[Gregory]

[Gregory]

Even the online parts houses are discovering that videos explaining how to fix things is good for business. http://www.ereplacementparts.com/articles-c-8873.html

[Deereguy]

In the day, we fixed everything cars, tractors, wash machines, built houses, roofing, logging, electronics everything. City people would say you could have done it cheaper by having it fix by a pro. That may be true, in some cases, but what they failed to understand, was the personal satisfaction of being able to do it yourself. Also, when a calamity hits, no big deal in a few hours you could have the roof back on, plumbing fixed, car running, wash machine back in operation, well pumping again. Self sufficiency riches the soul and pocketbook. Too bad, we don't teach these basic skill in schools.

[wolffie]

There is this concept of "Appropriate Technology". Basically, it means recognizing all of the costs of owning something. When you ask, "What does it cost?" you ask, "what does it really cost?" Is it worth having? Is it worth making? Who made it? Do I understand it? Can I repair it? What happens when I'm done with it? What if everybody had one? Is it sustainable? Can it benefit everybody, or is it available only to the elite? One of the instructive things about backpacking is that you have to trim your possessions and evaluate their cost (in weight and money), and you can't afford too many vanities. E.F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful Sahlins, Stone Age Economics Gerry Mander, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television

[Cyclopath]

The other day I got a flat tire on my bike, 15 miles from home. It was cold. Of course I fixed it myself. Moving was keeping me warm. I have a couple of point-and-shoot cameras that in the line of duty. A couple of them have sand in the lens mechanism. The repair shop quoted me $350 to fix it but that's twice what the camera cost new.

[jared_j]

I hope I'm not as much of a downer when I get as old as some of the posters in this thread.

[NacMacFeegle]

I come from a very nerdy family, I and most of my siblings have embarked on many haphazard DIY projects from home-built computers to potato canons and goat sheds. However, we are far from your typical modern young people, most of the youth of today haven't had the opportunity to grow up home-schooled on a farm!

[Bedivere]

[Ranger Smith]

IMO it is sad that most "younger" folks cannot fix things nor have the thought process of even how to fix things. What is even worse is that most people don't / can't change the oil in their vehicles.

[whitebark]

[tigermn]

I used to change my own oil years ago. I finally quit as it just wasn't worth saving $20-$30 to have to get under the car (in most cases needing to use jack stands or ramps) to get it high enough to be able to fuss around with the drain plug etc, remove the filter and have it dump oil all over the place, not to mention what to do with the old oil and getting it all caught without making a mess. It has nothing to do with not being able to do it. I just chose not too. Now I'm reconsidering. With something like A fumuto valve it can be a lot easier. My biggest problem with having someone do my oil changes now is I don't trust the flunkies doing it. You end up with who knows what kind of oil, not to mention they often either underfill or overfill. Oh yea and they often strip out the drain plug/oil pan. Just had this happen on our 2008 CRV. They had to put in some kind of repair kit as we had a slow oil drop leak from the screw which they obviously messed up as I have never change the oil in that vehicle. Other than that.. No problem right with a "professional" doing the job. I still don't know if it's worth the hassles. I guess I'll see how easy it might be on my new Outback when I get it. On the 2.5 engines the oil filter is right in the engine compartment and real easy. I think the 3.6R it is underneath. Dunno how much crap you might have to take off to get it out etc. At least the higher clearance should help.

[Gregory]

I was probably ten years old when my father decided theat My list of chores was not big enough and changing the oil on the family car and truck was my responsibility.That is the difference between now and then. I would like to know how people are changing oil cheaper than the dealers these days.Ford will do my truck for twenty nine ninety nine.Cost me just about forty to do myself. That said I change it myself.They were not even pulling my dipstick during the changes,They would dump the oil,pump new in and out the door.I kept noticing the level was a little low after they would change it so I gave it to them with the dipstick taped down.Came back taped down and pushing a half quart low, days before a trip to Texas.I love my truck but am yet to deal with a dealer worth a shiatt.

[Gregory]

[Gregory]

[jared_j]

Principal Skinner on the subject.