Alright, this is my first time ever chaniging the oil on a car, so I would appreciate some help. I've changed the oil on waver runners before, so I don't image it's much different. But what are things I need to do, or look out for, or tips for making it easy. Also, where can I dispose of the old oil when I'm done? If you have the time, and feel like doing the typing, a step-by-step would be awesome. I plan to do this tomorrow, or tonight depending on how long it takes to get responses.

I think I'm going with Castrol Syntec 5w30. If you think that's a bad choice feel free to tell me. Don't know much about filters, so that'd also be appreciated. Thanks, fellas!

 

I hate seeing zero responses... so... Castrol 5W30 is good, but doing the syntec is better if the car has over 20,000 miles or so on it. For oil filters, I like to use Fram, but most any are good. Stay away from filters that have treatments like Teflon in them, as they don't do any favors for your car in the long run. For the procedure... it is pretty much self explanitory, but I will throw out a couple of suggestions. Have a good oil filter removal tool. It is hard to get at that son of a gun, so you need one that grips it at the top and lets you turn it from farther away (just take a look down there and you will see what I mean)... if you use the kind that has the handle at the side of the clamp mechanism, you will spend forever making 1/4" moves on it to get it off... Remember that the block is Aluminum, so be careful not to cross thread. Always put a little oil on the threads. Always make sure that the old oil filter's gasket comes off with the old filter, as two gaskets are not better than none. It is a good idea to get the engine up to operating temps before doing the oil change so that if there is any sludge in there, it will flow out with the rest of the oil. Don't burn yourself doing it... Get some jack stands under the car as you will need to jack her up to get at that filter... Now for getting rid of the used oil... Most any auto parts store will take it from you. They may charge you a slight disposal fee, but tell them that "that is okay, I will just dump it out back". They should take it from you free of charge, but I guess that may depend on where you live and the laws there... It is really easy, but I like to take mine in most of the time because they do a good job washing and vacuuming the car out as well, for all of 45 dollars (that is for the Castrol Syntec).

 

he covered it very well...if you want to keep oil filter changes easy, get a K&N because they tac weld a 1" nut on the end u can use a wrench to take the filter off the next time

Most common oils
Royal purple, Castrol, Mobil 1...what most ppl recommend

filters
Mobil 1, K&N, motorcraft (theres nothing wrong with ford)

There's something on this in 4.6 and someone said there's a study showin fram is the least effective at trapping particles, idk myself

1. warm the car up, turn the car off
2. put it on jack stands
3. take the oil pan bolt off and let fluids drain, replace plug
4. wrench off the filter
5. dab your finger in the old oil and run it around the gasket on the filter
6. put the filter back on, hand tight and then a 1/4 turn to make sure its tight
7. 6 quarts of your oil of choice and turn it on and let it run

 

Thanks for the reply's, guys. I ended up having it done at Pep Boys the day after I posted. It was a little cold out, and didn't feel like buying all the stuff needed to do the change just before I put it away for the winter (I figure I'll ask for that stuff for Christmas, that way I don't have to pay for it ).

From what you guys tell me, it is bascially the same thing as doing the oil on a waverunner, only I hope there's a little more room to get your hand in than there is on the Yamaha FX-140's (by far the worst newer Yamaha Waverunner's to do an oil change on).

As for the disposal part, well, if an auto store doesn't take it, then I always have the sewer's as a backup.


^Just kidding, it's a joke. Besides, I wouldn't do it all the time, just like once every month or two...

Thanks again.

 

You guys covered this thread pretty well. I just wanted to point out that one filter to stay away from is Fram. Junk! And, yes, the Ford filter is excellent. I only used Amsoil and Ford filters.