Oil Change tips

[Stewart1000]

when changing oil in any car there are a few simple steps that can make the whole job a lot easier

#1 when unscrewing the sump bolt, do it with a spanner or whatever until its loose enough to loosen by hand and then do it by hand but while unscrewing it push it towards the hole so oil doesnt leak while unscrewing it out and when you can feel its out quickly take it out and hold it over the pan or whatever your using.

#2 dont change oil while its hot, the oil will get hot after the car has been running for a while, it will burn very bad and it wont stop burning after its washed off, it'll still burn. if it really needs doing, loosen it untill its nearly out with a spanner and then take it the rest of the way by pliers.

#3 when changing the oil filter which should be changed with the oil, loosen it and let the oil just run down the side and off into the pan and dont take it all off until its stopped leaking or just dripping slowly because a gush of oil could come out.

hope that helped, and remember, dont take your car to the mechanics to get an oil change, do it yourself!
hope you enjoyed my spellign mistakes lol
stewart

[Shounak]

Sorry to be a smart arse mate.. But I'd personally disagree with a few of these steps..

No one of these is correct.. Just different..

Originally Posted by Stewart1000

when changing oil in any car there are a few simple steps that can make the whole job a lot easier

#1 when unscrewing the sump bolt, do it with a spanner or whatever until its loose enough to loosen by hand and then do it by hand but while unscrewing it push it towards the hole so oil doesnt leak while unscrewing it out and when you can feel its out quickly take it out and hold it over the pan or whatever your using.

Don't use an open ended spanner to undo your sump bolt.. Especially if it's on very tight.. I've seen open ended spanners round of the hex like crazy..

Try undoing a round sump bolt that's on very tight..

Always either use a socket on a ratchet, torque wrench of a ring spanner..

#2 dont change oil while its hot, the oil will get hot after the car has been running for a while, it will burn very bad and it wont stop burning after its washed off, it'll still burn. if it really needs doing, loosen it untill its nearly out with a spanner and then take it the rest of the way by pliers.

I bought a pair of rubber gloves from Safeway/Woolies for $3.. Black thick ones, not the dishwashing kind..

I change the oil at operating temp.. More of it comes out and you can just feel the heat on your hand for a second.. Works a treat.

Be very careful though

#3 when changing the oil filter which should be changed with the oil, loosen it and let the oil just run down the side and off into the pan and dont take it all off until its stopped leaking or just dripping slowly because a gush of oil could come out.

Agreed...

hope that helped, and remember, dont take your car to the mechanics to get an oil change, do it yourself!
hope you enjoyed my spellign mistakes lol
stewart

Ahh yes.. The DIY.. I've seen a mechanic do an oil change in 5 minutes.. I was thinking, thank god I'm not driving that thing home..

You will do a better job yourself.. Almost guaranteed..

[filtnineee]

nice to see where back in play school. but i was allways told to warm up your engine first cause warm oil flows better, and also as i jack my car up as its to low to get under i find the oild comes out quicker on a slight incline. now tommoro im gona change me oxygen sensors

[Shounak]

Originally Posted by filtnineee

nice to see where back in play school. but i was allways told to warm up your engine first cause warm oil flows better, and also as i jack my car up as its to low to get under i find the oild comes out quicker on a slight incline. now tommoro im gona change me oxygen sensors

I dont get it.. Really..

[vinnywelsh]

I allways add in a bottle of that oil flush stuff whenever i do an oil change, run the car for 5 - 10 mins, then the oil comes out easily and its not too hot.

[Snap]

#4 if you have a sump guard. Be warned. They are heavy. *rubs sore chest*

[Spyper]

You need to jack the car up to get to the sump bolt? Dunno if i'd feel comfortable sliding under the car that's just supported by a jack.. ? =/

[Bax]

I jack it most of the time, mainly because my oil catch/ tray thing doesn't fit under the car otherwise.

And I pretty much drain the oil at operating temperature - when hot basically. Then put in cheap oil, run the car again until warm, longish drive around the block, drain again, then good oil.

Just helps get rid of the sludge.

[tallyhojasper]

I ensure the car engine is warm and then park my car up on the gutter, so that one side of the car is up on council strip, while the other side is on the road (its a quiet road). I ensure that I park it so that the sump plug side is on the road side and not the council strip side. This way it allows for better oil drainage. I also open the bonnet and undo the oil filler cap prior to the removal of the sump plug (this also allows for better oil flow from the sump)and provides more light for when I slide under the car. Then once the oil is drained I remove the filter. Then continue on, lubricate the new oil filter seal with new oil, hand tighten it, then replace the sump plug and fill to quoted oil spec plus filter quantity (as specified in the manual)

[VTSSDUDE]

I do the oil change first thing in the morning for a reason. So it leaves the car overnight to have all the oil run down into the sump. Also it doesn't take that long for oil to drain out.
Yes I have to jack my car up so I can take my sump guard off.

[Bax]

Oh, and remove the oil filler cap, air comes out the top- oil comes out the bottom. That ones just common sense.