Oil changing
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick Washington
Oil changing
I'm curious if any of us bring our cars in to the service station for oil changes. Given our demographics, I think most of us change our own. Personally, I kind of like it. I know its done and done right, with the oil and filter that I specified. Also, its more convienent, or at least that's what I tell myself.
Today I changed the oil in The Silver Bullet, my Ford Probe GT, my wife's antique VW Bus, the wife's/family's QuadCab, and my airplane. Time for some Advil and a nap...
Today I changed the oil in The Silver Bullet, my Ford Probe GT, my wife's antique VW Bus, the wife's/family's QuadCab, and my airplane. Time for some Advil and a nap...
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Every next oil change interval, I vow to do it myself. Then I drive to a quick lube place. The Mobil One and filter for that next oil change has been sitting in the garage for at least the last two years. Seriously, what's the shelf life on Mobil One anyway?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
As for procedure, it can be done many ways. Obviously if you had a lift, that's the easiest. Ramps or jack stands will do fine though.
For ramps, I place a couple short 2 x 8's at the front of the ramp to help the spoiler clear when driving up them.
For jacking, jack up from the front(you may need 2 x 8's under the tires to make room for the jack). Place your jack stands on the frame of the car, I place them where the swaybar connects to the frame.
At this point it's easy, remove drain plug, let oil drain.
For removing filter, people all do it different. Some will poke a hole in the bottom to let the oil drain out. Some(like me) just twist it off and then take a rag to wipe off the oil that just ran down your arm.
Put oil on the rubber seal of the new filter, fill filter with fresh oil, reinstall. Don't forget to put the drain plug back in the oil pan. Fill with your favorite oil, put car back on ground. start it up, verify youhave oil pressure, go for a spin, do a burnout, have a cold drink when you get back home.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Foley, AL
Mr. Mojo,
Thanks for the input.
I know how to change oil, just not how to get a C4 off the ground to gain enough clearance to do it.
I just wanted to clear that up before the entire board labels me
a dumb@zz.
I will take your advice and try this for my Corvette. I have an oil
change due soon. Next week, I think.
Thanks again!
cc
Thanks for the input.
I know how to change oil, just not how to get a C4 off the ground to gain enough clearance to do it.
I just wanted to clear that up before the entire board labels me
a dumb@zz.
I will take your advice and try this for my Corvette. I have an oil
change due soon. Next week, I think.
Thanks again!
cc
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
This would make an intersting poll.
I've done a few things to the Vette (and other cars I've owned over the years) but for oil changes I just take it to my mechanic. He's a good guy, kinda looks the thing over for me when he does it, and the last change was $52 total. Given what M1 and the filter would cost at Pep Boys, I just can't justify the hassle of doing it myself.
I've done a few things to the Vette (and other cars I've owned over the years) but for oil changes I just take it to my mechanic. He's a good guy, kinda looks the thing over for me when he does it, and the last change was $52 total. Given what M1 and the filter would cost at Pep Boys, I just can't justify the hassle of doing it myself.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 34
From: Grand Rapids Michigan West Michigan Crew
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Mr. Mojo,
Thanks for the input.
I know how to change oil, just not how to get a C4 off the ground to gain enough clearance to do it.
I just wanted to clear that up before the entire board labels me
a dumb@zz.
I will take your advice and try this for my Corvette. I have an oil
change due soon. Next week, I think.
Thanks again!
cc
Thanks for the input.
I know how to change oil, just not how to get a C4 off the ground to gain enough clearance to do it.
I just wanted to clear that up before the entire board labels me
a dumb@zz.
I will take your advice and try this for my Corvette. I have an oil
change due soon. Next week, I think.
Thanks again!
cc
I just jack up 1 side and put a jackstand under it for safety. Drop the filter and remove the drain plug. then remove the stand and drop it back down as far as i can with the pan under there and let it drain for about 10 min. Jack it back up. screw on new filter and tighten drain plug. put it back on the ground and fill with oil again.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
From: Aquilla TX
MOJO is quite the man but, I found a better way to change oil on my 95 vette "Hey Kid, my vette needs an oil change, I believe I will borrow your vette for the rest of the afternoon." Oil changed in less than 20 minutes with no effort on my part. hahahah
Cruizer
Cruizer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
i can't remember the last time i went to a service station for an oil change. maybe 25 years ago?
the vette? up on ramps. takes about 20 mins. $3 oil filter, $12 dino oil - castrol gtx. $15 total. problem solved.
the vette? up on ramps. takes about 20 mins. $3 oil filter, $12 dino oil - castrol gtx. $15 total. problem solved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
I used to do it 100% of the time. Now about 25%. There's an auto shop, not a quick change place, near my work. I've let them do auto repairs I don't want to deal with for years. No complaints. $20 for an oil change including a car wash.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood Indiana
After the qwik lube place broke my hood prop last year on my '84 (they didn't realize you had to release the locking elbow, so two of them grabbed the hood and just forced it down until the prop gave way and broke....) 
So, now I change my own oil. I only have to jack up the drivers side a little bit and then reach my man-like arms under the car.
So, now I change my own oil. I only have to jack up the drivers side a little bit and then reach my man-like arms under the car.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
The previous owner of mine passed on a quick change valve that looks like it might make the process a little easier. It's been a long time since I changed oil but I do rememmber having to always fish aroind in the drain pan for the plug after I dropped it in there. This thing eliminates that step. Link below:
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Dealer does my oil changes 85% of the time.
Theres no jacking up the car, no crawling under it, getting oil on your clothes, having to dispose of the old oil.
It just aint worth it.
Of course you always have to check to see if it done right.
A guy I knew a multi-millionaire was changing his tire on his motorhome, the jack slipped, the motorhome fell on him, and his kids got all of the money. The oldest built a Ford Cobra with some of the money.
Beautiful car, after it was done, all $50,000 of it he couldn't wait to get rid of it. Nasty cars to drive.
Tire shops change tires, AAA does road service, Dealerships change oil.
I don't get under anything unless theres a lift, I don't go on the roof of my house 2 story...............I've worked on cars for 30 years thats over for me.
Theres no jacking up the car, no crawling under it, getting oil on your clothes, having to dispose of the old oil.
It just aint worth it.
Of course you always have to check to see if it done right.
A guy I knew a multi-millionaire was changing his tire on his motorhome, the jack slipped, the motorhome fell on him, and his kids got all of the money. The oldest built a Ford Cobra with some of the money.
Beautiful car, after it was done, all $50,000 of it he couldn't wait to get rid of it. Nasty cars to drive.
Tire shops change tires, AAA does road service, Dealerships change oil.
I don't get under anything unless theres a lift, I don't go on the roof of my house 2 story...............I've worked on cars for 30 years thats over for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sussex,Wi
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick Washington
I jacked the left front corner up and slithered under the car. The ramps I bought won't come close to fitting under the car, but they work well with my other vehicles.
Changing my own oil is just one of those things I like to do. A small amount of satisfaction in a busy world. I know it does not save money, especially when you take into account the time spent on the job.
At least this way no one will break my hood prop rod...
Changing my own oil is just one of those things I like to do. A small amount of satisfaction in a busy world. I know it does not save money, especially when you take into account the time spent on the job.
At least this way no one will break my hood prop rod...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
I jacked the left front corner up and slithered under the car. The ramps I bought won't come close to fitting under the car, but they work well with my other vehicles.
Changing my own oil is just one of those things I like to do. A small amount of satisfaction in a busy world. I know it does not save money, especially when you take into account the time spent on the job.
At least this way no one will break my hood prop rod...
Changing my own oil is just one of those things I like to do. A small amount of satisfaction in a busy world. I know it does not save money, especially when you take into account the time spent on the job.
At least this way no one will break my hood prop rod...
I agree, I do all my changes in the cars, the plane and the bike, I like the feeling of haveing done something good for my car. Also, I buy filters and oil by the bunches so that when I need to do a change, I can just pull the car in the hangar and do it and there is place for the drain oil withing walking distance. It is actually quicker for me to do it myself than to go somewhere.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 953
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel FL
The previous owner of mine passed on a quick change valve that looks like it might make the process a little easier. It's been a long time since I changed oil but I do rememmber having to always fish aroind in the drain pan for the plug after I dropped it in there. This thing eliminates that step. Link below:
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
Wow I like that i may have to get one
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
I bought low profile 11 degree ramps from a catalog. $200 but they work great. Plenty of room under there. Also helped with changing my man trans oil ('91). You'll get your $'s worth out of them. No wood to drive on. The spoiler clears, they go right up - and they're light. Sounds stupid but I don't trust anybody. Last dealer did me a favor and changed my Mobil one to kendell. He understood I was upset and agreed to put my own Mobil one back in. I thought it was odd that they kept the balance of my sixth court. It was - they overfilled it. So I had to do it myself anyway.