Changing my oil for first time. Need help.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Changing my oil for first time. Need help.
Ok, I'm tired of taking my car to the dealership getting crap service, etc, etc ... so i'm purchasing a set of rhino ramps and going to change the oil myself.
I thought I saw a tech article on it somewhere on the forum, but I cant seem to locate it.
Basically any help would be very appreciated.
Thngs like, how much oil do I buy (7qts?), what oil filter do I buy, and where can I get these things. Also will I need anything special to remove / install oil filter ... thanks.
.. I myself have never done an oil change, but I know the legistics of it. Oil Filter, then oil. Replace oil filter, add oil. It was never a question of could I, more of do I want to spend the time doing it when it used to cost me $18.00 for somebody else to do it.
Also, does it matter if the car is tilted when draining the oil? (front end sitting up on rhino ramps)
... Thanks.
I thought I saw a tech article on it somewhere on the forum, but I cant seem to locate it.
Basically any help would be very appreciated.
Thngs like, how much oil do I buy (7qts?), what oil filter do I buy, and where can I get these things. Also will I need anything special to remove / install oil filter ... thanks.
.. I myself have never done an oil change, but I know the legistics of it. Oil Filter, then oil. Replace oil filter, add oil. It was never a question of could I, more of do I want to spend the time doing it when it used to cost me $18.00 for somebody else to do it.
Also, does it matter if the car is tilted when draining the oil? (front end sitting up on rhino ramps)
... Thanks.
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The Rhino Ramps are a good start. They will get the front end up where you can get under it to work. You will also need a floor jack that can lift the back end up higher than the front when it is up on the ramps. That way all the old oil can drain out. The factory fill calls for 6.5 quarts, but you will have to buy 7 quarts. I recommend the Mobil 1 synthetic (5W30 weight) stuff. I use the PF 46 filter from AC Delco, but many others buy more expensive ones. Just depends on what you want to use. The old, filter and ramps can usually all be found at an auto parts store like Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc.
The only other things you will need are a pan to drain the oil in (be sure to recycle the used oil) and a filter wrench. You can get one of these at the auto parts store also.
Good luck. I always change my oil and it also gives me a chance to look under the car and see if anything is amiss there.
The only other things you will need are a pan to drain the oil in (be sure to recycle the used oil) and a filter wrench. You can get one of these at the auto parts store also.
Good luck. I always change my oil and it also gives me a chance to look under the car and see if anything is amiss there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I start by putting the Vette up on the ramps. Then I drain the oil. Important here is to raise the rear of the Vette with a floor jack to completely drain the oil (drain is at the front of the pan). Then I remove the filter and replace with premium filter. Ask ten people and you'll get ten answers as to which filter is best. Refill oil with 6.5 qts (mine takes 7qts to full).
There are a couple other misc things I do. Always check the front of the radiator while it's up on ramps. The intake is the world's largest vacuumm cleaner and the debri needs cleaning out occassionally. This is as good a time as any. Also take quick tour around all the suspension parts and see that everything is tight and nothing is bent, damaged, etc. Generally clean anything I can wipe down.
I'm sure I probably forgot a step but that give you the jist of what to do. Good Luck!
There are a couple other misc things I do. Always check the front of the radiator while it's up on ramps. The intake is the world's largest vacuumm cleaner and the debri needs cleaning out occassionally. This is as good a time as any. Also take quick tour around all the suspension parts and see that everything is tight and nothing is bent, damaged, etc. Generally clean anything I can wipe down.
I'm sure I probably forgot a step but that give you the jist of what to do. Good Luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,413
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From: NC
w/ everything that has been said....I like using the Fram oil filters since I can tighten or lossen w/ out the wrench.....my personal preference.....
As for jacking the rear of the car, I don't think it essential.
Doing your own work is so rewarding, isn't it.
I went from an oil change, to ram air install to a H/C install.....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
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From: Southern NH
Until this year, I had a sloped driveway that made doing and oil change very easy. I would put the Rhino ramps on the downslope of the driveway and drive down onto the ramps. The slope was enough that the car was slightly tilted forward, and I had enough room (and I'm not too small) to crawl under the front to access everything.
Also, check that you have the right socket size for the drain plug. I believe it's 15mm, which is not always in the standard set.
My next oil change will be using the ramps and a jack. I will go with the ramps in front/jack the back, but some prefer to back the car up on ramps and jack the front with the jack accessing the crossmember from between the wheel and wheelwell.
Also, check that you have the right socket size for the drain plug. I believe it's 15mm, which is not always in the standard set.
My next oil change will be using the ramps and a jack. I will go with the ramps in front/jack the back, but some prefer to back the car up on ramps and jack the front with the jack accessing the crossmember from between the wheel and wheelwell.
