To this point I have always taken my car to the dealership to change oil. However, I would like to start changing it myself, but I have never done it before. I would like someone to change it for me while I watch so I can learn, also I do not have the tools to do it.

Of course I am willing to pay a fee to do this. Would strongly prefer someone close to Fairfax, VA. Post or PM me please, thanks.

 

Yeah, I need to do my first oil change in the next week or two as well. Maybe someone wants to put on a mini-tech session for first-time oil changers?

- Jeremy (jnn4v)

 

Jeremy,

We can do a regular oil change when you come over on the 25th to do the other fluids. All you'll need is the oil, filter and washer.

YeLLoWs2knVA,

I'm doing a tech day Saturday September 17 (MD Tech Day Link). We are doing other fluids, but there is no reason we couldn't throw in a regular oil change as well. I'm in Ellicott City, it will be a bit of a hike from Fairfax, but you're more than welcome to come up. On September 25 I am helping Jeremy change the fluids in his car, you could could come up that day, if it would work out better for you.

John

 

Get a Fumoto Valve and it will be really easy to do your own oil change. You could do it without lifting the car up if you have a low profile pan. Do a search on it and you will find a lot of threads about it.

 

Do you have recommendations on what oil and filter to buy? Also, any ideas on where to buy them? What about the washer?

- Jeremy (jnn4v)

 

Jeremy,

I buy mine from Hardtopguy.com. I use the Honda Oil filter, most everyone seems to think that is the one to use. They also have the washer.

I use Mobil 1. Some folks believe that you should wait till 10,000 miles before switching to synthetic. Check the Oil Journals if you want to see what the experts recomend.

John

 

Honda oil filter and Mobil 1 is the way to go. I recently changed my oil, and don't have to do it for a month or so, otherwise, I'd have you guys over to do it. Very easy to do, and not many tools required. I usually order the filter and washer from online, and I get a case of Mobil 1 at Sam's club for 20, or 21 bucks.

 

So what do people generally do for their first change? I'm going to be right around 5,000 miles when I change it, so I guess I should wait until next time to use Mobil 1.

- Jeremy (jnn4v)

 

Jeremy,

A lot of folks have strong opinions on this. The most frequent thing I hear is to wait 10,000 miles to make the switch to synthetic. However, I couldn't find any reference in the owners manual or shop manual instructing one to wait that long, so I didn't. I did my first oil change at about 3600 miles and put Mobil 1 in it. I did my second oil change at 6000 miles using Mobil 1. I use no oil whatsoever at 7600 miles.

Mobil 1 doesn't seem to have hurt my car - even switching to it at 3600 miles. Check around the under the hood forum and see what others have to say on this.

I obviously don't think it would hurt to change to it early, but only time will tell. It definitely can not hurt to wait till 10k if you have any doubts. The oil journals had some recomendations for what to use (other than Mobil 1) at the first oil change.

John

 

I just spent the past 2 hours reading about engine oils on that thread you linked to. I came up with no useful information. It's really frustrating. Each thread talks about a different oil, usually recommending it. Then half the people say "well, I'm going to use Mobil 1 anyway" or "I'll never stop using Redline" even though the thread had nothing to do with those oils. RoadRage himself seems to have changed his opinion on recommended oils half a dozen times over the course of the threads. So I have no clue what oil(s) are good or not.

Also, I couldn't find anything in there about not changing to synthetic before 10,000 miles. Any ideas why that's important or links to threads that discuss it?

- Jeremy (jnn4v)

(if I sound frustrated, it's because I am)