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>>>> Was wondering what oil people used? I am new to changing it myself, and plan on using mann filters. What other stuff shoud I do when I change the oil?>>>>
I also use Mobil 1 10w30, cost ~ $22 after tax at Wal-Mart for 5 quarts (you actually only need either 4 or 4.5 quarts), Mann filters (really a bargain, only $4 or $4.50 each), and a new copper crush ring each time (~ $0.50), so ~ $27 or so. For comparison's sake, at the quick lube shop near my work, they charge $55 for a basic change with Mobil 1, and that's with a generic filter and probably no crush ring. When you buy your filters, buy as many copper rings as you buy filters, so you'll always have one when you do an oil change.
Anyway, here's the steps I do when I change my oil, it's pretty basic but it's what I do:
I first pull my car up onto ramps. You don't need ramps, but it makes life easier. After laying down a few sheets of newspaper, I unscrew the drain plug while holding up the catch basis, after 4 or 5 seconds the flow slows down and I can set the basin on the ground. When this has slowed down I unscrew the filter (again holding a second catch basin up), I've never had any trouble taking it off by hand. If your filter is really stuck, just stab it with a screwdriver and use that as leverage to get it to twist off, you don't need those fancy oil filter grabbers (and yes, I have a turbo which is supposed to be hard to get the filter off of). Anyway, catch the oil from that, let the car sit with two catch basins catching the oil for 20 minutes or so.
While this is draining I get an empty plastic soda bottle (either 2 liter or 24 ounce, whatever size), cut the top third off, and give it a quick wash and then thoroughly dry it. This is my funnel when I will add the oil later, it works great.
Then I get back underneath and dip a fingertip into the used oil and rub it around the gasket (the rubber part) of the new filter, then put that on the car, hand tightening it as hard as I can. Using a new copper crush ring, I put the bolt back on the oil pan, making sure it's tight, but not using all my force to tighten it, if you know what I mean. Then, using the plastic soda bottle / funnel, I add the oil, pull the car off of the ramps, let it run for 30 seconds or so. After the first oil change, assuming you keep the 1/2 or 1 quart of leftover oil in the jug, you'll have an empty jug. Just pour the waste oil into that (again using the soda bottle funnel), put the cap back on, and the next time you go to Wal-Mart, Autozone, or whereever, take that with you and (at least around here) they'll take it for free.
I change the oil on my Volvo with the Mobil 1 every 3,500 to 4,000 miles. I know that most people change it at longer intervals, I dunno, I just wouldn't feel comfortable changing it any longer than 4,000 miles.
As for what a "lube job" actually entails, I'm not really sure.
By the way, for my '99 Honda Accord, I use Castrol GTX 5W30, with generic Fram filters. I've been trying to find a place to buy Honda filters at a reasonable price (~ $5 or less), haven't found one yet.
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