My first oil change
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 149
Likes: 28
From: Belle Isle Florida
My first oil change
Bought a 2000 coupe and decided to change the oil and filter not knowing when it was last changed. I have changed the oil on many of my previous cars including my 3 previous Corvettes. Got my ramps out drove the car up on the ramps like I always have before crawled under the Vette and said how in the heck(not the word I actually used} does the oil drain sitting like that. Found out you have to put the rear wheels on the ramp so repeated all of the above steps. Started to crawl under the car and found out I could not get my fat belly under the car. After a few choice curse words I jacked up the drivers side just enough to get me and the drain pan where it should be Loosened the drain plug which fell in the pan and got out from under the car let the jack down to finish draining the oil After it drained jacked the car back up to get the pan out which was full to the top. Dug the plug out of the oil and then tried to figure out what to put under the filter for that oil to drain in as the drain pan was full to the top. After getting it all done I was pretty proud of myself that I got it done and did not hurt myself. Decided that my next oil change was going to be done at a shop near me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
A few times in the past I brought my Mobil 1 and filter to a quick lube place for them to change. I like their pit and the fact they didn't have to jack up my car. Two weeks after one of those changes I noticed oil on my garage floor. My initial thought was it was time to change the oil pressure sending unit. I ended up going under the car and giving the oil filter half a turn because it was never tightened properly. Since then I have been doing my own fluid changes.
At the same location I took an Econoline for their budget oil and filter. They tried to charge me for six quarts on a five liter engine that only used five quarts. I had to show them the owners manual. They said it took six. I told them to remove a quart because they screwed up . The dip stick showed correct and I never returned to that place.
At the same location I took an Econoline for their budget oil and filter. They tried to charge me for six quarts on a five liter engine that only used five quarts. I had to show them the owners manual. They said it took six. I told them to remove a quart because they screwed up . The dip stick showed correct and I never returned to that place.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Northern Ohio
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Good for you for taking the initiative to do it yourself. Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
One unusual, as compared to most cars, thing about the oil change is that the pan has a lot of baffles, so give it some extra time to drain completely, if your oil change guys don't know the car.
I am very happy with an oil change valve that has replaced the plug bolt when I change the oil. Still looking for the perfect filter wrench, and then my set up will be right.
My local oil change chain is not very functional, mechanically or morally, putting dyno oil in a car that ran only syn, and selling an unneeded part to a customer who didn't know any better, the one time my wife used them.
I am very happy with an oil change valve that has replaced the plug bolt when I change the oil. Still looking for the perfect filter wrench, and then my set up will be right.
My local oil change chain is not very functional, mechanically or morally, putting dyno oil in a car that ran only syn, and selling an unneeded part to a customer who didn't know any better, the one time my wife used them.
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Suggestion - put the front end up on ramps, then use a floor jack to lift the rear end to where it sits slightly higher than the front. I used an 8x8” steel plate on the jack pad to span across the rear crossmember when lifting.
And as always, use jack stands for added safety.
And as always, use jack stands for added safety.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
Suggestion - put the front end up on ramps, then use a floor jack to lift the rear end to where it sits slightly higher than the front. I used an 8x8” steel plate on the jack pad to span across the rear crossmember when lifting.
And as always, use jack stands for added safety.
And as always, use jack stands for added safety.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
Cheers!
Last edited by 2TONE82; Sep 11, 2020 at 03:13 PM.
