Oil Changes

[Warfang]

Just got a 97GTS that's due for it's first oil change with me. Is changing the oil on the Viper pretty easy as a DIY? Any tips? Or should I take it to someone? The closest Viper tuner is Valaya but they're a bit far. Are dealerships good enough to do basic maintenance? TIA.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

There should be some local VCA events that include oil changes. Ron Hickey and the VA/MD gang have "Oil Change Days" at their houses. BYOO and F.....good bonding with the car.

 

[adamlotus]

take it to someone,much easier,if you do it your self might make a mess and than you need to dispose of the oil anfilter
properly.
adam

 

[Doug]

did mine last week.sure did make a mess changing the oil filter. oil all over the frame.

 

[FLOORIN04]

we are suppose to change the oil?

the last vette i had you just added a qt or two everytime you drove it and it either leaked it or burnt it































just kidding its late and yes i do not do well telling jokes

 

[BluBite]

There should be some local VCA events that include oil changes. Ron Hickey and the VA/MD gang have "Oil Change Days" at their houses. BYOO and F.....good bonding with the car.

Are you kidding!! " There should be some local VCA events that include oil changes"????????????? I've been a Viper owner for almost 7 years, I have NEVER seen an event that included "oil changes". The only events we have are lunches mostly. If you do have those, you are lucky.

 

[Catwood]

I've change mine since I bought it. I drive up on a set of ramps get a big drain pan, pull the plug then jack up the rear to level and drain it all out. After awhile I pull the filter which is going to get it on the frame. I wipe down the frame wet the new filter o-ring and install.

Pour in the fresh oil, start, check for leaks.....drive off ramps....double check the level....done.

I have a 6 gallon gas can that I put the used oil in and take it to Kragan or other once close to full.

simple from my prospective...

 

[AJT]

Simple, just like any other oil change. Cheap oil filter wrench worked better than expensive one. It takes 9 or 10 qts. so buy enough. Fill oil filter with oil before spinning on. A little oil drips on frame rail but not much.

my .02

 

[Steve-Indy]

Go for it...remember to torque drain plug to 25 lb-ft when finished...AND, recheck drain plug and filter for leaks after you run it. I use Mobil 1 10W-30 oil and Mobil M1-204 filters on ours and am happy!!!! FYI, early on we had dealer do this...price ranged from $120.00 to $260.00 !!!!...it currently costs me $50.00 for the supplies...oil in 5 qt. jugs from Wal-Mart, and the filter from AutoZone.

If you like, stop by my house and I'll help you...having a lift helps !!! (P.S....you'll need another oil change after the long drive home !!! ).

 

[S-JC]

Oil changes are a piece of cake. Definitely DIY. The oil costs $40 (5-qt jugs of Mobil 1 are $20 at Wal-Mart). The plug is on the passenger side, so I elevate the driver side slightly more to help drain out the yucky stuff. You can dump the old oil at almost any Auto Parts store, so I just wait until I have ~20 qts to take in and dump it all at once.

 

[Warfang]

Go for it...remember to torque drain plug to 25 lb-ft when finished...AND, recheck drain plug and filter for leaks after you run it. I use Mobil 1 10W-30 oil and Mobil M1-204 filters on ours and am happy!!!! FYI, early on we had dealer do this...price ranged from $120.00 to $260.00 !!!!...it currently costs me $50.00 for the supplies...oil in 5 qt. jugs from Wal-Mart, and the filter from AutoZone.

If you like, stop by my house and I'll help you...having a lift helps !!! (P.S....you'll need another oil change after the long drive home !!! ).

I think I'll need snow tires/chains just to make it there. Has anyone ever put chains on a viper? Do they even make them?

 

[Socrates]

I was charged $13.00 yesterday at the dealership (brought my own oil and filter). 30 minutes and I was out of there!

Best Regards,
-Justyn

 

[95Viper]

Why is everyone getting oil all over their frame? Why aren't you putting a scrap piece of cardboard over the frame and angle it to dump the filter oil into your pan?

Warfang, Use the torque wrench and call a quick change place and rent their bay for an hour on a non peak period. $10.

 

[ruckdr]

Tip:
Take an ice pick or some other sharp object and pock a hole in the filter,then enlarge the hole with a screw driver, straight above the drain pan. Let it drain overnight, and you are good to remove it. As 95Viper said, use some cardboard or plastic to prevent any oil going where it shouldn't.

Later,

 

[PSilverGTS]

Changing your own oil also gives you a great opportunity to look for any damage or loose parts and a chance to clean the underside.

 

[V10TT]

how many quarts does the Viper take with filter change?

 

[PSilverGTS]

My '98 took eight quarts with filter. I believe the '99 and up take ten because of the bigger oil pan.

 

[95Viper]

Depends on year and you'll get 10 different opinions here. The consensus is have 11 handy, fill with 8, start checking and top off. May end up with 8.5, may end up with 10.5.

 

[smfettig]

Warfang,

Congrats on your new car!!!! I live in the East Bay as well, Pleasanton to be more specific. What city are you in??

Steve

 

[VPRVENM97]

Warfang,

Ted's a great guy and a wealth of knowledge if you have any issues regarding your Viper. If you have the time and want to take the snake out for a spin, take it to Ted at Valaya. He can also look the car over while it's there. Who knows what else it might need...headers, exhaust, roller rockers, hi flow cats, supercharger...

I agree that driving all the way to San Jose for an oil change doesn't make sense. Dublin Dodge used to be the place for Vipers in the East Bay but the Viper Tech moved on (to a Mercedes Dealer if I recall correctly). You would think that its just an oil change and that anyone can do it. But then again, there have been stories of overfilling the oil since different years take different amounts, lot boys taking joyrides, etc.
There have been numerous incidents of qualified Viper techs installing brackets backwards while doing frame recall work.

Heck, if you wanna drive a little further south, pull it into my garage and I'll put it on jack stands and do it for you (or show you how to do it). It only takes a few minutes. While you're at it, change the spark plugs. That only takes a few minutes and costs less then 20 bucks.

BTW, my 97 takes 8.5 quarts of oil. (10) quarts of oil @$6 ea., (1) Mobil 1 oil filter @ $10 ea., (10) Champion spark plugs @ $1.85 ea. Oil/filter change and new spark plugs, less then an hour of work and less then $100 in parts. Simple task and fun activity. Learn to do it yourself and get to know your car.

Welcome to Viper Nation!

 

[Warfang]

Warfang,

Congrats on your new car!!!! I live in the East Bay as well, Pleasanton to be more specific. What city are you in??

Steve

I'm over in Richmond... away from the gunfire.

Is the NorCal Viper group pretty tight? Have you guys gone to the monthly dinners?

VPRVENM97: Might take you up on your offer.

 

[VPRVENM97]

I'm over in Richmond... away from the gunfire.

Is the NorCal Viper group pretty tight? Have you guys gone to the monthly dinners?

VPRVENM97: Might take you up on your offer.

Warfang,

At least you'll be a fast moving target for all those whizzing bullets! Maybe while you're doing the oil change you can have them tack some kevlar panels on the doors.

As far as the NorCal VCA, I'm a member but haven't been to a monthly dinner since they were meeting in Campbell. The meetings are on the first Tuesdays of every month at Maggiano's at Santana Row. Outstanding restaurant, great place to hang out. Just wished it worked out better with my schedule.

As far as a service facility in your area, check with Autoworld in Petaluma

Autoworld Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep-Kia
(707) 762-2712
1370 Auto Center Dr
Petaluma, CA 94952

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