I want to change my own engine oil instead of taking it to some 'specialist' to do the job. I have everything I need in regards to tools and supplies, I know where my oil filter and plug are located, and I am pretty sure I can do this and save $10-15 each time I do it. My question is about getting under the car. My rotundness does not allow me to easily fit under a Toyota Corolla. What is the best way to get under the car in order to change the oil? I can jack it up but that presents two problems to me. One, the safety issue of a 2500 lb car being simply jacked up while a person is under there working on it and two it seems to me that if the car were jacked up then the oil would not completely drain due to it going to the side of the oil tank that is not jacked up. So, what is the best way to get under the car? Thanks in advance.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but how much are you paying for an oil change? Even if you pay $20, do you really save that much once you factor in the cost of the oil and filter? Doesn't 5 quarts of oil tend to cost $10-$15? Factor in another $5.00 or so for the filter and you are out $15 minimum for the materials. You then have to go to the trouble of performing the task which may or may not cause a mess on your driveway or in the garage and then you have to go to the trouble of properly disposing the old oil and filter which you can't simply throw in the garbage can. I used to always change the oil myself, but when I thought about how someone else would do all that for a couple of bucks while I read the newspaper or watched TV, it was, for me, a no brainer.
Drive it out in the street and pull two of the wheels up on the curb -- as I recall Corolla oil filters/ pan are in the middle of the engine. If the oil pan and filter are off to one side -- drive that side up on the curb. If that doesn't work go to Sears and buy a hydraulic jack and stands -- they sell a kit for about 30 bucks.
Agree with bobrek, unless you can get the materials on the cheap, maybe just better get a shop to do it which has the mechanical lift. But I can't really relate too much cause I know someone who gives me free oil change. Having peeps in the auto biz is very underrated.
I don't have to change my on oil, luckily. The BF works at Jiffy Lube. And if he's not available, my dad uses these: RAMPS.
How often do you change your oil? Saving $5-$10 every 2-3 months isn't worth it. The time, effort, clean-up and disposal of the oil cost more than $10. Don't waste your time.
Guys, I have told you I can save $10-15 and all you all do is tell me not to change my own oil, just go to a shop. The cheapest place in town is Walmart and their oil change is now $30 (cheapest) and with tax and disposal fees it comes out to almost $40. I can buy the 5 quarts of oil and filter for less than $20 and sometimes less than $10 (thanks to a friend who works at AutoZone). AutoZone also accepts oil for recycling for free in my area. I'm trying to learn more and more about my car and automobiles in general anyway and I figure this is a good starting point.
Get ramps. If you're going to use a jack...get jack stands. Prepare for mess...especially if you haven't done it before. You're going to get oil everywhere as soon as you loosen the plug, so you might want to get some cat litter to clean it up.
I was just curious how much you were paying for oil changes. I get mine done at dealers for both our cars and after taxes and fees we get out of there for less than $22.00. Of course, we aren't in Arkansas so I obviously can't speak for oil changes there.
This is the first time in recorded history that a woman has demonstrated the benefits of having a boyfriend that works at Jiffy Lube.
Jiffy Lube charges $26.99 for a regular oil change. Unless you wake up extra butt ass early to go get the "early bird special" before work. Let's say you have a newer car with synthetic oil - that's an upcharge of at least $6 per quart So now you're looking at $26.99 plus another $24, so $50.99, plus, they charge a disposal/recycling fee (read your tickets, people). So now it's $53.99, plus tax. It costs $26(ish) for a 5 quart container of synthetic oil from wal-mart plus another $5 for the filter. So for $31 plus tax, you can change your own oil - minus a little inconvenience, and maybe half an hour. Plus, you can do it whenever you want. And when you're done, you can put the dirty oil into the container the new oil came in, and drop it off at that jiffy lube or wal-mart you pass by the next time you leave your house.
Even for the $25 every 3 months you might save for changing your own synthetic oil, it ain't worth it to me. (Besides, how often do you really need to change synthetic oil, once a year?) The best point you make is being able to do it anytime you want. Can't argue with that. But regarding Wal Mart, I go there about every other Saturday to buy misc stuff and always park in the back in the automotive area (convenience and speed). When I notice the oil change line is short, I get it done and it only costs me an extra few minutes. Other times when I'm on sales calls during the day and finish early, I can go by Wal Mart and there is no line at all. But different strokes for different folks in different circumstances.
There are many places you can take used motor oil and dispose of it for free -- plus the comedy factor of Lil Pun trying to change his own motor oil should not be discouraged.
Doing it yourself does give you the piece of mind that it was done correctly. Too many horror stories of techs forgetting the drain plug, reusing old oil, leaving old filters, or simply not doing anything at all and charging you. Different strokes for different folks.
pop your emergency brake. The oil pan should have the hole in a side or corner jack it up from the opposite side. As long as you get the majority of the old oil out you will be fine. If you want to keep doing this you can get a drain pan that would do about three changes so you won't have to dispose of the oil after every change. Hope that helps.
Lil Pun, don't listen to these lazy hobo's. Changing your vehicle oil is a great way to start learning how to work on your own car. You'll get the satisfaction of knowing you did a good job, save money and learn how to take care of your vehicle better. If any of you guys ever see the horror stories floating around the net about Walmart/Jiffy Lube etc.... you would never take your vehicle there again. Not worth the few extra dollars/convenience. Don't use the factory car jack to do a oil change. Invest in either Rhino Ramps or a floor jack similar to this floor jack It's pretty simple. Remove the nut off the oil pan, drain oil, reattach nut on oil pan, remove oil filter, attach new oil filter, pour in new oil. Here's a how to with pictures for a Honda car if you're the visual type. how to change oil step by step Mobile One synthetic can be had for $20 at Walmart + $5 oil filter and you don't have to change your oil till the next 6k to 10k miles or so. If you search online, there are many tests that show Mobile One synthetic is still good even after 10,000 miles. That's why Bmw/Benz recommend 15K oil changes with Mobile One.
You do not need any floor jack, that just makes getting under the car easier and faster. I would not trust my life to a leaky floor jack. Whenever you jack up the car you get 2 jack stands and put them under the subframe. Basically "big metal pieces you will find near the front tires" that look really stong and are connected to the suspension. This is a jack stand Once you slip these things under you car with the e-brake on, you car cannot come down. It also tilts your car backwards and helps get all the oil out of the pan faster.
