In true OzB fashion, I thought to start doing my own engine oil and filter changes to save on money and learn a new skill. Having looked on various online tutorials, some people change out the whole filter canister, while others appear to change the actual filter (the one with pleated fins which looks yellow and like its made out of paper) - are these pretty much interchangeable? Thanks in advance for your replies
DIY Oil Changes
inasero on 31/10/2020 - 13:38
Comments
depends on the car you have. Most toyota, like camry has the cartridge style filter which requires specials tools, most other cars use canister filter which is easier to replace. just stick with whatever is OEM as they were designed that way.
I don't think you can choose one type over the other. You have to use the type for the car/engine.
Great to learn a new skill, but be careful you don't compromise safety.
Get a professional to guide you/look over what you've done if possible. A service is not simply "dropping oil and spinning filters" any more than going to the GP is "taking temperature and blood pressure". There is a lot more in the way of safety checks and road tests that require a fair bit of skill and expertise to correctly inspect and diagnose!
Yep all great points! Still going to take it in to the mechanic every other service to make sure they do all the other fluid and safety checks that I'm not able to do myself, just thought that now my vehicles getting older and high in mileage it doesn't make sense to pay to bring it in to the mechanic every 6 months when I could do a basic oil and filter change myself
Disagree. Modern cars generally only require BASIC maintenance- filters and oil. Diagnostics mean squat until there is a problem and you can DIY car scan tools anyway.
Older cars, especially with carbs required a bit of nous to understand and manage (let alone perfect) but that’s a lost art for most mechanics too nowadays.
If you’re handy, have a car that doesn’t require logbook service stamps, there is no reason a somewhat capable person shouldn’t be able to keep their car in as good or better condition than a mechanic can.
Plus, the added benefit of mechanical sympathy. It’s a win on all fronts for OP.
It does depend a little on the amount of time tour mechanic spends inspecting the car. Sticking it up on abhoist also makes it a lot easier to inspect suspension and brake components. A experienced mechanic should also take a quick drive and be able to spot things that are not quite right and warn of what will be due in the next service.
While I agree that DIY fluid changes save money if you have very little mechanical ability or sympathy (but enough to change oil) getting a mechanic to inspect reasonably regularly will help.
Two different types of filters for two different applications. It will depend on your vehicle and what filter is used for it. Typically, a spin on filter and cartridge filter are not interchangeable, as they are mounted totally different. What ever your car needs, you have to replace it with like for like. Start by getting on a website like Ryco and putting your vehicle in and it will give you a list of filters (oil, air, pollen, fuel, etc) and you can usually cross reference from there.
Next, always buy a new sump plug washer, because old ones may be ok to use, but for the $3, why risk it. And learn the correct torque for the sump plug and buy a torque wrench that will work for that torque setting.
Lastly, learn some more about oils and go with what the manufacturer recommends. If it needs 5w30, dont be putting 20w50 in because it was "cheaper". Also look at the oil specification that your vehicle requires. No use buying oil that is not rated high enough because "save a few dollars". Also, know how much you need. Dont buy 4l if your car is going to need 7l.
Buy yourself a drain tub and some rags. You are going to make a mess the first time. And don't be the butthole that throws their waste oil in the household rubbish. Dispose of it correctly. Take it to a recycling centre or your local Supercheap or council depot. They will most likely have the disposal facilities to take your waste oil.
learn the correct torque for the sump plug and buy a torque wrench that will work for that torque setting
Can you tell my previous mechanic this? I wrecked the head of the damn thing trying to loosen it (using the correct tool). They must have torqued it up with an impact driver set for wheel studs!
Probably the difference between a real mechanic and a filter spinning monkey. It’s all multi-hex sockets and rattle guns…
The solution is a fumoto valve
Just remember “lefty loosely, righty tighty”. You don’t want to strip the sump bolt.
except when you're looking at a bolt or nut 180° back to front or upside down - This one catches even the best mechanics out from time to time.
When was the last time you saw a left threaded sump bolt on a passenger vehicle? My 25 years as a mechanic says never, but I'm willing to learn.
When viewed from the back or at certain angles, bolts and nuts can sometimes appear to "not want to come off" - you're turning CCW from your POV but from the POV of the bolt, you're turning CW and doing it up instead of loosening it. More common perhaps on motorcycles where you're often reaching around or under to fiddle with threads.
You don’t want to strip the sump bolt.
Also, get a torque wrench. Especially if you have a plastic bolt.
I don't even want to have to remember that. I just pay someone to do it. When I buy bread I don't ask the baker what the quirks of his oven is, what direction does he turn the knob to make it hotter or colder. I don't really want to know the quirks of my own car either. Cars save you time when travelling compared to public transport and the car claws some of that time back from you by requiring you to remember things like "lefty loosely, righty tighty".
Fair enough, but there's something inherently satisfying about learning how to do something yourself even if you don't save that much time or money.
I installed my own cruise control on my car, and also learnt how to detail it, and that was pretty satisfying
Yeah it is nice to not be beholden to someone who knows your machine better than you. But did you buy a car to learn it or to drive it. If you caught the bus would you feel right about needing training to change the oil on the bus every now and then. It's kind of a hassle, OP had to go look up how to do it, and he's still got more questions after his research. This approach is fine if you plan on living forever.
@AustriaBargain: Why are you on ozbargain if you have all this money to spend on every little thing? Or do you have a will of knowledge that you might forget if you learn some minor thing outside your field of speciality? I'm a mechanic, but I've learnt basic computer coding and still have time and inclination to build retaining walls and landscape my yard. Yes it takes more time than a professional but it is enjoyable to achieve something at the end of the day and not play homer the sanitation man
@Brian McGee: I don't and I usually do do things myself. But you have to draw the line somewhere. You can't learn everything about everything. And you'll never be as good as someone who has done thousands of oil changes across their life, someone who can spot problems you'd miss. For me it's oil changes, for you it might be not bothering to darn your socks or throwing away broken things instead of researching individual parts to repair them.
@AustriaBargain: I think where each individual draws their line on how much they're willing to learn depends on a whole lot of factors including past experience, comfort with risk, previous training, curiosity, etc. Barring obvious things like performing surgery (which requires years of dedicated training under supervision, and preparing for complications), alot of the time one can't make a judgement on others about whether something is worthwhile outsourcing - only that person can decide for themselves.
It's possible to disagree with someone without shitting on their preferences (which is what I feel you might be doing unintentionally).
For the record I've looked into the potential problems I could miss by doing my own oil changes and as I mentioned previously, I felt this was something that could be mitigated by retaining my mechanic for every alternate service (i.e every 12 months). To me this is a reasonable compromise between desiring to learn some new skills and saving money vs. having a professional look over on occasion. For someone else like yourself, they might be more comfortable outsourcing that risk (albeit minor) to a professional, which is also completely understandable. Also I've looked into the process of changing the oil and filter and feel comfortable enough to try it out on my own (and in fact many others do so on a regular basis) - it's not exactly rocket science.
Life is a process of taking calculated risks and challenging yourself, and learning new skills and bettering yourself and others for it. For example, maybe you could ask your baker how to bake that perfect crusty loaf? You might discover a whole new passion or hobby you never knew you had
You ever, I dunno, use a tap to get some water? Same thing.
It's cute that you think a master mechanic with decades of experience is doing your car service rather than a junior apprentice trying to impress by churning through the work as fast as possible 😄 I've been servicing my cars myself for the last 25 years and can guarantee that I care more about the work I perform on my own vehicle than some rando. It's so much easier now with abundant online manuals and forums to walk you through it. On the odd occasion where I had to use a mechanic due to warranty / smash repair I've too frequently discovered additional damage, missing bits etc.
I highly recommend that you take this on, it isn't just for oil changes - I expect you would use it a million times over a lifetime. You can still pay someone experienced whenever possible, but you don't have to try to deliberately remain ignorant.
Don't forget the always forgotten about cabin filter!
Or, just do what most good mechanics do, buy one, charge the customer for one, charge them for fitting it, never fit it and throw it in the bin…
I had to laugh at one of my services, they suggested a cabin filter service for like 80 or 90 bucks. Bought one online for 15 and did it myself in 2 minutes…. biggest fkn scam going that shit.
Download your vehicle's service manual and learn how to check and top all the other fluids as well.
Don't listen to the negativity from Austria bargain.
Do everything you are comfortable doing, it's a great way to save money and get satisfaction as you said.
Plus one you've done it once, you can do it forever. Oil and filter changing is the easiest thing to do and there's no need for a mechanic to do such simple things for you.Google and YouTube is your best friend
Another poster suggested to learn a bit about oils - this is very true when it comes to choosing synthetic vs organic.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking synthetic is simply better and don't think it's safe to change from an organic oil to fully synthetic oil simply by doing a oil and filter change. YMMV, but usually this approach, especially on an older vehicle, will have bad repercussions.
Do some research and if you are going to consider changing from OEM recommendations, do so only after a lot of research.Not much can go wrong with an oil filter change, definitely give it a crack.
Expect to make a mess first time but that should be about as bad as it can be.
I don't even lift the car of the ground anymore to do oil and filter change, its really easy and quick.If you have a cartridge-style oil filter, I'd also recommend getting a fluted oil filter cup wrench tool. There are various types of oil filter removal tools, but generally the fluted cup style is best and easiest to use, particularly if your filter is difficult to access and you have little elbow room. Just make sure you get the right size for the oil filter cartridge you have, as they come in different diameters and number of flutes. Wherever you buy your filter (SCA, Autobarn, Repco, etc.) will be able to sell you a removal tool to suit.
it depends on the vehicle. my audi has the paper, and my honda you change the whole thing. its very easy to change oil. i would recommend buying ramps you can just drive up, its so easy and worth the time and hassle saved.
You can do your own oil and filter changes and save some money. Invest in decent tools and you can do this for years. Worth looking at your service schedule and do some of the other simple checks and replacements as you get more confidence. The other thing that happens when you do it yourself is that you start to get familiar with the underside of your car. You will start to notice if there are wet of oily bits that can show problems etc.
Wow, so many people over complicate an oil change.
An oil change in general requires two tools, a spanner (or socket and wrench) to remove the sump bolt, and yourself.
Oil changes are easy. Best to do it when the car is warm but not too hot as the oil thins out when hot, helps it flow out better. Undo sump bolt, drain oil, put sump bolt back in (ideally torque but you’ll generally get a feel of what is tight enough, don’t get a 10ft pole and tighten it or you’ll snap the bolt, haha), change filter, fill oil. Most common mistake is forgetting to put the sump bolt in and having your fresh oil all over the floor.
It’s good to check other things such as bushes and boots while you’re under the car.
Use the manufacturers recommended weight. If your car has high mileage, consider going slightly thicker. Eg - if your recommended weight is 5w30, this is when the car is new. If your car has done 150,000kms, consider using a 5w40. A slightly thicker oil can help protect as your engine will have wear and tear by that stage.
Get your car serviced occasionally. Your car has other fluids that need checked and changed, along with bushes, bearings etc, but you’ll save yourself money not having to get it serviced every time it’s due for an oil change.
There’s a satisfaction doing work on your own car, and you learn lots along the way. Why pay someone to do it when you can learn to do it yourself
What are some of the other routine maintenance items I could easily learn to do myself (e.g. transmission fluid, brakes, spark plugs, battery) and which are ones which I should leave up to the mechanic?
I suggest you get a workshop manual for your car and read through the scheduled maintenance items. You'll quickly see which things are not too difficult and worth having a go at. Once you see how easy they were, you will have more confidence in tackling more complex tasks. Moreover, by reading the manual you'll get to know your car a lot better, and will be more able to diagnose (and sometimes fix) problems when they arise.
Any oil. Transmission fluid i would strongly suggest to buy from the dealer if you have a more modern car- many autos are extremely sensitive to their fluids.
Brake pads and rotors are easy to do, as are belts, Greases, sensors, etc. but if you just learn how to change all the oils, that’s a big chunk done. You also need just a basic set of tools to do those.
The workshop manual is a good idea.
Read your owners service manual. Will list everything needed for each service. If the list includes stuff you are not confident to do, get your mechanic to do that, and you do the oil changes…
Handy hint: read and note extreme conditions and if you do here adjust accordingly. Stop/start city driving is often considered extreme.
Before doing anything, get safety sorted.
2 jackstands placed on appropriate lifting points, 2 wheel chooks, work on a level surface, everything good to go. If you removed a wheel, put it under the car as extra safety insurance.
For PPE, eye protection at minimum because you are going to deal with warm engine oil or other oil substance not compatible with your organs. Lots of water-based skin lotion for easy hand cleaning and super smooth skin.
If you live in remote parts of the world you have to do a lot of things yourself, vehicle maintenance is one of them.
Most modern engines only have the filter paper for environmental reasons. Some aftermarket sell the whole canister as a kit. Go OEM