DIYer's Oil Change

[Tillong]

The only times I've ever changed my own oil I always did it at my buddy's shop on a lift. So my question is how do you DIYers do it. ie. do you jack up the car (i dont own any so I hope not) what do you drain the oil into once the filters removed, and what in gods name do you do with it afterwards.

Paul

 

[SHOnuff93]

jack up the front, but if you are jackless you can park it on the curb to give yourself some room under there. drain the oil into a drain pan, bucket if necessary. to dispose of the oil just take it to a local autoparts store, most have oil disposal, (i drain it from the drain pan to a milk jug for transport)

good luck

 

[Mans442]

Yep. So easy, I can do it!!

You will need a 14 mm socket for the drain plug, and a strong grip on the oil filter, and your are done. Drain the oil out of the case first, then remove the oil filter. Be sure to move whatever you have collecting the oil to underneath where the oil filter is....

Have fun...

JSM

 

[jcostantino]

Buy some ramps for $30, play it safe.

Jeff

 

[Tillong]

What with the low front bumper (especially cause its a GenI) any suggestion on cheap ramps that work well with the car without scraping the bottom of the bumper, and where to pick them up?

Paul

 

[Rob94]

Use aluminum foil or something similar to protect your starter. Once you remove that oil filter, your starter is gonna get an oil bath if it's not covered. I make a "ramp" so the oil drains down and ends up in the bucket.

 

[Jersey Fred]

Tillong:
What with the low front bumper (especially cause its a GenI) any suggestion on cheap ramps that work well with the car without scraping the bottom of the bumper, and where to pick them up?

Paul

Get a set of Rhino ramps. They sell them at PEP Boys around here pretty cheap (maybe $35). They are low enough to go under most cars.

 

[Xs SHO 1]

$20 for Rhino Ramps at Wal Mart.

 

[pittsburghsho]

Or at Sears department store they have a 3 ton jack and 2 jackstands for $80. I hate ramps for some reason.

 

[Blast7]

Before you drain your oil you should drive your SHO around to get the oil nice and warm. When it is warmer, more of the sludge will come out.

 

[jcostantino]

....on your hand (so be careful with that 250 degree oil...

Fram sells a neat oil change plug set with a quick connect fitting and hose.. You empty the old oil, install the fitting for the next time and then when you want to change the oil next time, insert the fitting (like an air compressor quick-connect) and the oil starts to drain out. Some have expressed concerns with the MTX's drain location but the ATX's might be well suited since it's on the side.

If you don't want the fram drain, I've had luck unscrewing drainplugs by hand this way: unscrew the plug until oil starts to seep around the threads, once it starts to come down (and burn) start pushing the plug back up into the threads to keep the oil from coming through the threads until the plug is backed out all the way, at that point pull your hand (and drain plug) out of the way and let the oil flow out. You won't completely avoid getting dirty or burned but most of the oil will go where it should go and you'll still be holding the drain plug in your hand.

Jeff

 

[MeShoHorny]

When doing a change you sould make it a habbit of filling your new oil filter half way so that the motor gets oil quicker on start-up. You should also apply a thin film of oil around the oil filters rubber gasket-makes for a nice seal.

 

[jcostantino]

That reminds me... make sure that your old oil filter has the gasket still attached and that it's didn't stick to the block.

Jeff

 

[Dave Ladely]

I installed the Amsoil remote dual filter set up, that got rid of the oiling the starter problem and with a bypass filter and a nice big K & N full flow filter, which are now much easier to change, I have much better filtration along with a snap job.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Also for the MTX owner, the Motorcraft FL1A filter, or Mobil 1 M1-301 filter fit, and give you double the filtration.