Do-it-yourself oil changes

[rcdice]

Is there anything I should know about trying to change the oil myself on a 01 RT? An ace mechanic I am not. However, I do like to tinker and would like to keep the oil changed regularly. I wouldn't mind doing it myself and it would save me the drive to the dealer not to mention the $180. they charge for it.

 

[Schulmann]

It's like on any other car ...

 

[PHILIP]

What is the best way to access under the car if you do not have a hoist, is a floor jack and axle stands best or is there another simpler way?

 

[GraphiteGTS]

I enjoy draining every single drop of old oil out of my sump. Then in goes 9.5 quarts of clean, pure, synthetic, along with a new filter.

 

[IEATVETS]

DO NOT do what I did and use a 5 quart drain pan for a job that requires a 10 quart pan!! I still laugh to this day when I think about it. Luckily I saw it fast enough so I didn't spill to much oil.

 

[2BADD 4U]

I enjoy draining every single drop of old oil out of my sump. Then in goes 9.5 quarts of clean, pure, synthetic, along with a new filter.

Make that 10 qts. with the filter

 

[Bonkers]

25 ft/lbs on the drain plug going back in - pan is aluminum and will strip very easily. Like Graphite I am an extremist, I will let the car drain over night to get every drop of the bad juice out. Make sure car is level when you add the new oil so you can accurately refill (sometimes as much as 1.5qts is left behind so you don't want to add 9qrts to discover you've overfilled.)

Otherwise the car is easier to change the oil in that my tahoe.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

2BADD,
No, my car holds 9.5 quarts even after draining overnight and changing the filter.
Graph

 

[DarcShadow]

The only hard part is crawling under it. I've got some wood planks that raise the car about 3 inches off the ground. Just barley enough room to get the drain pan under but it works.

 

[rcdice]

Very good. I pick up the car on Saturday. The oil was changed less than a 1k miles ago but I think I'll do it again anyway. Can't wait.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

I am excited for you. It is amazing the pleasure and satisfaction one can get from a simple oil change.
Bring her down to 'nati when you can.

 

[Steve Miehe]

Securing a low profile floor jack works well when changing oil and filter or a set of those overpriced ramps from Sporty's Tool Shop in Batavia, OH. Darcshadow is right, only problem is getting underneath the car. Once you do that, then doing the work is a cake walk.

 

[David]

Make sure that you pre-fill the oil filter with oil before screwing it back on. This way, the engine can build oil pressure much more quickly when starting after an oil filter change.

 

[jcaspar1]

If you have long arms you can change oil and filter just by driving it up on two ramps made from stacked 2x12's.

 

[rcdice]

I am excited for you. It is amazing the pleasure and satisfaction one can get from a simple oil change.
Bring her down to 'nati when you can.

Graphite GTS,

I "might" drive it to Cinci but I'm not so sure anymore. I originally told myself that I wouldn't let this car become a garage queen. However, the closer I get to getting it in my garage, the more and more I want to keep the miles low. It is located about 100 miles from my home. I just scheduled a transport today so I don't have to put those miles on it. I know, I'm an idiot. I really feel having it trailered home is best as my wife will be with me. If I had to drive a 100 miles home with her following me, well, I just might go insane. My thoughts are at this point to keep it to about 1,000 miles per year. We'll see. The other side of my brain says drive the h*ll out of it. Then, if I still love it, sell it and buy someone else's low mileage queen. At this point I'm just excited to get it home.

 

[Joseph Dell]

Factory jack will work well too... if you use a cordless drill, there is a drill bit (i forget which size) that fits right over the thing that rotates... makes for quick up and downs with the factory jack.

JD

 

[2kviper]

I am excited for you. It is amazing the pleasure and satisfaction one can get from a simple oil change.
Bring her down to 'nati when you can.

Graphite GTS,

I "might" drive it to Cinci but I'm not so sure anymore. I originally told myself that I wouldn't let this car become a garage queen. However, the closer I get to getting it in my garage, the more and more I want to keep the miles low. It is located about 100 miles from my home. I just scheduled a transport today so I don't have to put those miles on it. I know, I'm an idiot. I really feel having it trailered home is best as my wife will be with me. If I had to drive a 100 miles home with her following me, well, I just might go insane. My thoughts are at this point to keep it to about 1,000 miles per year. We'll see. The other side of my brain says drive the h*ll out of it. Then, if I still love it, sell it and buy someone else's low mileage queen. At this point I'm just excited to get it home.

bob-

bring down south, we'll put it up on ricks lift and really make it a garage queen... btw, rick in nky, but what a few more miles if you've already come 100!!!!!!!! gotta drive it like ya stole it...