oil change advice for the first timer

I'm feeling cocky enough after my 2nd oil change today to share some wisdom I havn't seen in the better written tutorials for people with better equipmnent (lifts, jack stands, etc). So here are a few tricks: I park on a decline and on top of some 4" or 5" border stones on the rear wheels and set the break. Plenty of room to work, car is level and no jack. Budget lots of time. The work only takes a few minutes but with time you can let the oil drip until it's completely done. Only then you can remove the filter. I'm through with the "slip" wrench. It works but I'm going to get the right 10-sided or octogonol or whatever it is. Use cheap disposable gloves instead of work gloves. Just like you learned in health class--It's not the friction that will kill you it's the fluids! I wrapped my ratched in saran wrap so I don't have to clean the oil off of it. Also the same concept as a condom but no perceptive loss in sensitivity. Use a 15qt container to collect the oil instead of filling a 10qt nealry to the brim. Lay down some newspaper. I dropped the filter and it bounced on the oil catcher and spilled about a cub on the driveway. It didn't have to be a mess. Get the oil level as close as you can (on the under side of filled) and don't be afraid to drive a little. Mine seamed to expand and then I made the final adjustment. I always heard to trust the stick before the guage but mine seams to be perfectly in sync. I trust the stick but also take advantage of the convenience of the guage. Hope this helps the first timer!

Good advice above! I would add: 1) A cardboard box cut open and placed under the car catches oil, and provides a nice pad between you and the ground 2) Buy a new drain plug that comes with a new sealer washer 3) Put above mentioned drain plug back in BEFORE refilling the oil! 4) My local STS recycles old motor oil for use in their furnace, so check oil recyclers to find somewhere to get rid of the old oil 5) Enjoy the saved $$ by doing it yourself!

I like #1 #2 I got a spare drain plug (because I heard they were ez to strip) but bought the sealer washers and taped one to each of the filters I purchased. #5 is so important. I let the quick change chumps do my other cars because it's really not worth the trouble but even after buying the oil you still save almost $150 on the 911's. That has my attention.

.........And I called Mobil to ask about the 5 qt. containers that they make for virtually every oil but our 0W-40 and they said too bad, just quarts and cases. So, if you're looking for the larger container the sku doesn't exist.

.....but they do offer a 55 gallon drum. Group buy? :-)

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Rwii thanks forth info! Yah, that's really odd! I thought it was crazy that my local Canadian Tire store only had the small quarts of Mobil1 0W40! I'm planing to use an empty antifreeze container for the old oil.

Here you have my DIY in Soloporsche: http://soloporsche.com/showthread.php?t=11322 I add: use a magnetic drain plug from LN Engineering instead of OEM one

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Nice write up.....good thing I can read pictures...... Me no sprechen sie.

Also if you have a skid plate, remove it before popping the drain plug.

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yes.. It's not easy in spanish but the images showed the task

Remember; if you warm up the oil and it's somewhere around 180+ the damn stuff comes out at this temp! Sounds stupid but I didn't get my hand out fast enough as I unscrewed the plug and it ran over my wrist... Lot's of swearing and a latex glove that almost melted onto my skin. Going to do things differently next time cause man that hurt.

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I use mechanix type gloves. No latex for me. I believe that you should check the oil level at operating temp. Shut the car off on a level surface, wait 5 minutes for the oil to find it's way back into the "integrated sump" and then check the level. If your pouring in new oil it is not at operating temp. I put 8 quarts in and then go for a drive.

RWIII, MAN WHAT A PIECE OF CAKE 25 MIN AND IT WAS DONE THANKS

Cool ZABUCH, I hope you read the real tutorials that mention putting in oil and inserting the plug. I just tried to hit a few of the extras that make it go that much smoother. Like I said, I don't bother with any of this on my real cars because the quickie places do a great job for a low price. I asked about my 75k serivce from my guy that I really like and he told me oil change ($200) and filters and going through the checklist (another $200 for a $400 total). I have no skills but can do this and then take less crap from my CPA wife for another set of Pagid pads and Cup tires. It is a huge cost savings. It's this awesome Rennlist community that has motivated me to take on some of these projects.