Popular Mechanics oil change article

[Rick in PA]

I picked-up the December issue of Popular Mechanics because it had an oil change article in the CarCare section, thought maybe I'd learn something.

(I may be an old dog, but I'm open to learning new tricks.)

It didn't mention warming-up the car.

The article discusses jacking up the car and using safety stands. Does anyone use this method? I thought most DIY used ramps.

About 1/3 of the article discusses removing stubborn drain plugs and your options for repair of damaged drain plug threads. Unfortunately, I suspect this would tend to put off most first time DIY.

Three different illustrations featuring an orange oil filter with the manufacturer's name showing.

The article recommends "hand-tightening" the oil filter if there is adequet space around it to get a good grip on it. Has anyone seen an oil filter with this recommendation recently? I seem to remember seeing "3/4 to 1 turn after filter gasket contacts motor" since the 1970's.

The article just sort of ends after you install the oil filter. No mention of adding the oil, running the motor, checking for leaks, checking the oil fill level and checking other fluid levels.

There's a sidebar on the API "Starburst" and what it means, but no discussion of conventional vs. synthetic motor oil.


I'm at a loss for words.

 

[SL8Brick]

quote:

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The article just sort of ends after you install the oil filter. No mention of adding the oil, running the motor, checking for leaks, checking the oil fill level and checking other fluid levels.

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Hmmmmm, well I suppose we'll have to wait for PM to come out with "Oil Change II...the sequel". But please don't tell me how it ends....that would ruin the surprise.

 

[labman]

Unfortunately this article may be helpful to some people. it is amazing how many experts don't know anything.

 

[Ken4]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick in PA:
The article recommends "hand-tightening" the oil filter if there is adequet space around it to get a good grip on it. Has anyone seen an oil filter with this recommendation recently? I seem to remember seeing "3/4 to 1 turn after filter gasket contacts motor" since the 1970's.

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I also hand tighten my filters and they have never come off or leaked before. But I believe this only applies to big strong men

. When I was teaching a friend of mine how to change a filter on her Saab 900 Turbo, I also told her that hand tightening was sufficient. She used all her strength that she had, and nearly turned blue. But when I inspected her handiwork, I noticed I could easily turn the filter another 1/4~1/2 turn more!

 

[The_Jeff]

How on earth does anyone keep a hand clean and oil-free long enough to tighten the filter? I'm only that lucky maybe 20% of the time!

 

[Bob Woods]

Unfortunately this article may be helpful to some people. it is amazing how many experts don't know anything.

There is a good possiblity that the writer has never changed his own oil or even raised the hood of a car. Professional writers are just that, they research and write, most of the time know nothing about what they write of. I spent a few years as a tech writer, after the "writers" got done with their editing for grammer and flow the info I ws trying to get across to the student was sometimes gone.

 

[Jim Spahr]

On the AC Delco filter box, it always rec. hand tightening the filter 3/4 to 1 turn after contact. I always heard if you used a wrench to tighten the filter, you may distort or rupture the filter and cause leaks.

 

[labman]

Oil filters need to be tightened to a certain torque. Since hand tighten has so much variability, the manufacturers have gone to the 2/3 full turn recommendation. I am sure some people can tighten it way beyond that at least creating problems removing it, if not distortion and leaks. I doubt tightening it to the proper torque with a wrench will cause problems. However a wrench in the hands of most of the tighter, the better mentality, could easily lead to problems. So I say, follow directions, oil the gasket, and turn it most of a turn after the gasket contacts the adapter using your hands, a wrench, or whatever works. I have always done this, and never had a filter leak, loosen, or a problem removing it. No Iffy lube has ever touched my truck or car.

 

[acranox]

I jack up my car. I don't own ramps, partly because you can't use ramps to do brake work, or to rotate tires, or when removing the tire to get access to things like the fuel filter, etc. etc.
I suppose I could buy a couple just for oil changes...but I always figured the ground clearance was so low on an 87 Honda Accord (or my last car, a 94 Honda Civic) that the ramps would be a problem...I guess that's silly.....but you can't get all four wheels up with ramps anyhow, (unless you have truck-like ground clearance) so for all purpose use, you need jackstands.

Oh, and the oil filter, I hand tighten (but what does that mean, I can get it REAL tight with my hand if I want) and then do 3/4 turn with a wrench. That's what the oil filter says right on the can. (Bosch, STP, Mobil 1) I'm a stickler for following manufactuerers directions for most things. They built it, they should know how to install it.

 

[labman]

I think my 92 Grand Am was the first car I couldn't wiggle under enough for an oil change. Naturally the air dam hit the ramps. I made lower ones our of a 2 X 8 and 4 X 6 blocks. They cleared the air dam and raised it just enough to do an oil change. Works fine on other stuff like my 02 Cavalier, my son's Miata, and the 90 Beretta my daughter had.

Excellent point on the manufacturers directions. If you use a wrench to reach the spec, fine.

 

[rockerc]

I work the lube rack at a Lincoln Mercury Dealership, and I can say that I usually tighten filters using a clean rag wetted with a bit of brake cleaner.