Adventures in Morocco: Opel Astra Oil Change and Prices in Agadir

A Moroccan Journey: Impressions of Agadir and an Opel Astra Oil Change

In this video, our traveler takes us on an interesting adventure through the streets of Agadir, Morocco, where he is about to change the oil on his trusty Opel Astra. This is the second oil change since his journey began, and he decides to share the entire process with his viewers – from buying the necessary parts to the change itself, performed right on the seashore.

The first stop is a car parts store. Our hero needs new oil, an oil filter, and an air filter. The day is cloudy and foggy, which he considers perfect weather for working on the car, as the sun isn't beating down. The temperature is a pleasant 24 degrees Celsius. The drive to the store gives us a glimpse of the traffic and road conditions in Morocco. It's noticeable that many roads lack lane markings, and drivers behave quite chaotically, not sticking to specific lanes. Despite this, accidents are rare as everyone is cautious and looks out for each other. Our traveler shares that he has already gotten used to this driving style and even allows himself to glance at his phone while driving, though he admits it's not exemplary behavior.

Upon arriving in the city, he faces the challenge of finding the right parts for his car. In Moroccan auto parts stores, things are done differently than what we're used to in Europe. They don't use computers and catalogs based on the vehicle's VIN. Instead, parts are looked up by car model, and sometimes a direct comparison with the old part is necessary. After some trial and error and with the help of a translator app, our hero manages to find the correct oil filter, air filter, and oil. The total cost is 500 dirhams, which is about 50 euros.

The next stop is the local market, or souk, where he looks for a 12-volt water pump to build a shower in his car. He notes that finding specific electronic components is difficult because, unlike in Europe, most goods are not imported from China. The market is colorful and fascinating – offering old TVs, computer motherboards, printers, and even second-hand PlayStation consoles.

After the market, it's time for grocery shopping at a large Carrefour supermarket. Here, our traveler shows us the prices of some basic food items and household goods, allowing viewers to compare them with prices in their home countries. For example, a three-pack of paper towels costs 80 dirhams, a kilogram of sugar is about 80 euro cents, and cooking oil ranges from 1.50 to 1.70 euros. He also notices that the motor oil he just bought for 35 euros is on sale at the supermarket for only 9 euros.

Oil Change on the Seashore

The most interesting part of the video is the oil change itself. Our hero has chosen a picturesque spot right by the sea. He shares some of the mistakes he made during his last oil change and offers useful tips. For instance, this time he lowers the car from the jack after loosening the drain plug to allow as much of the old oil as possible to drain out. He also places the spare tire under the car as a safety measure in case the jack fails.

During the process, he encounters a slight complication – the new oil filter looks a bit different from the old one. After a careful comparison, he determines that the hole on the new filter is wider and decides to reuse the old one after cleaning it. Finally, he pours in the new oil, carefully monitoring the level on the dipstick. His Opel Astra requires about 3.6 liters of oil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the specifics of driving in Morocco?

A: In Morocco, especially outside the big cities, road markings are often absent. Traffic is more chaotic, drivers don't always use turn signals, and lane changes can be abrupt. However, drivers are tolerant of each other and are mutually cautious, which leads to fewer accidents than one might expect.

Q: Is it expensive to maintain a car in Morocco?

A: The prices for car parts and consumables are comparable to those in Europe. In the video, the oil change, including the oil and air filters, costs about 50 euros. Interestingly, some products, like motor oil, can be found at significantly lower prices in large supermarkets compared to specialized auto parts stores.

Q: What are the food prices like in Morocco?

A: Prices in supermarkets are comparable to those in Bulgaria and other parts of Europe. For instance, 1 kg of sugar is about 80 euro cents, and a liter of cooking oil is between 1.50 and 1.70 euros. Some items, like paper towels, can be more expensive.

Q: Does the Opel Astra's engine burn oil?

A: There are often jokes about this in the comments on his videos, as Ecotec engines are known for their oil consumption. However, our traveler shares that his car burns very little oil and he doesn't need to top it up between changes, which he does every 10,000 km.