first oil change done

[pickupjason]

My babe p5 just had 1999 miles in it when I brought it to a local shop for oil change. I got mobile 1 5w-30 synthetic from Karagen @ 5 bucks each and oil filter from dealer @ 6.25 each. as well as the gasket.

The mechanic DID have a hard time in getting the oil filter off.. that's why I did not try to do that myself....hehe ...and he put totally 4 quarts of fresh oil into the car.. They charged me 5 bucks for the labor and one buck for disposal the old oil.

since I had the synthetic oil, I plan to do the oil changes at 3500 to 4000 miles interval.

Also, remove the roof rack last Sat....just want to see if it looks better or not...but frankly speaking, I think it looks better with the roof rack ON.. anyway, will keep it off for couple weeks to see if it DOES have influence to the gas efficiency..

next thing to do is short shift.....

oh...a quick question...can the moonroof be tinted as well? I mean our moonroof is different from others... all the moonroofs I saw from other car makers are tinted...but why ours is not?

Jason

 

[blackp5]

i changed my oil for the first time last tuesday.. i bought some ramps... yes the oil filter is a pain to get off, it took me about 30 mins just to get that thing off... good thing was no oil leaked as i was unscrewing it... he put 4 quarts of oil? the capacity in the manual says 3.7 quarts with the change of oil filter and 3.4 without.. i'm planning on doing short shifter and bushing soon too

 

[ZoomZoomH]

auto zone or advance auto parts should have ramps

look for th plastic Rhino Ramps, they are longer and won't bump into the P5's front bumper

 

[ZoomZoomH]

they're like those rubbery plastic (does that make it rubber?) and they're one solid piece, so they are grippy and very sturdy.

I seen them at Wal-Mart for $29.99, so figure about the same at any other store...

I am going to get a set for my next oil change, jacking car up just for oil change is a pain in the nutz

 

[kidkorrupt]

hah, yeah...

you need a special wrench to get it off its only $8.

link:

http://www.performancebuyers.com/home.html?carLineID=60

 

[ZoomZoomH]

those yellow housecleaning rubber gloves are your friends

 

[digitalpro5]

Ok dumb question, but if you put the car on the ramp, wouldn't it be tilted. What I'm getting at is weither all the oil will drip out of the car and into the pan. I plan on doing the oil change myself next time and using ramps so, I was just worried if some of the old oil would stay in the car.

Just got my oil change last Thursday for the first time but I had it done at an oil change place, $34, saved me some money compared to Mazda Dealership that was $49

 

[ZoomZoomH]

actually, having the pan tilted will make the oil drain better, as the plug actually points toward the back of the car, so lifting the front up will in fact make it drain more thorough...

 

[blackp5]

i got the grey rhino ramps from walmart for 29.99... i think they'll be useless once i lower the car though because they only have like 2 inches of room before it touches the bumper

the ramps move very little.. i had a little trouble driving up them the first time because i was i afraid i would go over the ramp and mess up the car but i didn't...

 

[ZoomZoomH]

yeah it has a pretty thick edge at the top of the ramp to prevent you from rolling off the top

yeah if you are going to lower the car even further than what it is now you'll want to consider the extended running board technique suggested

 

[WaatDaHell]

Ok dumb question, but if you put the car on the ramp, wouldn't it be tilted. What I'm getting at is weither all the oil will drip out of the car and into the pan. I plan on doing the oil change myself next time and using ramps so, I was just worried if some of the old oil would stay in the car.

Just got my oil change last Thursday for the first time but I had it done at an oil change place, $34, saved me some money compared to Mazda Dealership that was $49

That much for an oil change? You shouldn't pay more than $20 for an oil change, especially a non-luxury/high performance car. Most prices should be around $15. Firestone near my house charges $16 while Purrfect Auto charges $10 with a coupon. I get mine free because my bro-in-law is a mechanic, but he charges $10-15 for cheaper cars like ours. And believe it or not, dealers send him cars for oil changes. He charges the dealers $30, then the dealer charges the customer $50. Yup, a lot of times, the dealer doesn't even do the work.

 

[blackp5]

That much for an oil change? You shouldn't pay more than $20 for an oil change, especially a non-luxury/high performance car. Most prices should be around $15. Firestone near my house charges $16 while Purrfect Auto charges $10 with a coupon. I get mine free because my bro-in-law is a mechanic, but he charges $10-15 for cheaper cars like ours. And believe it or not, dealers send him cars for oil changes. He charges the dealers $30, then the dealer charges the customer $50. Yup, a lot of times, the dealer doesn't even do the work.

when i went to the dealer to get the oil changed they said $34.95 plus waiting time would be 1.5 hrs so i was like screw that.. bought the oil filter for like $8.60 and 4 quarts of oil for around $2 each and did it myself.. it would have been less than $20 for the stuff but i bought the ramps and other misc. parts

 

[blackp5]

what kind of boards should i use to get my car up the ramps? i tried using a wood board but it cracked.. my car is seriously too low w/ the spool springs

 

[Kansei]

I guess this is related.. later today I'll be doing a mobil 1 change (i arleady have it but this is the first time doing it myself). I have jackstands to put the car up on, I think the only tool I'll need is an oil filter wrench (unless I can find a store that stocks K&N oil filters since I thought I remember them having a hex head on the end to make it easier to get off). I paid 19.98 for 5 quarts of Mobil 1 and under 5 dollars for a Purolator filter last time. Much cheaper to do it yourself. I'm gonna make this "routine car maintenance day" and check all my fluids and stuff.

 

[20EVOLUTION01]

I guess this is related.. later today I'll be doing a mobil 1 change (i arleady have it but this is the first time doing it myself). I have jackstands to put the car up on, I think the only tool I'll need is an oil filter wrench (unless I can find a store that stocks K&N oil filters since I thought I remember them having a hex head on the end to make it easier to get off). I paid 19.98 for 5 quarts of Mobil 1 and under 5 dollars for a Purolator filter last time. Much cheaper to do it yourself. I'm gonna make this "routine car maintenance day" and check all my fluids and stuff.

How Strong are you? You can probably take it off with your hands. That is what I do. If you really cant do it, they sell the hex part that hooks up to a wrench or ratchet at walmart for about 3 dollars. Made of plastic and will last for ever. Should be next to where the oil filters or air filters are. I have one just in case I can't take it off. Oh another tip when putting the oil filter on, dab some of the old oil to the gasket with your finger on the filter to lub it. It is a lot easier to take off on your next oil change. Mechanic tips. Also as soon as the filter gets tight when installing it go half a turn after that and your set. It is not supposed to be on very tight. I remember I bought my first oil change at the dealership. Cost me 38.00 dollars. After that I did it myself. I have done it to all my cars and always to my Protege. Save a lot of money that way. Plus you can change your g/f or wifes oil in her car and earn some points.(2thumbs)

 

[20EVOLUTION01]

I use a small brick with a llittle large brick at the end and then run it over. Then I jack up my car and put the jack stands under. Easier for me to do it this way.

 

[Brian MP5T]

This Thread SUX...

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

That much for an oil change? You shouldn't pay more than $20 for an oil change, especially a non-luxury/high performance car. Most prices should be around $15. Firestone near my house charges $16 while Purrfect Auto charges $10 with a coupon. I get mine free because my bro-in-law is a mechanic, but he charges $10-15 for cheaper cars like ours. And believe it or not, dealers send him cars for oil changes. He charges the dealers $30, then the dealer charges the customer $50. Yup, a lot of times, the dealer doesn't even do the work.

Depends on whether it was for synthetic or not & whether it was a K&N or micronic filter or just some plain low level one.

 

[Protege52003]

This Thread SUX...

back from the past!

 

[MICHIGANP5]

When putting the new filter on, put NEW oil not OLD oil on the rubber gasket and pour as much new oil in the filter as possible (w/out it spilling out when tilted to install).