I'm 27 and just changed my own engine oil for the first time

peewinkle · 1 year

Good for you, it's not too hard, it it?

As a mechanic, I just want to note that when you change your own oil, be sure to use a proper-fitting socket/ratchet or wrench--- About every two weeks or so, I have someone bring their car in to have me remove a head-stripped drain plug, because they used a pair of channel locks or vice grips to try and remove the drain plug.

Also, don't over-tighten the filter or the drain plug. With the filter spin it on until it is finger-tight, and then another 1/2 turn with a strap wrench (or by hand, if you have a good grip). With the drain plug, a good rule of thumb is tighten to finger tight, and then tighten about 3/4 more of a turn with a wrench (if oil pan is iron) or 1/4 turn (if oil pan is aluminum).

Also inspect the plug gasket to make sure it's in decent condition (No cracks, tears, etc) and make sure the oil filter gasket is on the old filter, sometimes they like to stick to the flange and stay on the engine, and you end up with two filter gaskets, which obviously isn't a good thing.

edit- after reading some of the other replies, Kitty Litter works PURRFECTLY for cleaning up oil spills/messes on the pavement. Cover the oil with kitty litter, let sit overnight, sweep up the next day. Also, most auto-parts stores and quick lubes will take your old oil. (They collect and and sell it to recyclers for around a buck a gallon).

civildefense · 1 year

did you get any oil on the driveway?

mszelis · 1 year

Now you know why people pay for it. Probably against the DIY mentality, but with a coupon at your local shop, you can get it done pretty cheap.

live_and_let_live · 1 year

congrats! it feels good, doesn't it? : )

aphexmandelbrot · 1 year

Go buy a Hayes manual. Those are useful for pretty much all basic repairs.

If you're really serious about doing auto stuff -- or at least getting an idea about what's involved for something like "I have to replace my compressor, I'm seriously College-Poor, and I've got enough money for this unit on eBay (or at your local auto store) and not much else" -- go to your favorite Torrent site and locate the AllData for your car.

You'll need the viewing program and the file for your car. The file will be rather large.

QAOP_Space · 1 year

now buy an oil drain tap and make the process a lot simpler next time... http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

bleuarg · 1 year

What do you do with the used oil?

Digg1 · 1 year

Its great, the only problem is the paranoid feeling you get driving around wondering if you did it right :P

el_pinata · 1 year

Next up, learn to change your spark plugs!

moghua · 1 year

That was about the age when I decided it wasn't worth it and stopped. :)

crashwhack · 1 year

Not to make a big deal of it, but at 27 I changed the engine(not the oil), of my car. Had an old Volvo P-1800(1965), that didn't run, so I found a similar car rusting in a weedy field, and bought it cheaply, switched out the engines, and within hours had a functioning sports car that could top 100 MPH easily. Just had to remove , and then hook up the mounts, electrical stuff, and the fuel line, etc, and off we went! My only previous experience was building a go-kart from a mower engine, with help from a welder. dr/tl...You can do ANYTHING!!!!

JinMarui · 1 year

You'll probably be better off doing it yourself with higher quality synthetic for the same price as getting someone else to do it. Don't forget to change your oil filter. It should be done every time and doesn't cost that much more. Just make sure you get one you (have researched and) know is a good brand. Bosch and Mobil1 are good from my own experience, as well as K&N if you have more money than sense.

Just don't go cheap for the sake of going cheap. A shitty oil filter will clog and cause your engine to go into bypass, which is basically the same as not having an oil filter at all.

Edit: I should also mention that synthetic is obviously more expensive than conventional oil and once you go synth, you can't go back. (Jiffy Lube will put in conventional if you don't tell them otherwise) Synth blends can be used if you're not certain what you have, but going from conventional to synthetic can dissolve your clogged leaks and make your engine piss oil if it's not in decent shape.

Off_my_Lawn_youngun · 1 year

Good for you. Feels satisfying, doesn't it?

play3393 · 1 year

Congratulations on finding your balls.

bizfamo · 1 year

i was going to do my first one today, but its almost 100 degrees outside, so i paid someone to do it again. random that this was here. congrats

ianingf · 1 year

Awesome. My next step after oil change was fuel filter. I still need to replace the spark plugs my self.

The first time I replaced the fuel filter a coworker helped me because it was corroded and irremovable. The second time I got it off no problem and then spent a few minutes inspecting. That's when all the gas that was still in the engine decided to pour out on to the left side of my face and head. That was the worst afternoon/evening I've ever had.

nixcamic · 1 year

27 years is a long time to go without changing your oil, aren't you supposed to change your oil every year?

eclectro · 1 year

For those that don't know, for small cars this is the wrench you go with. it's one of the things that is better/cheaper than what autozone/checker carries (last time I checked).

waltonky · 1 year

I'm 22 and have yet to do this. Always wanted to learn.

isaacs · 1 year

i got a free car, my first car, yes! my friend gave me a geo metro "I´m sorry" said the murray´s girl. it leaked 1 quarter of oil every day, it cost 1 dollar every day to replace it, it was a bargain because I had to pay 2.5 for the bus. so, I was saving money. then i decide to fix the leak.. paid 40 in parts and fixed it, reallyi just read the manual, opened the motor and replaced the gaskets, (along with takin apart the timing belt and everything arround it). 2 days later i had it running without the leak. not bad for somebody that never had a car before.

melanthius · 1 year

You should bleed your brake lines next (do this with a friend). It's easy as long as you can jack up your car and take off your wheels. It is easily one of the most overlooked maintenance tasks. Doing this at least once a year will improve brake pedal feel and also make your car a lot safer especially in hot weather or at altitude, because fresh brake fluid has a much higher boiling point than old brake fluid. (Boiling brake fluid = squishy brake pedal) Old brake fluid absorbs water gradually, which is responsible for the degradation in performance.

While you're at it, for amazing improvement in brake pedal feel and response, replace your brake lines with stainless steel lines. They are much stiffer than stock brake lines so they don't flex as much, and give you even better brake response. One of the best improvements I've made to my car.

one_wicked_element · 1 year

Awesome! It's the smallest goals that mean the most. =)

lowrads · 1 year

Meant to do it this weekend, but I need to replace the little bolt on mine. The last guy I paid to do it (it was raining all week and due) stripped the hell out of it with his pneumatic wrench.

[deleted] · 1 year

hell i've still never changed mine and i'm 27 too

fernweh · 1 year

I'm 36 and just changed my oil and spark plugs for the first time as well under the guidance of an experienced friend. Easier than I thought but messy.

hagela · 1 year

You should get a decent grease gun and lubricate the chassis. It'll cut down on the squeaking over bumps. The hardest part will be getting to the grease fittings but you just stick it on and pump

[deleted] · 1 year

Brake pads and rotors are stupid easy as well! I've never attempted drum brakes, but hear they're not so bad.

Daesleepr0 · 1 year

I changed the fuel pump in the blazer... again... (4th time, Airtex is shit)

Any advice I can give is if you do a maintenance item like a fuel pump, alternator, or starter, don't go cheap, get the good parts it will be worth it.

HornlessUnicorn · 1 year

good jerb!

pcywmf · 1 year

I'm 25 and planned to do this earlier this year but the amount of work to get the plastic panel of the under-body meant I gave up after 2 sweaty, oily hours of fail. I'm sure that in a few more years/cars there will be almost nothing that I need to/am able to maintain on my car.

[deleted] · 1 year

I'm 30 and have never changed my own engine oil. All I know is I'd have to get under the car... other than that, no idea.

duckfighter · 1 year

I was 22 when i wanted to change the brakes on my car. Result: nondrivable car. Brake fluid everywhere because i broke the hydralic lines. Conclusion: A manual does not make you a mechanic.

I hated that car. It was a good day when i smashed it.

cartooncorpse · 1 year

That's hilarious. You're digressing. I USED to do ALL of that for HOURS years ago. It's more EFFICIENT to have others do it now. Theory of batch processing. Makes civilization work. As oppossed to chick 'buisinesses'. They love stupid useless shit like crafts and greeting cards. Crush them.

gx6wxwb · 1 year

I'm in my thirties and I've never even owned a car, never mind changing any oil.

Exedous · 1 year

It's almost not even worth changing your own oil. Oil will run you what, $15? I've seen coupons for oil changes in the mail for $19.99.

Xevo · 1 year

Well gooohly, you is all growd up ain't cho? My first car was a 55' chevy, with a blown up 6 cylinder, got it for 50 bucks, my father taught me how to rebuild the motor and i didn't pay to have someone else to change my oil till i was in my 40's. The idea is if you can't work on your won stuff, you don't need it or deserve it...my oh my, how times have changed.But i guess you are to be congratulated...why im not sure, but good job sonny.

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