NateW
my sigs worse than yours
+191|6571
Anyone else do it themselves, or do you just take it in and have it done? I need to get my oil changed, and I want to just do it myself since it seems easy enough, and like something I should be able to do on my own.

I know my Grandpa used to do it all himself, and my dad use to change his oil when he was younger. Anyways, just curious, but most of all I just wanted to know how much it will save me if I just do it myself.

edit: I drive a '91 Toyota V6 Pickup

Last edited by NateWiese (2009-02-04 18:22:26)

Reciprocity
Member
+721|7019|the dank(super) side of Oregon
depends on the car.
trex1210
I am Canadian
+72|6698|B.C. Canada
doing it your self is so easy. Just unscrew the plug on the oil pan and let the oil drain out. Screw plug back on and then put new oil in. You should replace the oil filter aswell.
Doing this on your own will not only save you money but you will gain some knowlegde on your vehicle.
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6961|...

i take it in, just because of laziness and bad timing
ironic, i still do my own brakes

Last edited by jsnipy (2009-02-04 18:32:56)

Slarty
Member
+37|6403|Ingerland
Just about one of the easiest jobs to do on a car (pickup).

Should take a novice mechanic no more than an hour start to finish, assuming you have the correct tools of course

First warm the engine, not too hot but warm.
Raise and support the front (rear if it's rear engined of course lol)
Locate the sump and hence sump plug.
Undo sump plug making sure you have a container of some sort to collect the used oil (I use an old oil can with the side cut open).
Be CAREFUL! The oil will be quite warm so make sure you don't drop/throw the sump plug if you get oil on your hand!
Let the oil continue to drain for as long as you can before putting the sump plug back in and tightening (each vehicle will have a specified torque setting). It's worth noting that most sump plugs use a crush type washer that should be replaced each time, to prevent leaks.
Locate the oil filter and remove using one of the many devices available. I personally use the chain type as they seem to "bite" better than other types. Again place the container under the oil filter to collect any oil.
Lubricate the rubber seal on the new oil filter with new oil, it'll help it seal better. In some instances it's advisable to fill the new filter with new oil, but sometimes it's simply not possible (if the filter is upside down, so to speak).
Refill the engine with the correct amount of oil.

Job done
phishman420
Banned
+821|6120

trex1210 wrote:

doing it your self is so easy. Just unscrew the plug on the oil pan and let the oil drain out. Screw plug back on and then put new oil in. You should replace the oil filter aswell.
Doing this on your own will not only save you money but you will gain some knowlegde on your vehicle.
What about having to go to the store and buying the oil and filter? What about having to dispose of the oil? You're better off just taking it in and getting someone to do it.
Yellowman03
Once Again, We Meet at Last
+108|6674|Texas

Slarty wrote:

Just about one of the easiest jobs to do on a car (pickup).

Should take a novice mechanic no more than an hour start to finish, assuming you have the correct tools of course

First warm the engine, not too hot but warm.
Raise and support the front (rear if it's rear engined of course lol)
Locate the sump and hence sump plug.
Undo sump plug making sure you have a container of some sort to collect the used oil (I use an old oil can with the side cut open).
Be CAREFUL! The oil will be quite warm so make sure you don't drop/throw the sump plug if you get oil on your hand!
Let the oil continue to drain for as long as you can before putting the sump plug back in and tightening (each vehicle will have a specified torque setting). It's worth noting that most sump plugs use a crush type washer that should be replaced each time, to prevent leaks.
Locate the oil filter and remove using one of the many devices available. I personally use the chain type as they seem to "bite" better than other types. Again place the container under the oil filter to collect any oil.
Lubricate the rubber seal on the new oil filter with new oil, it'll help it seal better. In some instances it's advisable to fill the new filter with new oil, but sometimes it's simply not possible (if the filter is upside down, so to speak).
Refill the engine with the correct amount of oil.

Job done
And dispose of your oil properly. usually there are places for that. Don't just throw that shit in the trash.
Reciprocity
Member
+721|7019|the dank(super) side of Oregon
Before you drain the oil be sure you can remove the filter, they get screwed on pretty tight sometimes and if you don't have a filter wrench or big pair of channel locks it can be bitch to remove.  I've had to hammer a screwdriver into the bastards to get some leverage.


oh yeah, your oil filter on on the left side of the block, mounted on an oil cooler.  When you drain the oil, make sure you drain the engine oil and not the transmission, I know it sounds simple, but I've seem more than one car come in on a hook with an empty transmission and 10 or 12 quarts of oil in the engine.

Last edited by Reciprocity (2009-02-04 18:41:48)

Mr.Dooomed
Find your center.
+752|6767

NateWiese wrote:

edit: I drive a '91 Toyota V6 Pickup
Sweet, should be easy enough. Do it. Join a forum dedicated to your truck, or toyota in general. You wont regret it. Here is one i just found. Search for more if you want.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/f22

I got an account on http://forum.ih8mud.com/ the forum is dedicated to Land Cruiser owners. You can learn anything if you know where to look. Change your oil. Get used to working on your truck, you might not need it, but buy these also:

https://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/144793_lg.jpg

Or something similar/cheaper. Oreilly Autoparts sells a set for like $60.

Good luck, have fun!
Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.
FrankieSpankie3388
Hockey Nut
+243|6969|Boston, MA
I know that Japanese cars are usually a pain in the ass to change the oil due to bad location of the oil filter. Maybe a 91 is old enough that they have it big and spread out so it shouldn't be a problem. You probably won't save much money unless you use fully synthetic oil, which you should use! if you use regular oil with a regular oil filter, you might save a dollar or two doing it yourself. But if you ask for synthetic at the local shop, they'll suddenly charge you a lot more. You can go to Walmart or something and get Mobil 1 fully synthetic (forget the price, not too much though) and get the most expensive oil filter they have for your car (roughly $10.) If you use fully synthetic, it lasts you a full 6 months or 6,000 miles which is obviously a lot more convenient because you cut down your oil changes in half, in the long run you save money, you get better fuel mileage, you get a slight increase in power (don't expect much of a difference, you might not even notice any difference at all) and this oil is better for your engine. In the end, it's stupid not to use fully synthtic. Even better, if you can get Amsoil or Royal Purple. I'm not even sure if they sell these at the popular auto stores like AutoZone, I usually go to a local shop for it. It's quite a bit more expensive but it last a year/12,000 miles. Of course, it has the same benefits as fully synthetic but it'll last you twice as long and it's supposedly better in every way as well. Get either the Amsoil EA or Wix oil filter for it as well since those will also last a year/12k miles. Last time I changed my oil was in May of 2008 and I paid roughly $45 for the oil and filter. How much have you spent for oil since then?

If you do choose to change your own oil, remember these small tidbits:

-Drive around for about 10 minutes before you change your oil. It'll heat up the oil which allows it to flow out of the oil pan much easier which means it comes out faster and less gunk gets stuck in there.

-You're going to get oil on your hands. If you drive around for 10 minutes, it'll be warm, but it's not going to burn you. If you were driving for a long time, you can let it sit for 10-15 minutes to let it cool a bit, but still, you won't get burnt. Just get your hands dirty, it makes things so much easier.

-I know it sounds stupid but make sure you have a good grip on your oil filter when you remove it. Oil will pour out of it as it gets loose and onto your hands unless you use one of those wrenches, but those suck. Don't let it slip out of your hand. The first time I changed my oil, it slipped out of my hand and went right into the catch can splashing oil onto my face, fortunately none went into my eyes/mouth. I'm just warning you not to make the same mistake I made.

-Obviously make sure the plug is in before you start pouring in your new oil. My brother's friend forgot to do that and watched all the oil pour down the driveway and almost into a sewer. XD He had to run and grab rags to stop it from reaching the sewer and spent hours cleaning it up before a cop might see it since he didn't want a huge fine.

-This one I cannot stress enough. When changing your oil filter, apply some of the new oil onto your finger tip. Run your finger along the top of the oil filter several times where it screws into the engine. If you don't do this, the metal will seize to your engine and you're going to have one hell of a time removing it the next time you change your oil. My oil filter wrench, or whatever it's called, wouldn't do anything, it just dented the filter. I had to hammer a screw driver into the side to turn it which made an even bigger mess. So REMEMBER, run some oil over the metal of the oil filter where it screws into your engine!!!

That's basically all there is to it, can't really think of anything else at the moment. You should probably grease your joints while you're at it. You should do that every 3 months/3,000 miles as well.

edit - The oil filter I always just threw out. The actual oil you can bring anywhere like Autozone and they'll dispose it free of charge.

Last edited by FrankieSpankie3388 (2009-02-04 18:41:54)

Slarty
Member
+37|6403|Ingerland

Yellowman03 wrote:

And dispose of your oil properly. usually there are places for that. Don't just throw that shit in the trash.
Agreed. Also the oil filter too, most recycling places (here, at least) will take those too.
trex1210
I am Canadian
+72|6698|B.C. Canada

phishman420 wrote:

trex1210 wrote:

doing it your self is so easy. Just unscrew the plug on the oil pan and let the oil drain out. Screw plug back on and then put new oil in. You should replace the oil filter aswell.
Doing this on your own will not only save you money but you will gain some knowlegde on your vehicle.
What about having to go to the store and buying the oil and filter? What about having to dispose of the oil? You're better off just taking it in and getting someone to do it.
Oil is damn cheap (atleast where I live) and for disposing of the oil, we usually use it for fire starter.
Mr.Dooomed
Find your center.
+752|6767

phishman420 wrote:

You're better off just taking it in and getting someone to do it.
Quiet u lazy stoner

Really, ordering an oil filter/air filter/ few quarts of oil is so easy. Wtf ig? lol....

and it would be cheaper online anyway...Or just order the stuff from an auto parts store.

Also, any oil service place should take the oil for you, they might charge ya a small amount though.

Buy a shop manual. A good one! Like, Toyota's official shop manual for the truck in discussion.



Edit:

I bought a Bentley shop manual for my Bimmer, and I've replaced the oil pan, fixed the heater blower, repaired the Speedo Cluster, trip meter gears, replaced door handles that were busted, installed rear head rests. Removed front and rear bumber and painted them black.

ITS ALL IN THERE! But you gotta buy a good one.

Last edited by Im_Dooomed (2009-02-04 18:45:23)

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.
phishman420
Banned
+821|6120

Im_Dooomed wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

You're better off just taking it in and getting someone to do it.
Quiet u lazy stoner

Really, ordering an oil filter/air filter/ few quarts of oil is so easy. Wtf ig? lol....

and it would be cheaper online anyway...Or just order the stuff from an auto parts store.

Also, any oil service place should take the oil for you, they might charge ya a small amount though.

Buy a shop manual. A good one! Like, Toyota's official shop manual for the truck in discussion.
The thing is that you're only saving a few bucks, and it takes 10x as long...
FrankieSpankie3388
Hockey Nut
+243|6969|Boston, MA

phishman420 wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

You're better off just taking it in and getting someone to do it.
Quiet u lazy stoner

Really, ordering an oil filter/air filter/ few quarts of oil is so easy. Wtf ig? lol....

and it would be cheaper online anyway...Or just order the stuff from an auto parts store.

Also, any oil service place should take the oil for you, they might charge ya a small amount though.

Buy a shop manual. A good one! Like, Toyota's official shop manual for the truck in discussion.
The thing is that you're only saving a few bucks, and it takes 10x as long...
You'd actually be surprised. Yes, only a few bucks for your regular conventional oil. Next time ask for fully synthetic and magically it's mystical oil that came from the moon and costs a shit ton more.
phishman420
Banned
+821|6120

FrankieSpankie3388 wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:


Quiet u lazy stoner

Really, ordering an oil filter/air filter/ few quarts of oil is so easy. Wtf ig? lol....

and it would be cheaper online anyway...Or just order the stuff from an auto parts store.

Also, any oil service place should take the oil for you, they might charge ya a small amount though.

Buy a shop manual. A good one! Like, Toyota's official shop manual for the truck in discussion.
The thing is that you're only saving a few bucks, and it takes 10x as long...
You'd actually be surprised. Yes, only a few bucks for your regular conventional oil. Next time ask for fully synthetic and magically it's mystical oil that came from the moon and costs a shit ton more.
Because synthetic costs the same as regular at a store...
Mr.Dooomed
Find your center.
+752|6767

phishman420 wrote:

The thing is that you're only saving a few bucks, and it takes 10x as long...
lulz, consider how many times you change your oil in a vehicles life time man. First try will take say, 40 min learning how to do it? Everytime after that, you get better and better at it. At no shop cost!

So, for example, 50 oil changes over a period of time. (5000 miles x 50 = 250,000 miles, average life of American car lulz, /flame suit)

Shop will charge ya $40 every time lets say..

$2000!

But do it on your own every 5000 miles...

Satisfaction of doing it yourself, satisfaction of knowing you did it right, satisfaction of knowing it didn't cost you more $$.

But i guess... $2000 over like, 10+ years...No big deal
Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.
FrankieSpankie3388
Hockey Nut
+243|6969|Boston, MA

phishman420 wrote:

FrankieSpankie3388 wrote:

phishman420 wrote:


The thing is that you're only saving a few bucks, and it takes 10x as long...
You'd actually be surprised. Yes, only a few bucks for your regular conventional oil. Next time ask for fully synthetic and magically it's mystical oil that came from the moon and costs a shit ton more.
Because synthetic costs the same as regular at a store...
Uhh, of course it doesn't... However, it's only a couple bucks more at a store where if you go to a garage, you're paying at least $25 more... Most garages won't even use your oil if you try to bring it to them either.
phishman420
Banned
+821|6120

FrankieSpankie3388 wrote:

phishman420 wrote:

FrankieSpankie3388 wrote:


You'd actually be surprised. Yes, only a few bucks for your regular conventional oil. Next time ask for fully synthetic and magically it's mystical oil that came from the moon and costs a shit ton more.
Because synthetic costs the same as regular at a store...
Uhh, of course it doesn't... However, it's only a couple bucks more at a store where if you go to a garage, you're paying at least $25 more... Most garages won't even use your oil if you try to bring it to them either.
A couple of bucks per quart...

It pretty much evens out.
Roger Lesboules
Ah ben tabarnak!
+316|7016|Abitibi-Temiscamingue. Québec!
Nothing easier you can do on a car than that. exept maybe refilling the Washer Fluid. Oil...it burn well in a campfire tbh...filter not as much, so dispose of it via trash...or if you can bring it somewhere they take it do it.
Reciprocity
Member
+721|7019|the dank(super) side of Oregon
Synthetic oil in an older engine isn't always good.
Slarty
Member
+37|6403|Ingerland
Ultimately it depends on;

The car,
The owner,
The owners inclinations.

If you're average joe owning an average car then sure, take it to a garage/service place.

I own a tuned MR2 Turbo. It uses ester based synthetic oil (seriously, not the usual synthetic shit they try to sell you) and I'm a qualified and competent mechanic. When I change the oil on my car, I know it's been done correctly, the correct parts have been used and I care about the job.

The average spanner monkey at a garage doesn't give a flying fuck if the filter was lubricated, or if the sump plug washer was replaced etc. Plus when I do it, the labour is free
Volatile
Member
+252|7143|Sextupling in Empire

https://www.ihatebillboards.com/wp/img//2008/08/fight_club-0.jpg
Stingray24
Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy
+1,060|6884|The Land of Scott Walker
Always change it myself after the one time I took it in during the winter.  The idiot went crazy w/ his airgun and my oilpan has leaked at the plug ever since.  Extremely slow leak, but it's still annoying.  As others have mentioned, the numbnuts that populate most of the cheap oil change outfits can't even do it right.  As far as synthetic, check out Amsoil.
SgtHeihn
Should have ducked
+394|6926|Ham Lake, MN (Fucking Cold)
Don't do it yourself if your car is still under warranty, you will void it if you do. Plus check on your local laws on the disposal of used motor oil and if it is even legal to work on your vehicle at your home (most places it is illegal to do it on the road)

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