First Oil Change- Notes---DIY Help

[braddman]

I just finished changing the oil for the first time. The car is at 2000 miles exactly. Here's what you'll need (Complete list of tools and parts).

You can use the pictures from the Evilution thread.

1) 24mm Socket or Wrench
2) Smallest Oil filter wrench at Autozone (you won't get the first filter off without it.)
3) Floor jack
4) Oil drain pan
5) Shop rags
6) Bosch 3300 filter (perfect replacement for stock.)
7) 4 Quarts of oil (3.5 in the car) ( I used Pennzoil Synthetic 5W30, you use whatever you want)

Directions:

1) Jack up the back of the car unless you have power tools to get off the drain plug for the first time. It's tight and there is not enough room to move the wrench enough to get it off. (You won't get enough leverage.)
Jacking up the drivers side will also assist the oil to drain to the passenger side where the drain plug is.

2) Remove the drain plug. It was so tight I had to use my foot to get enough power on the wrench to budge it.

3) Drain oil completely.

4) Remove oil filter and replace with Bosch 3300 (put some new oil around the o-ring and hand tighten the new one>

5) Replace drain plug after oil is completely drained.

6) Let car down off jack.

7) Lift up carpet, turn screw to remove engine cover, it will come completely out.

8) Add 3.5 quarts of oil, check dipstick to ensure car is full.

9) Start engine, check for leaks and make sure you have oil pressure, and no warning lights are on.

That's it. Hopefully it won't take you guys 3 hours like it took me because I didn't have the tools and couldn't get that drain plug out for a long time.

Cheers!~

[jwight]

I have no idea why the plug is that tight; I took mine to a local oil change place but they even had a tough time - good thing the car was on a lift.

You'll be bombarded by "should have filled the filter" before putting it on, as well as "always use old oil for the O-ring." First one is not a bad idea; second one never made any sense to me.

Did you jack up the rear and keep it level or tilt it toward the drain plug? Seems to me that would help it drain but probably not a big deal.

What - you didn't use the smart OEM filter! Surprised the engine didn't blow as soon as you started it. Just kidding; I've got a Bosch for the next oil change also.

Thanks for the feedback.

[WickedMessenger]

What kind of oil did you use? I'm facing my first oil change and don't know which grade, although brand of choice seems to be Mobil 1 synthetic.

[DFWehman]

Did mine last weekend, agree the plug is damn tight, as was the filter. Used a Mobil 1 "108" filter, and Mobil 1 5w30. Legally I must say that you should not take my advice, follow the instructions in your book or at the dealer!

[braddman]

Originally Posted by WickedMessenger

What kind of oil did you use? I'm facing my first oil change and don't know which grade, although brand of choice seems to be Mobil 1 synthetic.

Thanks for reminding me to add that...I used 5w30.

Pennzoil Synthetic is on sale right now at Kragen, so I picked that up. This is just a regular Mitsubishi 3 cylinder engine, it doesn't even need synthetic, but I use that in all my cars.

The Pennzoil turned out to basically cost 7.00 after the rebate for 4 quarts.

[braddman]

Originally Posted by jwight

I have no idea why the plug is that tight; I took mine to a local oil change place but they even had a tough time - good thing the car was on a lift.

You'll be bombarded by "should have filled the filter" before putting it on, as well as "always use old oil for the O-ring." First one is not a bad idea; second one never made any sense to me.

Did you jack up the rear and keep it level or tilt it toward the drain plug? Seems to me that would help it drain but probably not a big deal.

What - you didn't use the smart OEM filter! Surprised the engine didn't blow as soon as you started it. Just kidding; I've got a Bosch for the next oil change also.

Thanks for the feedback.

LOL...yeah I've been changing oil in my cars for 20 years and I've never

1) Used the old oil on the o-ring.
2) Filled any oil filters.

There's enough oil left over in the pan and on the engine parts to keep it safe until oil pressure comes up.

I had to jack up the car to get the plug off, but yeah it happened to be tilted towards the filter.

[mvaldes]

Not realizing that my sockets only went up to 19mm, I used a large cresent wrench to remove the drain plug. The car was on the ground and it wasn't hard to loosen and remove. I didn't have the oil filter removal socket either but found a large channel lock pliers worked just fine. FWIW, I've usually removed the filler cap before the drain plug as I was taught many years ago - the theory being that the oil drains more quickly that way and you're going to have to remove it anyway to put in the new oil. (I've subsequently gotten the 24mm socket and ordered the filter socket so I hope it'll be even easier next time.)

[braddman]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

Not realizing that my sockets only went up to 19mm, I used a large cresent wrench to remove the drain plug. The car was on the ground and it wasn't hard to loosen and remove. I didn't have the oil filter removal socket either but found a large channel lock pliers worked just fine. FWIW, I've usually removed the filler cap before the drain plug as I was taught many years ago - the theory being that the oil drains more quickly that way and you're going to have to remove it anyway to put in the new oil. (I've subsequently gotten the 24mm socket and ordered the filter socket so I hope it'll be even easier next time.)

Good idea about the filler cap. I didn't get into the engine bay until I was sure I could actually change the oil lol.

[shack01]

Is the crush washer a standard size? That's the last item I need to begin. Sure wish there was a Chilton's or factory tech manual available. Not that one needs it for an oil change but I have one for the other toys and will get one when they are available.

tm

[DFWehman]

Shack01, not to put you off, but the dimensions are in another thread here, not sure which.. Search will find it.

Found it...

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