I'm sure with you on the last sentence Resist. That it is mostly not done is a function of how cars are sold and serviced. At least that's what I think.

As far as the oil change thing, another part of my thinking is that when I am ready to sell in 20 months or so I believe the car buying public will still be largely ignorant and wary of hybrids because of all of the negative hype, still happening even today. So, my logic is to not add any reasons (real or imagined) to limit potential buyers, whether private or dealer.

Anyway, here's to both of us having long success with our respective methods.

 

Understood but....how would your logic limit a potential buyer? When a customer buys a used car at a dealership do you think they get to see the full history of service? A dealership can only show them what they or another dealership did. I doubt by not having this information it would limit the sale. Hybrids are pretty main stream now, at least in my area, so consumers aren't afraid of the technology.

I have always been straight up about my vehicles service history to potential buyers. And they know by the vehicles appearance that I am telling the truth. I take care of my things and it shows. I'd be leary of a vehicle with a dirty engine bay, no matter what the service history shows.

 

A friend of mine bought a Saab yesterday and said that he went back and forth with the dealer, they dealer asked for a higher number than he asked for and he told the dealer he'd do it if all maintenance like oil changes etc was free for the lifetime of the vehicle. The dealer agreed. I was surprised that was something you could ask for and others in the room said they do the same thing when they buy a car, they wouldn't buy one without the free service. I wish I'd been aware of it when I bought my Prius, although driving to the far off place I went to to get a low price on this would not be pleasant to do routinely.

 

Considering usually the only mainenance is an oil change or trans fluid, it is very inexpensive for a dealership to do. Don't be fooled by the list of items they say is checked....it isn't. Also any dealership can makes lifetime deals but when they go under, you are stuck without the deal. The manufacture will not cover the deal.

 

http://www.nbc4.tv/mechanicinvestigation/index.html

 

I know that mechanics have been doing this for a long time. The problem is you can not prove that they did not do the repair on your vehicle especially when it is a fuel filter that you need to move the gas tank in order to change/check. It would come to a great cost of the customer to verify the work was done. One would be able to get reimbursed by the company that claimed to have done the work if it wasn't accomplished, but if they did do the work you would be wasting your time & money.

Aside from mounting an undercarriage surveillance system or doing most of the "easy" work yourself, us as unschooled DIY people can't do all the work on today’s cars. I have changed my brakes, Oil, replaced tires, replaced a set of bolts that attach the rim to the wheel, installed tweeters (didn't look good) all of witch I had no Idea how to do. I was able to do this because the Military provides you with a garage with full staff of certified mechanics that teach/show you how to do the work and they also have most of the tools needed for check out.

I would be very pleased if garages would provide this type of service. With full access to their tools witch are inventoried and a skilled mechanic to show you what needs to be done. I love having access to a lift for 2 dollars an hour it is one of the best things for teaching someone about vehicles, aside from going to college.

I don't trust mechanics with my car anymore because I know I can do all the "easy" maintenance work on my cars provided I have a Lift, the tools, and answers to a few questions I will have.

Mac.

EDIT:
"Easy" to me may be complicated for others so I am speaking hypothetically.

 

Agreed! Unless a person has one of those vehicles that is hard to access the oil filter, save yourself some money and time by doing your own oil changes.

 

I did a quick search on what a Fumoto valve was and it is a very smart design http://www.lubricationspecialist.com...FRlGSAod9BQnFA I will be getting one for my car and would recommend it to any one that changes their own oil.
The only problem I could see is, it would be very easy to sabotage some one if the saboteur knows about you Futomo valve.

 

I have thought about this valve before but decided against it as it would be to easy to run over something and then have it break open. This is one reason why the auto industry never incorporated something like this before. It is just as easy for me to turn a wrench and take off a bolt than it is to use this valve.

 

It gets worse... ever since this oil change, when I turn the car on "Maint Required" blinks for 7 seconds until the gas engine begins warmup. The light stays off for the rest of the ride, but comes back on consistently every time I start the car until battery-only operation ends.

Argh.

Bob, thanks for the curb suggestion, that might not be so tough to do. Is the Fumoto Valve something you install just once then, or is it a problem to drive around with?

Resist, how large and heavy are those Rhino ramps? Is it something I could store easily in an apartment and stroll out to a low-use section of the 5mph street in my complex with? Or is it something pretty massive and heavy?