i use green plastic industrial gloves that are large enough to wear over cotton gloves, and go about 5" beyond my wrist. i roll up a cuff to accept the inevitable oil running down my hand, as it is hot. my filter placement does not allow for a clean and dry change. i use ramps, even though they're not needed, as it makes an underside visual inspection easy. i lay down an old plastic shower curtain liner that i save just for this job, in case of spills. when done, all waste rags/paper towels are folded up in the plastic, and there is no mess. the rest is basic. it's a 2 beer job (3 if it's mid summer). as for as oil being a carcinogen -- as long as you're not ingesting it, or getting it on your skin every day -- don't worry about it. you'll find a method that suits you. good luck.
First Oil Change!
- Thread starter Oily_McOilenson
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Bust open a cardboard box and put it under your drain pan. Wayward drips of oil will get soaked up by this extra layer.
Make it a goal, a matter of personal pride, to spill only X drips of oil this time, and beat it next time.
So often I do a perfect change until it gets time to move the used oil from the drain pan to the recycling jug. By then I'm impatient. Do stupid stuff like watch the stream trickling in and hit the opposite end of the pan that I'm lifting on the car bumper etc.
Incidentally you don't have to find a M1 filter to fit your cap wrench, any standard size filter for your car will be close enough in diameter except maybe the grippy frams.
Make it a goal, a matter of personal pride, to spill only X drips of oil this time, and beat it next time.
So often I do a perfect change until it gets time to move the used oil from the drain pan to the recycling jug. By then I'm impatient. Do stupid stuff like watch the stream trickling in and hit the opposite end of the pan that I'm lifting on the car bumper etc.
Incidentally you don't have to find a M1 filter to fit your cap wrench, any standard size filter for your car will be close enough in diameter except maybe the grippy frams.
Ok thanks! I found a filter grip that should work. Only thing is that I bought Mobil 1 5w30 Extended Performance, but apparently it does not meet Energy Conserving and/or GL-4 standards or whatever, so I amgoing to trade it in for plain old Mobil 1 I think. Sort of disappointed in that, but I want to do what Toyota says while uner warranty.
I will take a photo-documentary haha.
Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Used oil is carcinogenic ONLY with prolonged and persistent exposure.
So, unless you work at a high volume Iffy lube and soak in the stuff all day for years at a time, you will be fine.
Well I'm toast then.
Back in the 1970s when I was a pump jockey for 4 years (yeah, there was no self serve in those days), my hands were dirty from used oil and other grime 24/7 and only came clean if I took a vacation. Also sniffed a lot of gasoline fumes.
Used oil is carcinogenic ONLY with prolonged and persistent exposure.
So, unless you work at a high volume Iffy lube and soak in the stuff all day for years at a time, you will be fine.
Well I'm toast then.
Are you Caveatipse? Haha. Well if you are, you've changed your oil lots.
If you aren't, have fun and BE SAFE.
If you aren't, have fun and BE SAFE.
Originally Posted By: cp3
Personally, I don't use a filter wrench. I don't believe the filter is supposed to be on that tight. If you can get the first one off by hand, you may not need to buy one.
I don't usually either. My '00 cavalier filter I can get off by hand, but my wife's '03 impala I have to use the filter wrench. I miss how my '80 malibu's filter was straight up on the bottom of the motor (I don't miss the cracked frame rails or leaking rear main seal in tranny or the machine gun sounding motor though) and my '93 tempo had it's oil filter on the front of the motor where I could reach it and the fuel filter was up on the right fender. I hate to admit it, quite often they were Fram before I saw the cut open filters comparison.
Personally, I don't use a filter wrench. I don't believe the filter is supposed to be on that tight. If you can get the first one off by hand, you may not need to buy one.
I don't usually either. My '00 cavalier filter I can get off by hand, but my wife's '03 impala I have to use the filter wrench. I miss how my '80 malibu's filter was straight up on the bottom of the motor (I don't miss the cracked frame rails or leaking rear main seal in tranny or the machine gun sounding motor though) and my '93 tempo had it's oil filter on the front of the motor where I could reach it and the fuel filter was up on the right fender. I hate to admit it, quite often they were Fram before I saw the cut open filters comparison.
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Used oil is carcinogenic ONLY with prolonged and persistent exposure.
So, unless you work at a high volume Iffy lube and soak in the stuff all day for years at a time, you will be fine.
Well I'm toast then.
Back in the 1970s when I was a pump jockey for 4 years (yeah, there was no self serve in those days), my hands were dirty from used oil and other grime 24/7 and only came clean if I took a vacation. Also sniffed a lot of gasoline fumes.
Gasoline used to smell good .
Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Used oil is carcinogenic ONLY with prolonged and persistent exposure.
So, unless you work at a high volume Iffy lube and soak in the stuff all day for years at a time, you will be fine.
Well I'm toast then.
Gasoline used to smell good .
You are not going to waste your money by running syn oil and a M1 filter for only 5,000 miles?
go to harbor freight and buy these!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94096
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94096
This is my favorite oil filter removal tool. I bought a pair for around $13 at Autozone a couple years ago and use them all the time. Never use the band wrench any more as these are a lot easier. And, the best part, these oil filter pliers are very hand for handling the filter after it drops into the pan of waste oil so you don't have to get your hands too dirty. A slightly different one by Channellock.
re Oil as a carcinogen
Yes it is but only used oil and only with prolonged exposure. It seems likely that the carcinogenicity is due to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) entrained in the oil from fuel combustion. Chimney soot was one of the first identified carcinogens - again thanks to PAHs.
But knowing that, I don't get too bent out of shape about getting used oil on my hands a few times a year. I wash it off well and that's the end of it.
Ecotourist
Yes it is but only used oil and only with prolonged exposure. It seems likely that the carcinogenicity is due to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) entrained in the oil from fuel combustion. Chimney soot was one of the first identified carcinogens - again thanks to PAHs.
But knowing that, I don't get too bent out of shape about getting used oil on my hands a few times a year. I wash it off well and that's the end of it.
Ecotourist
A couple of other pointers that haven't been mentioned yet:
Take off your watch before doing this job - oil can easily run down your hand and all over the watch. Don't ask me how I know this.
Be careful to hang on to the drain plug when removing it - sounds simple but I'm willing to bet many people here are like me and have dropped it into the pan with the used oil.
Have a look at your owners manual for recommended servicing. I have gotten into the habit of checking many other things when I do an oil change:
brake fluid level
check antifreeze level (drain and refill frequency as per manual)
check PCV valve
inspect belts
check automatic tranny fluid (drain and refill frequency as per manual)
or if manual tranny - check clutch fluid
check all parking lights, signal lights, headlights
lube all hinges, door, trunk, etc.
inspect battery
check power steering fluid
Replace air filter - frequency as per manual
check tire inflation pressure
Inspect and Rotate tires - follow manual for intervals
If rotating tires - inspect brakes, cv joints and suspension
If under car - have a look at the exhaust
If any fluids are low it might indicate other problems.
When I restart the engine I watch for the check oil light to light up while the oil filter is filling up and then it should go out in a few seconds. This indicates that the oil pressure warning system is working correctly. Just let the engine idle - don't rev the engine at least until the oil light goes out.
If all you are doing is changing the oil and filter then I recommend you take your car to a dealer or other shop once in a while so that the above items get done periodically.
Take off your watch before doing this job - oil can easily run down your hand and all over the watch. Don't ask me how I know this.
Be careful to hang on to the drain plug when removing it - sounds simple but I'm willing to bet many people here are like me and have dropped it into the pan with the used oil.
Have a look at your owners manual for recommended servicing. I have gotten into the habit of checking many other things when I do an oil change:
brake fluid level
check antifreeze level (drain and refill frequency as per manual)
check PCV valve
inspect belts
check automatic tranny fluid (drain and refill frequency as per manual)
or if manual tranny - check clutch fluid
check all parking lights, signal lights, headlights
lube all hinges, door, trunk, etc.
inspect battery
check power steering fluid
Replace air filter - frequency as per manual
check tire inflation pressure
Inspect and Rotate tires - follow manual for intervals
If rotating tires - inspect brakes, cv joints and suspension
If under car - have a look at the exhaust
If any fluids are low it might indicate other problems.
When I restart the engine I watch for the check oil light to light up while the oil filter is filling up and then it should go out in a few seconds. This indicates that the oil pressure warning system is working correctly. Just let the engine idle - don't rev the engine at least until the oil light goes out.
If all you are doing is changing the oil and filter then I recommend you take your car to a dealer or other shop once in a while so that the above items get done periodically.
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