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I found that changing my own oil wasn't too hard even for a first timer. I bought Mobil 1 extended performance fully synthetic oil along with the correct size mobil 1 fully synthetic extended performance oil filter. I believe it was called A-108 or some such measurement. Not gunna lie amazon.com and its garage feature made this possible.
My first major concern after acquiring jack stands was figuring out the correct place to put them, I've never been under a car until this point and was relieved to see to jack stand points in the shape of protruding metal rectangles towards the engine. My stands fit perfect no fuss. I used the traditional behind the tire spare tire jacking method which I gotta say saved me money for buying a floor jack but time in not using the actual spare tire jack.
From there I found my oil drain pan, which I learned the plug doesn't come all the way out so you gotta give it some play/wiggle room to let your oil get in the pan and not overflow lol.
The hardest part honestly was getting the damn drain plug off, it took some serious elbow grease and about 15 minutes with my wrench, the wrench definitely is the way to go, you gotta use the bot shaped side of it, I believe it was a 12mm wrench.
Finally the oil poured out, at this time my newbie anxiety of the car falling on me subsided (LOL) and I layed back and relaxed as that oil drianed out.... occasionally wiggling the drain pan screw.
After it finished draining I used a disposable blue shop towel to wipe up the drain plug area and inspected the plug to make sure the gasket was intact. People recommend you replace the plug each and every oil change but mine fit well and looked brand new still. I might use it again before replacing it!
So, if your like me and never been underneath your car until well, now- chances are your not going to find the oil filter because its hidden by some very nice plastic sheetlike material that weatherproofs the important components from direct exposure of road salt/water/dirt flying up from the front tires and damaging the goods.
When you wiggle that out (mine had no secured screws on the left and right back portion, its very easy to just peel it down with one hand and with the other hand unscrew your oil filter and let that oil drain, keeping it peeled back as to not get oil on your protective plastic thingy.
Sorry for my descriptive words lol, hopefully I help someone new.
Once that was done putting the new filter on was a breeze, just make sure the gasket from the old oil filter came off and isn't still stuck to the hole lol.
I read online its a good idea to take a fingertip of new oil and rub it around the new gasket to form a air tight seal upon impact with the oil filter housing/cavity , if thats what that hole left in the car would be called.
It screws on easy, just don't go too tight as to set yourself up for failure next go around. I did 2 and three quarters extra turns after it became snug. (as with the drain plug)
Finally measure your new oil out and pour it on in the engine oil reservoir. I used a lovely funnel that has an on off hatch which si operatde via screwed to stop and unscrewed to release flow of measured fluids. There is even a little filter at the flow hatch to stop any contaminate that might have fallen in whilst measuring (like a small pebble.) (About 5 bucks for the spiffy funnel at walmart.)
Putting the new oil in I think was the longest process of this all lol. After that lower your car down, making sure you take the jack stands off, obvi.
I started it up and let it idle for about 5 minutes before returning it to its parking space to let that oil swoosh around my engine.
Some notes!!!!!
Mobil 1 fully synthetic extended performance oil is what my car was using since before I purchased it, I got the mobil 1 fully synthetic extended performance filter as a nice touch
2 filters for 4 dollars, who can beat that?
Did I mention why I used the higher priced oil known as mobil 1 and its spiffy filter?
Both fluid and filter are guaranteed 15,000 miles between changes. As for me I'm monitoring the dirtiness level and will change most likely at 10,000 even if its still squeaky clean. It's been 4,000 miles so far and it looks fresh out of the bottle. I'm blown away.
Well I hope I helped, if this gets approved I'd love for this newbie guide to be posted into the How To Section of the forum!!!!!
A great website I used too was CarCareKiosk - Free videos that show you how to fix YOUR car
I look forward to posting more DIY For Dummies Edition maintenance procedures so everyone can save money. Aside from oil and filter, everything else I used was under 10 bucks at walmart lol.
Be sure to recycle your oil by pouring it into an empty milk jug and bringing it to a disposal center. I know walmarts with a tire lube and express center take 5qts at no charge per person
If this helps you please give feedback
Thank you community :grouphug:
My first major concern after acquiring jack stands was figuring out the correct place to put them, I've never been under a car until this point and was relieved to see to jack stand points in the shape of protruding metal rectangles towards the engine. My stands fit perfect no fuss. I used the traditional behind the tire spare tire jacking method which I gotta say saved me money for buying a floor jack but time in not using the actual spare tire jack.
From there I found my oil drain pan, which I learned the plug doesn't come all the way out so you gotta give it some play/wiggle room to let your oil get in the pan and not overflow lol.
The hardest part honestly was getting the damn drain plug off, it took some serious elbow grease and about 15 minutes with my wrench, the wrench definitely is the way to go, you gotta use the bot shaped side of it, I believe it was a 12mm wrench.
Finally the oil poured out, at this time my newbie anxiety of the car falling on me subsided (LOL) and I layed back and relaxed as that oil drianed out.... occasionally wiggling the drain pan screw.
After it finished draining I used a disposable blue shop towel to wipe up the drain plug area and inspected the plug to make sure the gasket was intact. People recommend you replace the plug each and every oil change but mine fit well and looked brand new still. I might use it again before replacing it!
So, if your like me and never been underneath your car until well, now- chances are your not going to find the oil filter because its hidden by some very nice plastic sheetlike material that weatherproofs the important components from direct exposure of road salt/water/dirt flying up from the front tires and damaging the goods.
When you wiggle that out (mine had no secured screws on the left and right back portion, its very easy to just peel it down with one hand and with the other hand unscrew your oil filter and let that oil drain, keeping it peeled back as to not get oil on your protective plastic thingy.
Sorry for my descriptive words lol, hopefully I help someone new.
Once that was done putting the new filter on was a breeze, just make sure the gasket from the old oil filter came off and isn't still stuck to the hole lol.
I read online its a good idea to take a fingertip of new oil and rub it around the new gasket to form a air tight seal upon impact with the oil filter housing/cavity , if thats what that hole left in the car would be called.
It screws on easy, just don't go too tight as to set yourself up for failure next go around. I did 2 and three quarters extra turns after it became snug. (as with the drain plug)
Finally measure your new oil out and pour it on in the engine oil reservoir. I used a lovely funnel that has an on off hatch which si operatde via screwed to stop and unscrewed to release flow of measured fluids. There is even a little filter at the flow hatch to stop any contaminate that might have fallen in whilst measuring (like a small pebble.) (About 5 bucks for the spiffy funnel at walmart.)
Putting the new oil in I think was the longest process of this all lol. After that lower your car down, making sure you take the jack stands off, obvi.
I started it up and let it idle for about 5 minutes before returning it to its parking space to let that oil swoosh around my engine.
Some notes!!!!!
Mobil 1 fully synthetic extended performance oil is what my car was using since before I purchased it, I got the mobil 1 fully synthetic extended performance filter as a nice touch
Did I mention why I used the higher priced oil known as mobil 1 and its spiffy filter?
Both fluid and filter are guaranteed 15,000 miles between changes. As for me I'm monitoring the dirtiness level and will change most likely at 10,000 even if its still squeaky clean. It's been 4,000 miles so far and it looks fresh out of the bottle. I'm blown away.
Well I hope I helped, if this gets approved I'd love for this newbie guide to be posted into the How To Section of the forum!!!!!
A great website I used too was CarCareKiosk - Free videos that show you how to fix YOUR car
I look forward to posting more DIY For Dummies Edition maintenance procedures so everyone can save money. Aside from oil and filter, everything else I used was under 10 bucks at walmart lol.
Be sure to recycle your oil by pouring it into an empty milk jug and bringing it to a disposal center. I know walmarts with a tire lube and express center take 5qts at no charge per person
If this helps you please give feedback
Thank you community :grouphug: