Oil Change Tips and Dangers

[AngelOfDarkness]

Okay so I have done oil changes before, but on the way home from work tonight (1:30am) I noticed that my car was due for an oil change. Now I was wondering is there anything I need to pay attention to or and tips to make it easier. I know on my minivan I had to be careful when changing the oil filter cause I could strip the metal real easy

 

[carljwnc]

Subies are one of the easiest, cleanest oil changes to do. Very straight forward, about the only thing I can think of is the fact that your supposed to use a new crush ring on the drain plug every time.

 

[Hilly]

Yes, get a pack of crush oil plug washers (not expensive, even from dealerships). I re-used one once, and strangely although it only seeped oil, the motor would give a bit more rattle than normal on startup when cold. When I replaced the washer (keeping the same oil) the rattle went away. I can only assume there was a slight loss of pressure due to the seal leaking, but why it would make such a difference doesn't make sense to me!

 

[Kevin]

I found that cutting the bottom off a soda bottle with the cap intact e.g. Pepsi / Coke and placing it upsidedown over the oil filter to catch oil before removal makes a lot less mess.

A Fumoto valve makes changing oil a breeze too. Don't overtighten the new filter; finger tight plus 3/4 to 1 turn (I think)

 

[HairySheep]

I found that cutting the bottom off a soda bottle with the cap intact e.g. Pepsi / Coke and placing it upsidedown over the oil filter to catch oil before removal makes a lot less mess.

thats actually a great tip, never thought about that before.

i always fill my new filter up before i put it on, ive heard you should always do that when the filter position allows you to

 

[AngelOfDarkness]

hmm yes thanks for all the tips, I have a oil pan (or a capture tank) that is great cause it angles towards the middle and I just put that under my oil filter and my drain