Stupid question of the day (oil changing).

[eddie.vandermark]

Okay, so, as I approach my 10K service, I am finding harder and harder to swallow the price of the oil change at my smart center. Maybe I am just use to getting my $29.99 oil change in my old car, but, I just can't do it. I also am not confident that those $29.99 oil change places know enough about the smart brand to trust them with my Bruno (brings back memories from my 73 Beetle oil change when the service guy asked if it took a full 6 quarts... NO! It only takes 2 and half quarts!!! LOL!). So, I am going to do it myself.

I know there are countless threads and videos about how to change the oil, and I remember my father teaching me when I was about 4 how to do it, but, the one thing my father never taught me was what to do with the old oil. This comes from a time when anything enviromental was mentioned was totally foreign, he would just drain the oil in the ground (and yes, we had well water!!!). I think regular oil change places take the oil for a small fee, but, not 100% sure of that. The other question I had was, how to do I get it there without it spilling all over the cargo area of my Bruno when the soccer mom talking on her phone cuts me off on the way there?

[jetfuel]

...milk jug...

[WhiteNBlack08]

Most of the national auto parts stores ( Autozone, Advance Auto, Schucks, Kragen,etc...) take it for free. You just can't take in more than 5 gallons a month. As far as transporting it, I use old milk jugs or 1 gallon orange juice jugs. I know, the oil can bleed through a milk jug(although I've never had this happen). I just drop off the full jug, and the parts store takes care of the rest.

[Brabus007]

+1 Same here...

[chieftmc]

DITTO what jetfuel and WhiteNBlack08 said

Around here, all the "oil change" places take it free of charge also

[eddie.vandermark]

Wow, like I said stupid question and now seeing the answer, the only word coming into my head is, DUH! LOL! Thanks for all the extremely quick responses and for the tip on the milk jug y'all!

[WhiteNBlack08]

The only stupid question, is the one that's not asked......


BTW, your welcome

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by WhiteNBlack08

The only stupid question, is the one that's not asked....

+1 One of my favorite sayings

[Old smart]

The car parts places have sealable oil change pans readily available for a few bucks.

[forestacademy]

When I did my first oil change on the smart, and first DIY in my life I had to get supplies.
1) 24mm Socket for Drain Plug
2) adapter so I could use the socket on my socket set. It was bigger than any socket I have ever used around the farm
3) Oil
4) Oil Filter
5) Drip pan to collect the oil. This drip pan seals up and you can take it right back to the same place you purchased the oil.
6) sheet of cardboard to put on the ground to lay on

Watch the Video and all will go well.

YouTube - Smart Car Oil Change

Oh, and I needed to cut a chunk of Pipe to create a breaker bar to get that drain plug off. The filter was able to be done by hand.
Be careful of the hot exhaust pipe
2 Days getting all the stuff together. Less than 15 min to do the job.

Oh, Don't lose the drain plug washer when you take it off