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I want to do my own change from now on.. However, apart from keyboard, I am not handy on anything much less turning a wrench.
So, can the pros tell me how to do an oil change by meself?
1. What do you use for jacking up the vehicle? ramp or jackstands? which is safer? I assume that ramp is easier for beginners since jackstand slipping is a dangerous situation.
Unless you are a very large person, i would doubt you need to get an suv off the ground to change the oil. I drive a mazda 626, and before that on my honda accord, mazda protege, vw jetta, and vw golf, i never had a problem changing the oil with the car on the ground. I can lay down just under the front bumper and reach everything from the filter, drain plug, and radiator drain for that matter.
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2. After draining the oil, putting the drain bolt back on with new o ring, what else to do apart from sticking a new filter? i.e should the filter be loaded with new oil? or empty is okay?
I always remove the old filter first, so when i drop it into the drain pan it is empty and it wont splash or anything. I just let it drain for a 30 seconds (about 1/4 quart will come out when you remove the filter, but you can remove it without first draining the oil), wipe the filter flange with a rag, and install the new filter. I put a bead of fresh oil on the filter gasket but i have never filled the filter with oil. It is not necessary.
I then move to the drain plug, start draining the old oil and while its draining i remove the oil filler cap to assist in draining, and then get my bottles or fresh oil ready.
Then i either put a new washer on the drain plug or if the old one is still in good shape i turn it over to allow it to 'crush' better, reinstall the plug, tighten, and then i'm ready to refill.
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3. Pour fresh oil and start the vehicle while on ramp. However, if the vehicle is tilted (if jackstand is not used), the oil level might read wrong.. but thats probably okay since the quantity is 4 ltrs in sump and .3 in filter hence 4.4 should do.
4. Drive off the ramps and reset the OLM... Am I missing something?
First of all, I dont know where the filter is located and if it is cartridge or canister.. 07 mitsubishi outlander btw.
You can go to the dealer parts counter and buy an oil filter and you will know that way what you are looking for. If you continue to change the oil yourself, i would recommend looking online for a source to buy OEM filters the dealer uses for less. I buy mine at europeanautoparts.com, they have decent prices and despite their name, also carry lots of OEM japanese auto parts.
When refilling the car, you might start off with pouring in 4 and 1/4 quart, start, check for leaks on the filter and drain plug, let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes and check the oil level. Then add the amount necessary to bring it exactly to the full mark on the dip-stick.
As another poster mentioned, i also like to use surgical gloves for working on my car. A nice fresh and clean surgical glove allows you to get a good grip on the filter when installing it. Read the instructions on the filter, but most filter tell you how far to turn it after the gasket just touches the flange. Try to get this just right so its tight enough to keep it from leaking but not so tight its impossible to get off next time.
I live in an apt complex, which frowns upon working on ones car in the parking lot. I can change the oil, filter, refill, check for leaks, pour old oil into gallon collection containers, and wipe out and windex out my oil drain pan (I keep it spotless so i can store it in my trunk) and clean up and be outta there in about 20 minutes.
I also have a collection of about 500 static cling oil change reminder stickers for my windshield i collected from stores, buying them on ebay, etc.... They add a nice professional touch to your own oil change
