Mini Pep Boys Rant

[Brentbba]

Ok, so changed my oil this past weekend. My girl hit 240,000 and I've been changing the oil religiously every 5K for years now (FSM and owners manual for a '94 says 7500). Still run OEM recommended 10w30 and I use Pennzoil High Mileage.

Went to drop off 8 quarts of used oil and filter at a local Pep Boys last night as they are on my way home from work. They are listed on the CA Used Oil drop off locations.

They refused to take it on the lame excuse that they 'needed' the room in their waste container for their own needs because their next pick up wasn't until Friday. Right... At least the guy looked up other drop off locations nearby, closer than an O'Reilly's I knew of. Fortunately, right on the way home from Pep Boys there's both a Big O Tire and a Sniffy Lube. Big O took the oil and filter no problem.

Ok - mini rant off.

I couldn't use the line that I'd bought fresh oil at Pep Boys because I didn't! They are expensive. Wally World (WalMart) usually has the cheapest price on oil. Five quart jugs run $17.50 ish. Single quarts are $4.47 there.

 

[NLXTACY]

Used oil collection centers (I.e. Poop Boys, Stiffy Lube, et all) are required to collect used oil regardless of where it was purchased. That being said, yeah maybe their containment system was nearly full. Hey at least they sent you to another spot.

 

[Brentbba]

Joey - yea, the guy at Pep Boys helping was nice in that regard. That's why I said mini rant. Gave me a few more options close to home even if I am getting to old and crotchety to do my own oil much longer. The place I used to go to (now O'Reilly's) closed when they remodeled the strip center they were in. Friend of mine from scouting had been the manager there.

Besides - it's been quiet in our little section so we need something to about.

 

[sdnative]

I don't see the issue?

Oh, I get it, you just want something to talk about

 

[OG 91 LC]

Do you want some wine?

And yeah. It's been quiet here. Let's cruise.

 

[1FZj80]

Yeah, life's a bitch...
Last time I dropped off oil I was told it must be is an approved "recycle container". This is a container that is no different than metal or plastic container I normally use, but it has a recycle label molded into the side. I can't figure out the reason for this??? but kinda sucks to have to buy new containers that do the same thing as the ones I have

 

[Dragos80]

I assume you don't have your own back yard.

 

[Dan2722]

I hear that your old oil is a great fertilizer for those nice synthetic lawns. Next time take it out and dump it on your purty putting green.

 

[Brentbba]

Yeah, life's a bitch...
Last time I dropped off oil I was told it must be is an approved "recycle container". This is a container that is no different than metal or plastic container I normally use, but it has a recycle label molded into the side. I can't figure out the reason for this??? but kinda sucks to have to buy new containers that do the same thing as the ones I have

Never heard of that one! Long time ago one place insisted that I must leave the container with them. I was using a sealable drain pan, so no way was I leaving it. Ended up draining the used oil into two old gallon milk jugs to drop off. Still using a sealable drain pan and it's accepted now. I don't think it's got the recycle label on it tho! It is plastic.

 

[sdnative]

I use a 5 gal Homer bucket to store my used oil, and take it down to the parts store when it's 3/4 full (any fuller and it's impossible to pour and not make a mess). Never had anyone question it, although they make me dump it into the tank myself. I even had someone comment that it was the cleanest oil container they had seen.

 

[Brentbba]

Even with your truck lifted the way it is, does the Homer bucket fit under the oil pan or do you use ramps to get it up high enough? I just have a cheap Wally World drain pan. It's not real big, so draining 8 quarts of oil, I need to take it to a recycle center after every oil change. At least with Homer, you can get two changes in before making a recycle trip.

Wally World pan has a plastic grate over the large opening to drain the oil. Thls last time, the oil hit one of the cross bars on the damn grate and splattered all over before I could adjust the pan! Will not use that silly grate any longer. First time that happened. Luck I guess!!

 

[sdnative]

I use a low profile 10ish quart pan under the truck and then dump the oil into the bucket. I like the homer bucket because the lid snaps on nice and tight.

 

[Rallyroo]

I wait for a Household Hazardous Waste collection day and drop off all the oil then. Drive up to collection site, people pull all the hazardous waste out from the trunk, drive away. Done. Oils, batteries, light bulbs, chemicals, electronic waste, etc all in one trip.

Going to Pep Boys or O'reilly's would require me to carry the oil from the parking lot into the store and pour the bottles of used oil into their barrel. Then dispose of the bottles.

So yeah, Household Hazardous Waste collection days save me time.

 

[sdnative]

I have used oil disposal figured out. The challenge for me has been disposing of used coolant.

 

[Brentbba]

I wait for a Household Hazardous Waste collection day and drop off all the oil then. Drive up to collection site, people pull all the hazardous waste out from the trunk, drive away. Done. Oils, batteries, light bulbs, chemicals, electronic waste, etc all in one trip.

Going to Pep Boys or O'reilly's would require me to carry the oil from the parking lot into the store and pour the bottles of used oil into their barrel. Then dispose of the bottles.

So yeah, Household Hazardous Waste collection days save me time.

Hazardous Waste collection is fine if you are saving and can drop off the used oil, coolant, old paint, etc. in a container you must leave with them. That doesn't work with a reusable oil drain pan, etc. I want that back and they won't just go dump it and give you the container back. It's great for dropping off old TV's, monitors, paint, etc. but I won't use them for old oil as it's more of a pain to transfer the old oil to containers I'm willing to leave there.