This is my first car, and I have a newfound love for cars. I am debating whether to change the oil myself or get it done somewhere. Are there any tutorials to do this, as i have no experience? I just bought two filters from the dealership, and am planning to use synthetic oil. If i dont do it myself, would it be ok to take it to Meineke or something like that as long as i give them the filter? Ideally i would like to do it myself to learn more about the car and save money. What else needs to be done during an oil change? Thanks. Yes, im a newbie

 

It's pretty straight forward. Just make sure you take out the oil plug (forward) and not the transmission fluid plug (aft plug).

 

what tools will i need...all i have now is the filter and oil. Also, can the filter be accessed from the bottom or do i have to move the coolant tank? Thanks. What kind of oil do you use by the way?

 

I just did mine lastnight, would put in Mobile 1 but short of cash so decided to go with Valvoline Fully Synthetic 5W30
oils. As far as tool goes, there isn't any special tools needed to do this job. All you need is to get a oil filter remover
that you could buy from Wal-Mart or other auto parts store and a socket ranch I believe it's size 17. My filter was easy
spot from the hood.

Use a flat screw driver to remove the cover from the bottom so you can see the oil drain plug. I prefered to take the
filter off from the top because that's how I did it. I'm sure some folks likes to do it from under the engine.


Jimmy

 

I would suggest you move the coolant take - that makes it soooo easy to pull the filter from the top of the car instead of on your back where oil falls in your face.

5w30 or 0w40... mobil 1 synth for me

 

I removed mine from the top w/ out moving the coolant tank.

 

I get it done at WalMart. They charge under $30 for up to 5 quarts synthetic. I supply the filter.

 

yeh so have I, but it's kind of a PITA. One day I removed the coolant tank
(took about 2 minutes) and wow - I could stick my head in there if I needed to.

 

i used to change it myself first couple of times. then it wasn't fun anymore getting down there trying to unscrew the drain plug getting oil all over. it's much better to change the filter from the top rather than from under the car though.

btw, how often should you change oil if using synthetic oil?

 

I change every 10,000 mi.