooch under it, do their thing, and go.
Then you just look up online how to reset the computer/counter/reminder thingie, it's not at all hard ... then you have peace of mind
ecstatic
(32,567 posts)Leasing, unfortunately, has been a guilty pleasure of mine for the past 10 years. I don't recall ever being asked to produce my records but I wonder if they're able to track somehow?
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Couldn't tell you the tracking system, if any as I've never leased.
You'd know more than me on that front
no_hypocrisy
(45,776 posts)Quick oil change, plus my mechanic can nip any problem in the bud so the car can still operate.
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)You dont have to get out of your car.
Just wear a mask and gloves as youll probably have to sign for your card or whatever.
dansolo
(5,376 posts)If your car is relatively new and you use synthetic oil, you can easily go much further than the recommended interval. If you start getting an alert, that is usually easy enough to turn off. Just look at your owners manual.
Marrah_Goodman
(1,586 posts)just to keep the battery up. I start it up once a week in the driveway. Talk about saving on gas!!!
You could bring lysol and spray the heck out of it before you get back in it after servicing.
Squinch
(50,774 posts)It is amazing how much worry it takes off the plate when you have a fair, honest mechanic.
samnsara
(17,570 posts)...i didnt even think about disinfecting it when i got in That was about 2 weeks ago. So far all ok. I would take a can of Lysol with you. The workers are probably thinking the same thing about every car they get in to.
2naSalit
(86,069 posts)Not those little wipe things, no cans of Lysol, no rubbing alcohol, nothing since the stores got cleaned out in the beginning of March.
samnsara
(17,570 posts)mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)most places nowadays are probably allowing it, for obvious reasons.
the only thing remaining is looking up online how to reset the indicator as that's normally another thing the techs get into your car to do.
personally i just wouldn't worry about it until this is all over (unless it's a lease in which case there is the contract to get the maintenance done at certain mileages).
2naSalit
(86,069 posts)once I get it home, I probably won't drive it for days. Probably have the windows open on the drive home, I live about 40 minutes from town.
ecstatic
(32,567 posts)When time permits, I'll look into some "stay in the car" service options.
2naSalit
(86,069 posts)it's an issue with my tires and it has to be dealt with asap. And I need an oil change. Not too worried, I bet they wipe it down or give me something to do it when I get it back. They wash it before they give it back so I am not too concerned. I have gloves and mask and will wear the gloves for the drive home.
mcar
(42,210 posts)We filled the tank around March 15 and still have a half tank left.