Service myself or have it done at a truckstop?

I do my own oil changes/greasing and save at least $100 every time. It's a CAT motor and I send off an oil sample to CAT every time I do it somewhere between 10,000 and no more than 12,500 miles. The sample kit from CAT cost about $12. It contains a small plastic bottle. Run the motor up to operating temp. Pull the plug and let about 5 seconds worth drain then hold the bottle under and grab your sample. Fill out the info on the sticker, slap it on the bottle, drop it in the prepaid envelope and USPS sends it to their lab. Results in a week or two via email. This is really all the documentation you need that the oil is regularly changed. But you can support it with receipts for filters and oil which in my case I buy in bulk every 2 or 3 years. No-one will deny you warranty from that. The samples cover my warranty on a CAT platinum inframe that's 4 years unlimited miles.

In a hustle I can change the oil, grease the truck and trailer in a hour and a half in my driveway. Most times it takes 3 to 4 hours checking brake adjustment also and taking my time. I wipe dirt and grit off the grease zerks before greasing each one. Service shops just shoot grease in with grit. Some fittings should never be greased with an air grease gun - hand pump grease gun only - sector shaft, throwout bearing, and IMO u-joints - but always will be in a service shop. My buddy always has his W9 serviced somewhere. He knows his rear bushings are gone completely but in 2 years time only once has a service shop brought it to his attention. I know what my truck is like I get under it every week. So $100 saved every service and no surprises. Definitely DIY easiest job you can do and save money.

 

my routine also. have a pair of coveralls for the job. did one just yesterday. found a coolant leak while servicing. still can't get rid of the slight body aches after I'm done crawling under truck/trailer.

 

The title to this thread could have easily led us down a completely different/sleazier path.............

 

Same here and I ain't even 40 yet haha!

 

yes piece of mind is worth getting under the trk every week and looking at everything. I also do my own services, as well as most major/minor repairs, i'm very anal about my equipment it's either my way or no way. Yes do the oil samples and buy bulk oil and filters. Will not void warranty. You have proof with the oil samples and receipts

 

Proof of service is easy, as said above the receipts from the filter and fluids are enough, plus you need to document it in the vehicle maintenance file so that will support your warranty claim. As for the post earlier about dealing with the waste fluids and the EPA, yes they can be tough, and yes, you do have cradle to grave responsibility for the waste generated, but you can take the waste to any oil retailer and they are required to accept it and give you a receipt for the gallons dropped off which will cover you if the EPA ever came looking for your waste disposal paper trail. I burn my waste oil to heat my shop in a multi fuel furnace, it runs on diesel when I do not have enough waste oil.

In addition to knowing exactly what is being done to your truck and what is going on with it, which is very important if you are not the driver, no matter how good you know or like your driver at the end of the day it is not their truck and they will not take care of it like an owner will. Also, it gives you a great feeling of accomplishment when you find and fix something or learn something new about your equipment and a new skill. But, if you are not mechanically inclined and willing to get dirty and do the services right, don't bother, you will be better of with a truck stop flunkie doing it for you.

 

Another popular option is get oil changes done at shop but you do the weekly grease .. Less mess to deal with and you still get to keep a eye on running condition of truck while you're at it check air pressures on tires maybe wash it as well to save on truck stop washes a bit over a hr a week and you've saved some coin

 

Cahnge your APU 2 times a year,,spring and fall,as for your truck engine,,doing it your self you will only save a couple hundred dollars a year unless you use synthetic, problem changing your own is the hassel dealing with 11 gallons of waste oil,, do the truckstop changes and watch them closely and check their work when done,,
If you decide to do your own changes find an oil distributor and buy 55 gal drums of oil,, buy all your lubes in bulk,,5gal 20 gal or 55gal
30 years ago 55 gal of Shell Rotella was $160 a drum,,,Iback then I did my changes,,by 1989 I went to truckstops for changes,,

 

I'm a big believer in DIY if you are able.........doing oil analysis at each change easily provides the documentation some people are so worried about. To me; servicing a truck is part of owning one.