Dear Tom and Ray:

I finally had to try out one of those quickie-lube-type places you see on every corner. I've changed my own oil and filter for about 50 years, but a recent pinched nerve in the back brought this activity to a halt. The only good thing about it is the doctor told me not to wash windows either. Anyway, I bit the bullet and took my car to one of those places, I handed them a genuine Toyota filter and five quarts of oil, and they generously said they would give me $6 credit on the bill. After the car was in their garage, the attendant brought me my air cleaner, and insisted that it needed changing since it showed some dirt. After lots of talk, I finally convinced him that the filter was doing exactly what is was supposed to do, and that I had replaced it less than 10,000 miles ago. >From the waiting room, I could see my car through the glass door, and never saw any movement under the front where the filter is located on my Camry V6. Suddenly, I saw the attendant begin pouring oil into the engine. I went out and said, "Wait a minute. I want to see the old oil filter." When he asked the "underneath man" for it, the guy came forward, unscrewed the oil filter and put on the new one. They claim they always drain and change the oil, THEN change the filter. Frankly, I have never done it this way, and have never heard of this sequence. I think they were trying to pull a fast one. What do you think? -- Bill

Ray: I don't think they're trying to put one over on you, Bill. Of course, you'll never know now because you barged in too early. If you had waited until they said, "It's all set, sir," then you would have had 'em dead to rights.

Tom: The reason the rest of the civilized world changes the filter BEFORE refilling the crankcase with new oil is simple. When you're changing the oil, you put the car up on the lift (or get underneath it if your a screw-it-up-yourselfer). And while you're underneath the car, you drain out the old oil, and change the filter. Why? Because you're already under the car!

Ray: Then, when you take the car down off the lift, you have easy access to the engine, and you pour in the new oil.

Tom: But if you work like these guys, and you have an "on-top guy" and an "underneath guy," the order isn't very important. The filter can be changed before or after the new oil is added without doing any harm or contaminating the new oil in the crankcase.

Ray: Of course, there are other things you can watch for, Bill. If you see them put the new oil in before draining the old oil out, go ahead and barge right in.

* * *

Tom: Hey, do you think you're taking good care of your car? Are you sure?

Ray: If you're like many of our customers, you may be RUINING YOUR CAR WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT. Yes, even you! Find out how. Send for your copy of our informative pamphlet, "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!"

Tom: Send $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No.10 envelope to Ruin No.1, PO Box 6420, Riverton, NJ 08077-6420.

Everybody wants a new car. But from a purely financial point of view, there is no question that buying a used car is always cheaper, even in the long run. To learn more, order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1997 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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