Quickie or Longie

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Another post got me to thinking about this. Back in my younger days, I was a quick oil change fanatic. I could change a vehicles oil in ten minutes or less. As I've gotten older however, I really enjoy taking my time changing the oil in my vehicles. Sometimes I take up to an hour and a half to do a simple oil change.

I lay out my cardboard, pull out and place the ramps, set up my drain pan and bottles of oil and filter, get all my tools ready, then I drive on the ramp, position the pan and remove the drain plug and lay there watching the oil drain and consider the color and thickness of oil. Then we get to the drip part and it's time for a beer.

Finally, when the last drop has fallen, I replace the plug and replace the filter, (using plenty of paper towels to clean the area of any leakage or spillage). Then I take a sharpie and write the date, miles, weight of oil on the new filter and install.

Now comes the new oil. I pour in half a quart and then replace the bottle cap and shake the bottle to mix all the additives, then pour the rest of the quart. I do this for each quart, letting the empty bottle sit upside down in the filler hole of the motor to get all the oil out and into the motor.

By the time quart number five is in place, I then pour my used oil into jugs and clean out my drain pan with the paper towels I used for the filter instillation.

Of course, somewhere along the way, another bottle of beer just might happen to accidently pour into my mouth.

Does anyone else have an "oil change" ritual or are most Bitogers the "rough and ready" type?
 
I'm somewhere in the middle. I used to take a lot longer though, as I used to let the oil drain for an hour to 90 minutes, but now I generally just let it drain for 20-30 at the most. If I try and rush the job that's when I end up making a mess and spilling oil on the ground.
 
I'm usually in no rush when I do it. I like to let it drip for a long while though I know it does not really make a difference. Perhaps in comparison to quickie lube joints that reinstall the drain bolt after fifteen seconds.

Much of your procedure is what I also do, but I like taking a chisel to the oil filter to open it up and inspect it while the oil is still dripping from the sump
 
I would be in the quick category. I mean, I'm not wasting time. Still takes me forever, as I'm all thumbs.

My father had an oil burner, and he would take the empty oil bottles and let them drain for a day in the shop, into an empty bottle. He said he could get thirteen quarts out of a case doing that.
 
Never did one in the Dart... Normally in the truck it's,

Buy oil, or if I have some stashed away go get it
Get in the truck, drive front two tires on two concrete blocks, about 6 in tall square foot.
Set parking brake (safety first!)
Open hood, open fill cap.
Get under, remove drain plug, moving the drip pan to the flow.
Curse Florida fire ants around this point, no matter where it was done in the parents yard, ants seem to be there, like they dig a tunnel between finding a spot, and parking there.
Remove oil filter, allowing all to drain out...
Open the tool box in the bed... Grabbing oil and filter.
Get back under, replace the drain plug (cheap investment, 1.99$ drain plug replaced every oil change, had these bad boys strip out on me)
Wipe away where I took the filter off at
Fill the new filter halfway, lubing the gasket so it's nice and slippery,
Install filter.
Fill the truck with the rest of the oil.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Start her up, check leaks if any.
go driving on the back roads to make the filter match the rest of the truck, muddy.

Write in log book date, miles, oil type, filter type.
Put log book back in tool box
Immediately drive to Tractor Supply, oreilly, napa, car quest, az, aap, Walmart, true value, to find my next oil change in 7500mi to 10000mi

Yeah. Then I drink.
 
I get it done ASAP, especially if it's cold. I wait for the first couple drips drip drips, button it back together, and get going. I usually have a bunch of other stuff to get done. I even do oil changes when the engine is stone cold. Oh the horror!
 
How I change the oil in my Ion.

1. Drive car onto concrete pad.
2. Drag jack underneath jack point and start jacking.
3. Curse because I was thinking of a different car and just jacked it up on a weak spot.
4. Let down jack and position correctly.
5. Chase cat out of garage.
6. Dig through junk to get cat because it decided to hide instead of run away.
7. Throw cat out of garage, close all doors.
8. Stumble around to find light switch because there is now no light with the door closed.
9. Jack up car in correct position.
10. Position jack stands.
11. Collapse on floor.
12. Drag self underneath car.
13. Drag self back out.
14. Slowly, painfully, hoist my fat [censored] into standing position.
15. Get ratchet and socket that I forgot to get the first time.
16. Repeat step 11.
17. Repeat step 12.
18. Repeat step 13.
19. Repeat step 14.
20. Get oil drain pan I forgot to get.
21. Repeat step 11.
22. Repeat step 12.
23. Position oil drain pan.
24. Finally, at long last, remove oil drain plug.
25. Take nap in cold, dirty floor.
26. Wake up, wonder where I am and how I got there.
27. Replace oil drain plug.
28. Now that I've had a nap, getting up isn't so hard this time.
29. Take break for meal.
30. Get distracted on internet.
31. Wait, wasn't I doing something?
32. Go back out to shop.
33. Remove jack stands.
34. Let down car.
35. Open hood.
38. Hmm, is it this time or next time I change the filter?
39. Change the filter just to be safe, even though I suspect I'm probably supposed to leave it in for one more OCI.
40. Pour in new oil.
41. Replace cap.
42. Close hood.
43. Go back inside to clean up, go to bed now that it's nearly midnight.
 
I don't do mine as fast as possible to just get it done. I say about 45 minutes total.

From start to finish: prep the car (e-brake on, hood up, engine oil cap off, oil quarts/jugs only feet away, paper towel sheet, funnel, wrench, large cardboard piece under the engine) jack the car up, watch it drain, touch the drain oil to see the color, let it drip 10 drops, put drain plug on, add the oldest stashed oil, pour oil from the catcher container to the jug and check level two hour later and the following day. Keep old oil in 5 qt jug and recycle it some other time.

edit - look at the mileage and record the details (date, amount of oldest stashed oil, oil filter) it to my Writely/Google Docs spreadsheet.
 
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Everyone has their own little perks when they change their oil. For me, I just enjoy looking under the car or truck checking for signs of potential concerns. I love to change my own oil but the time it takes me depends on the weather outside. In the winter, its pretty quick. Summertime, not so quick. The key for me is not allowing a drop on the driveway.
 
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Never did one in the Dart... Normally in the truck it's,

Buy oil, or if I have some stashed away go get it
Get in the truck, drive front two tires on two concrete blocks, about 6 in tall square foot.
Set parking brake (safety first!)
Open hood, open fill cap.
Get under, remove drain plug, moving the drip pan to the flow.
Curse Florida fire ants around this point, no matter where it was done in the parents yard, ants seem to be there, like they dig a tunnel between finding a spot, and parking there.
Remove oil filter, allowing all to drain out...
Open the tool box in the bed... Grabbing oil and filter.
Get back under, replace the drain plug (cheap investment, 1.99$ drain plug replaced every oil change, had these bad boys strip out on me)
Wipe away where I took the filter off at
Fill the new filter halfway, lubing the gasket so it's nice and slippery,
Install filter.
Fill the truck with the rest of the oil.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Start her up, check leaks if any.
go driving on the back roads to make the filter match the rest of the truck, muddy.

Write in log book date, miles, oil type, filter type.
Put log book back in tool box
Immediately drive to Tractor Supply, oreilly, napa, car quest, az, aap, Walmart, true value, to find my next oil change in 7500mi to 10000mi

Yeah. Then I drink.


The ants only come after me after I've removed the front wheels and brakes and am sitting on the dirt installing the new pads - that's when I discover I'm sitting on an ant hill. Beer helps with the pain.
 
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
How I change the oil in my Ion.

1. Drive car onto concrete pad.
2. Drag jack underneath jack point and start jacking.
3. Curse because I was thinking of a different car and just jacked it up on a weak spot.
4. Let down jack and position correctly.
5. Chase cat out of garage.
6. Dig through junk to get cat because it decided to hide instead of run away.
7. Throw cat out of garage, close all doors.
8. Stumble around to find light switch because there is now no light with the door closed.
9. Jack up car in correct position.
10. Position jack stands.
11. Collapse on floor.
12. Drag self underneath car.
13. Drag self back out.
14. Slowly, painfully, hoist my fat [censored] into standing position.
15. Get ratchet and socket that I forgot to get the first time.
16. Repeat step 11.
17. Repeat step 12.
18. Repeat step 13.
19. Repeat step 14.
20. Get oil drain pan I forgot to get.
21. Repeat step 11.
22. Repeat step 12.
23. Position oil drain pan.
24. Finally, at long last, remove oil drain plug.
25. Take nap in cold, dirty floor.
26. Wake up, wonder where I am and how I got there.
27. Replace oil drain plug.
28. Now that I've had a nap, getting up isn't so hard this time.
29. Take break for meal.
30. Get distracted on internet.
31. Wait, wasn't I doing something?
32. Go back out to shop.
33. Remove jack stands.
34. Let down car.
35. Open hood.
38. Hmm, is it this time or next time I change the filter?
39. Change the filter just to be safe, even though I suspect I'm probably supposed to leave it in for one more OCI.
40. Pour in new oil.
41. Replace cap.
42. Close hood.
43. Go back inside to clean up, go to bed now that it's nearly midnight.


Love it!
 
Originally Posted By: silverrat
I wouldn't say a $2 drain plug every oil change is a wise investment


I would... 2$ every 7500-10k mi?
I don't spend more than 20$ every oil change, if nothing is on sale, it gets a 13$ bottle of Quaker State Conventional or havoline, and a 3.27$ Purolator classic. With the drain plug, it's 18.27$ before tax...

I am fully confident in a Purolator classic and Quaker State Conventional to go 7500 miles...
 
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Yeah...$2 for every oil change to replace the plug?

I've got 245,000 miles on the 4 Runner. Original plug. So that's what, 60 or 70 oil changes? Glad I didn't spend over $100 on plugs during that time...that's beer money right there...

They only strip out if you over-torque them...
 
I thought of something else when I saw your thread title.
I'll spend 20-30 minutes on a typical oil change.
I've been lucky enough with my timing over the past few years that I've not had to do one in really cold weather, so I don't get in a rush.
On any car you're familiar with, you know the size wrench or socket you'll need and you'll know whether you're likely to need a filter wrench. You'll also know exactly where the drain plug is located and whether you'll need to lift the car, which isn't needed with the Subarus but is with everything else.
You'll grab the correct jug or quarts of fresh oil from your stash along with the correct filter and you're good to go for the change.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I thought of something else when I saw your thread title.


grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I get it done ASAP, especially if it's cold. I wait for the first couple drips drip drips, button it back together, and get going. I usually have a bunch of other stuff to get done. I even do oil changes when the engine is stone cold. Oh the horror!


Jan/Feb have a way of making my oil changes in these months on the QUICK side! Otherwise I'm medium.
 
Last October I did 6 oil changes in 90 minutes. If I dawdled and him-hawed around then I'd be at it all day.

It's a simple oil change; it doesn't need to take hours.
 
GreeCguy, my "ritual" is very similar to yours, with the exceptions that we don't need ramps to get underneath, and the sump is drained only until it is no longer a continuous stream and is dripping.
 
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