How do I change my oil?

Serendipity
Serendipity Posts: 6,975
edited January 2009 in The Clubhouse
Car is a 2000 Nissan Maxima.

I have 4 quarts of Mobil 1 5W-30 oil that I bought, is there anything else I need besides the oil filter? I will pick up one at Pep Boys today.

Also, the car loses a bit of oil (1/8 - 1/4 quart) between oil changes, I can see it leaking out the bottom of the oil pan, but it's a very small leak. Should I be concerned?

Thanks!
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Post edited by Serendipity on
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Comments

  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited January 2009
    Your supposed to change it? Oh no.....
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    bruss wrote: »
    Your supposed to change it? Oh no.....

    Very funny.

    Just don't feel like taking it to a mechanic right now, so I'd like to do it myself.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    If you have to ask..................try to see if there is a Nissan forum on-line. It's pretty hard to do it wrong, but as with all makes of cars some tricks and tips can go a long way to making the job easier.

    I know on my car there is a certain sequence of "events" that need to be done in a particular order to make things go smoothly.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited January 2009
    Drain plug gasket, buncha rags if you don't do it often, drain pan so you can recycle it.

    FWIW, if you've got an oil leak, synthetic's only going to exacerbate it.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    Yes, looking for "tips & tricks" to make this easier. I remember when I did a search Jstas said something about coating the oil filter with oil, is that required?
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  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    Find out where it's leaking from by cleaning it off and then looking carefully. Could be your upper oil pan leaking. I had a 97 Maxima that did the same thing and it has practically the same engine.

    You can also go here for more maxima advice. www.maxima.org
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    Yes, looking for "tips & tricks" to make this easier. I remember when I did a search Jstas said something about coating the oil filter with oil, is that required?
    Just smear a little bit of new oil around the rubber gasket of the new filter.
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    It's a small leak though, the difference barely registers on the dipstick reading (it's always at full everytime I check) - should I be concerned about switching to synthetic?
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited January 2009
    I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for htis, but if you don't know what you're doing, and money is a concern, why not just take it to a Jiffy Lube type place? In general they're cheaper than doing it yourself, or at least the same price, and it takes all of 15 minutes.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    Have you checked to make sure 4Q is enough oil? Also be sure to change the filter; that's more important than the actual oil.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for htis, but if you don't know what you're doing, and money is a concern, why not just take it to a Jiffy Lube type place? In general they're cheaper than doing it yourself, or at least the same price, and it takes all of 15 minutes.

    I don't like the local Jiffy Lube. Just do a search of their BBB complaints...
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  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited January 2009
    don't overtighten the new filter... or you'll pay for it next time.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    Yes, looking for "tips & tricks" to make this easier. I remember when I did a search Jstas said something about coating the oil filter with oil, is that required?

    Just as an example on my oil filter housing there is a drain plug for the filter in addition to the oil pan drain plug.............those are little things that unless you are familar with the car you might not know, etc, etc.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for htis, but if you don't know what you're doing, and money is a concern, why not just take it to a Jiffy Lube type place? In general they're cheaper than doing it yourself, or at least the same price, and it takes all of 15 minutes.
    This is why:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiCAJ8ULnaI
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    PhantomOG wrote: »
    don't overtighten the new filter

    good advice for any oil change. Do it by hand and then just a little snug with a wrench.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Have you checked to make sure 4Q is enough oil? Also be sure to change the filter; that's more important than the actual oil.

    The manual states 4Qq without filter, 4.25Q with filter. I had to add maybe 1/8 quart recently due to the leak, but as stated before it's barely noticeable.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited January 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    I don't like the local Jiffy Lube. Just do a search of their BBB complaints...

    Doesn't have to specifically be Jiffy Lube, plenty of other local shops.

    Don't get me wrong, it's cool that you want to do it yourself, and it's a good skill to learn, but unlike something like doing brakes (where you can save some major money), it's really not worth the hassle.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    The manual states 4Qq without filter, 4.25Q with filter. I had to add maybe 1/8 quart recently due to the leak, but as stated before it's barely noticeable.

    good so you have the owners manual.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    Ok more tips and tricks. Warm the car up some so the oil flows out easier taking more gunk with it but be careful not to burn yourself.

    Disposable Gloves are useful. Lay newspaper/cardboard down as you're likely to make some mess when the filter comes off. Wear old clothes.

    You might need an oil filter wrench if the old one is stuck on (happens sometimes). Use a 6 point wrench/socket on the drain plug instead of 12. On that note use the proper wrench (yours is metric). Dispose of the oil properly...

    Changing oil is easy.
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    Doesn't have to specifically be Jiffy Lube, plenty of other local shops.

    Don't get me wrong, it's cool that you want to do it yourself, and it's a good skill to learn, but unlike something like doing brakes (where you can save some major money), it's really not worth the hassle.

    It's not that I don't completely trust Jiffy Lube/Pep Boys/etc. It's more due to the fact that the small leak recently got my attention...
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for htis, but if you don't know what you're doing, and money is a concern, why not just take it to a Jiffy Lube type place? In general they're cheaper than doing it yourself, or at least the same price, and it takes all of 15 minutes.

    I know how to do it, but like Bob says why bother. It's cheaper/as cheap, and no mess.

    Edit: If you do change it. Take some fresh oil on your finger tip and lube the O ring on the filter before installing it. Fill the filter with oil first if you can;) Nothing like dry firing an engine.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • Motzart
    Motzart Posts: 1,075
    edited January 2009
    How about take off the oil cap and flip the car on it's roof? :D

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,163
    edited January 2009
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    Doesn't have to specifically be Jiffy Lube, plenty of other local shops.

    Don't get me wrong, it's cool that you want to do it yourself, and it's a good skill to learn, but unlike something like doing brakes (where you can save some major money), it's really not worth the hassle.

    I used to change my oil myself all the time until it became a PITA. Put it on jack stands, deal with scrapped knuckles, oil dripping everywhere, plus no where to recycle.

    Now, I buy the M1 synthetic on sale by the case as well as factory recommended oil filters and pay my mechanic to do it. In the end it's about $60 twice a year and I don't have to deal with it. (I only put on 10K miles a year)

    $30 oil
    $15 filter
    $15 labor

    That's my recommendation also.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    Oh yea one thing I forgot to mention- DO NOT FLUSH the engine oil with water. There was a thread on a Mustang forum where a kid thought he could flush his motor by running the garden hose into the crankcase.
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2009
    A 2000 car, with what, 100,000 miles or so? Has it always used Mobil 1? If not, then DON'T use Mobil 1 unless you want to stat burning oil like crazy.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2009
    Remember to put the drain plug back in before filling engine with fresh oil:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2009
    Ricardo,

    It's not burning any oil, it's just losing it in one spot.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2009
    Both my son's Acura and Honda had over 100K and started using Syn oil. No oil leaks or usage.

    See if a local Auto parts store will accepted your used oil. Autozone around here does.

    I have 2 5 gallon cans I fill and empty autozone. I service my Harleys and cars because I do not trust most mechanics.
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  • Mike Kozak
    Mike Kozak Posts: 931
    edited January 2009
    1. open gas door, 2. remove gas cap................never mind, take it to Jiffy Lube
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited January 2009
    I love Speedee Oil change near my place. They change the oil, top off everything else (coolant, washer fluid, etc.), check all brakes, hoses, belts, fix the tire pressure, vaccuum, clean the windshield, etc. for like $25-$30. It would take me 5 hours and likely just as much money for supplies to do all of that. If you value your time and don't already have supplies, just get it done by someone good.
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