Oil analysis: shipping with USPS

[RSG]

I bought a handful of postage-paid oil analysis kits from Blackstone Labs out of Indiana. They have a useful site including a letter to the post office advising that oil samples aren't hazardous material. I grabbed a sample this weekend at the 65k oil change (shore do like the drain valve I put into the pan!), packed in the neat plastic ziplock and exterior bottle with mailing label, and placed in the old mailbox, flag up.

My carrier has refused to pick it up twice, once without, and once with the letter from Blackstone attached. Seems they know what hazardous materials is, and that is that.

Any advice? I plan to conduct this a few times a year so need to figure out how to convince them. Is the postmaster the point of contact in a case like this? Thanks in advance for ideas.

 

[Mobeydick]

Take it to the post office.

 

[bushpilot]

i take mine to the post office...they ask everytime whats in it and i
tell them NOTHING dangerous...i always make sure i have the letter
in my back pocket but ive never had to show it.

 

[powerboatr]

us post office

"crankcase Fluid" on the label usually works

 

[Scot]

Did you forget to give your mail carrier something for Chistmas last year? -popcorn

Our LC took mine no problem.

 

[bushpilot]

try marking it "not hazardous"

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Why not just drop it in a regular old blue mailbox?

 

[no-red 6 0]

i take it to the P.O. and first 2 times had the letter. asked what was inside i told them engine oil..they said o o.k. last 2 times w/ no letter they again asked and told same thing. no problems.. i pay .60 for a tracking label just in case it does get lost....

never tried the mailbox deal. i spose i could if i had the prepaid $1.59 labels. i shall ask the man tomorrow (or next time i see him and remember.)

 

[RSG]

Thanks all. I got the prepaid labels for convenience...afraid to drop in the 'blue box' I may never see it or the analysis again!

I taped the letter to the lid and the carrier at work didn't even blink, so I guess I use them instead of my home carrier.

You're right, Scot, I didn't leave him anything...BUT, he always leaves fingerprints all over my Dillon Precision www.dillonprecision.com catalogue (that's how I know it's a 'he', the hot models on the cover), and he gets that every month, for crying out loud!

 

[RSG]

Got my first analysis for oil removed for the 60k change. Nice! They send both via email and a hard copy.

To extend oil service interval, I know I should get a sample and see the analysis. But what limits are acceptable on the oil before I should change?? Thanks!