Changing the oil

[UltraFlynn]

I'm a complete muppet when it comes to all things mechanical but it's time I pulled my finger out and did some things myself on the car.

I want to change the oil on my car, so my question is .... what am I going to need and how do I do it?

Stuff I think I need:

• jack and axle stands
• new oil
• some sort of tool to undo the sump plug
• something to put the old oil in

Questions:

• What's the procedure for draining the old oil and putting the new in?
• Do I need to jack the car up to do it and does that affect oil drainage?
• What do I put the old oil in?
• What kind of oil do I use? Where do I get it from?
• Do I need any gaskets when replacing the sump plug?
• Do I need a torque wrench when tightening the sump plug?

Then I guess I just take the old oil down the dump where they dispose of it....

All comments gratefully received. I shan't attempt this until I'm happy I know that I've got all the required tools, know exactly what I'm doing and what can go wrong. Thanks all.

[~Rob~]

Stuff I think I need:

• jack and axle stands i used to do mine off a trolley jack, but have recently bought some axel stands so will be using these from now on.
• new oil i use silkolene pro s 5w40, obtainable from Oilman (Opie Oils). he a trader on here iirc.
• some sort of tool to undo the sump plug socket wrench
• something to put the old oil in i use an old oil bottle / container.

Questions:

• What's the procedure for draining the old oil and putting the new in? warm car up, undo sump plug, let oil drain. filter off, empty and throw away. sump plug back in, new filter on, fill up oil.
• Do I need to jack the car up to do it and does that affect oil drainage? should be ok draining whilst jacked up.
• What do I put the old oil in? i use an old oil container.
• What kind of oil do I use? Where do I get it from? as above
• Do I need any gaskets when replacing the sump plug? not that i know of
• Do I need a torque wrench when tightening the sump plug? ideally, but i tighten the plug up till its 'tight' just with a socket wrench.

The main PITA is getting to the filter, its a fu*kin nightmare! real arm twister! other than thats, its quite enjoyable!

[UltraFlynn]

Excellent info. Thanks.

Crikey. I'd forgotten about the filter.

Do you need special tools to change the filter?

[Martin F]

Rob's got it pretty much all there.

You shouldn't need a tool for removing the filter, however sometimes they are barsteward tight and with the location it can be a real nightmare to get any leverage on. I have a three pronged filter removal tool which is pretty much identical to the one in the Toyota manual, once that is on there and tightened up then the filter will come off OK. Its available from Halfrauds and you just need a few extension pieces (12" or so) so that the actual wrench is underneath the car not up by the engine.

You're more than welcome to borrow mine as long as you don't hang onto it for too long.

Another thing is make sure you rub a little bit oil on the rubber seal of the filter if its not already pre-greased (some are some aren't)

[UltraFlynn]

You're assuming that I have a wrench to connect the extension piece to mate.

Thanks for the offer of the borrow, I think I'll decline though. I can't guarantee exactly when I'm going to need it. Plus, I want to get the right tools so that I can do it again.

So it looks like the shopping list needs to include a wrench of some kind, some sort of extension pieces plus this 3-pronged filter removal tool thingy. Can these things be order online or is it better to get down to Halfrauds?

[~Rob~]

i use one of them funny oil filter chain removers. not seen these three pronged thingys before. if its a toyota used tool, it must be easier!

u may want to look into the filter type, ive been meaning to do so for a while. the filter i used last time which was quite large and looked very high quality with loads of orange seals, is now discontinued by toyota. they supplied me with some small, inferior replacement, which they said is being sold in place of this superior discontinued one.
ive heard that a lexus GS3000 filter is well reccomended but not 100% sure...

any one shed any light on this?

[UltraFlynn]

I've got a "funny oil filter chain removers". I used to change the oil of my Mini many many years ago. Actually, thinking about it, I may have lost it...... It rings a dim bell that I used to for some unrelated purpose many many years ago.....

[Martin F]

This is the sort of remover i use

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product...4&r=2205&g=107

Kudos to you Rob if you've managed to use a chain one on our cars and actually get leverage as well, i just found it a major PITA, so bought this one.

Machine Mart is a good place to look for your other bits as well Matt, cheaper than Halfrauds

[~Rob~]

Originally Posted by Martin F

Kudos to you Rob if you've managed to use a chain one on our cars and actually get leverage as well, i just found it a major PITA, so bought this one.

Ahhhhhhh HA! So theres an easier way!!

cant really work out how the hell that oil filter wrench works, may make a purchase though for that price!

[Rajinder]

[ive heard that a lexus GS3000 filter is well reccomended but not 100% sure...

any one shed any light on this?[/QUOTE]

We always use the oil filter for a Lexus V8 and the Land Cruiser. Holds more oil than the standard Supra filter. From Toyota part no. 90915 - 20004 for about ?10.00 including the sump plug washer.