Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ecstatic

(32,567 posts)
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:51 AM Apr 2020

How 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.

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How are you guys handling car service / maintenance? (Original Post) ecstatic Apr 2020 OP
My car is being picked up by the service department mnhtnbb Apr 2020 #1
We do it that way as well. Adsos Letter Apr 2020 #4
If you use a synthetic oil LSFL Apr 2020 #2
Are you joking? You are in absolutely no sort of a bind (unless it's a lease a'course). mr_lebowski Apr 2020 #3
this obamanut2012 Apr 2020 #10
OK, thanks. I made up my mind. I'm not going. ecstatic Apr 2020 #16
You're totally golden as long as you're not on a lease that requires it be done ... mr_lebowski Apr 2020 #20
Do they have a way of knowing? ecstatic Apr 2020 #21
I don't know actually I just know that there often are such requirements with car leases ... mr_lebowski Apr 2020 #22
I still go to my Midas franchise. no_hypocrisy Apr 2020 #5
Go to a Valvoline RhodeIslandOne Apr 2020 #6
How many miles is the oil change interval? dansolo Apr 2020 #7
I've driven my car once in almost two months Marrah_Goodman Apr 2020 #8
My beloved mechanic is still open with a small crew. Thank God! Squinch Apr 2020 #9
i had to take my car in as a window wouldnt work... i left it there and picked it up the next day. samnsara Apr 2020 #11
I haven't been able to find disinfectant since early March! 2naSalit Apr 2020 #14
just stay in the car and drive it over the pit yourself... samnsara Apr 2020 #12
right ... s/he may want to call around and see which places will let you do it mr_lebowski Apr 2020 #15
Taking mine in Tuesday... 2naSalit Apr 2020 #13
Good luck! I've decided not to go. ecstatic Apr 2020 #18
I have to go 2naSalit Apr 2020 #19
Who's driving? mcar Apr 2020 #17

mnhtnbb

(31,320 posts)
1. My car is being picked up by the service department
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 04:22 AM
Apr 2020

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)
4. We do it that way as well.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 05:13 AM
Apr 2020

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 I’ll have to wait until our governor feels that it’s safe to loosen the restrictions.

LSFL

(1,109 posts)
2. If you use a synthetic oil
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 04:26 AM
Apr 2020

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)
3. Are you joking? You are in absolutely no sort of a bind (unless it's a lease a'course).
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 04:30 AM
Apr 2020

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)
10. this
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 07:53 AM
Apr 2020

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)
16. OK, thanks. I made up my mind. I'm not going.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 09:25 PM
Apr 2020

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)
20. You're totally golden as long as you're not on a lease that requires it be done ...
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 10:23 PM
Apr 2020

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)
21. Do they have a way of knowing?
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 10:34 PM
Apr 2020

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)
22. I don't know actually I just know that there often are such requirements with car leases ...
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 10:37 PM
Apr 2020

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)
5. I still go to my Midas franchise.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 05:17 AM
Apr 2020

Quick oil change, plus my mechanic can nip any problem in the bud so the car can still operate.

 

RhodeIslandOne

(5,042 posts)
6. Go to a Valvoline
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 05:22 AM
Apr 2020

You don’t have to get out of your car.

Just wear a mask and gloves as you’ll probably have to sign for your card or whatever.

dansolo

(5,376 posts)
7. How many miles is the oil change interval?
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:36 AM
Apr 2020

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)
8. I've driven my car once in almost two months
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:53 AM
Apr 2020

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)
9. My beloved mechanic is still open with a small crew. Thank God!
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 07:28 AM
Apr 2020

It is amazing how much worry it takes off the plate when you have a fair, honest mechanic.

samnsara

(17,570 posts)
11. i had to take my car in as a window wouldnt work... i left it there and picked it up the next day.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 08:22 AM
Apr 2020

...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)
14. I haven't been able to find disinfectant since early March!
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 08:27 AM
Apr 2020

Not those little wipe things, no cans of Lysol, no rubbing alcohol, nothing since the stores got cleaned out in the beginning of March.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
15. right ... s/he may want to call around and see which places will let you do it
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 11:28 AM
Apr 2020

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)
13. Taking mine in Tuesday...
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 08:24 AM
Apr 2020

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)
18. Good luck! I've decided not to go.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 09:28 PM
Apr 2020

When time permits, I'll look into some "stay in the car" service options.

2naSalit

(86,069 posts)
19. I have to go
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 09:53 PM
Apr 2020

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.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»How are you guys handling...