Just my 2 cents:
Is it really worth changing your own oil anymore? By the time one purchases oil, filter, jacks car, etc...the money you save, you waste in time...Just coming from an economics perspective...Up here, oil changes can be completed for less than $100 CAD at an indy shop...most indys' change oil for about $80-100...

I see this dogmatic advice a lot... dont go under a car that- if it fell- would kill you. An X5 with 4 tires on the axles would prolly not kill you. Sometimes I will slide a tire/wheel under, or other block, or a jackstand just anywhere to create 'survivable space' in the event of a sudden jack failure... I guess my calculus is broken bones OK, death not.....

My time is worth way more. If I can change it in my garage after dinner, 20 minutes while the dishes get cleared, that is SO much easier than taking a hour plus out of my life to go somewhere...never mind stripping fill bolts, etc

I guess I am just lazier and would rather take it in to save time! However, I agree with you, my time is worth way more...

My point is that doing it myself actually saves time! :thumbup:

Proper oil disposal is to be considered. However, I deal with it, because I still would rather do it myself.

Last time (the only time) I did it, i splashed some oil over me and the driveway... then, i had to worry about the oil disposal, and haul old oil in the back of the car to the nearest AutoZone... all of that aggravation was not worth saving $20 - my time is more valuable, i'd rather pay somebody $20 for an hour of their work, instead of all the hassle i have to endure...

doing wires, installing cameras, mikes, charging circuits, on the other hand, is so much more fun!!! :)

That was my point Ard:thumbup:

However, I do understand both perspectives