Do it yourself oil/filter changes

[crashandburn]

Not a owner YET, may change tomorrow.Do any of you do your own oil changes? How tough is the filter to get too?Are there any grease zerks to service?What about the 100,000 mile GM powertrain....are oil/filter purchase receipts good enough?I really hate those jiffy places, you never know what quality filter you will end up with....and the bulk oil supply, is it really kept CLEAN??

[kunkstyle]

Filter's easy enough to get to. Just need to ramp or jack up the front end.

[Raven]

Filters easy. There are no zerks to grease. Oil and filter receipts will suffice. The first time you change the oil you'd better have a filter wrench and strong arms because the factory seems to install the oil filter with some kind of massive hydraulic device which super tightens it on beyond your wildest dreams. I broke a filter wrench and had to drive a large screwdriver through the filter and it started to tear apart before I got my first one off.

[harryyiii]

I was able to change the oil and filter without lifting the car. A tight squeeze but doable for me. Buy a filter designed to be used with a filter wrench, and buy a matching filter wrench for use with a socket wrench. Buy a closable drain pan for that trip to the oil recycling place (usually any automotive repair place).

[ClunkClunk]

First change is tough to get the filter out. I had to get a big set of channel locks to break that filter's grip.However, oil changes on the Vibe are pretty easy, particularly compared to other small cars.

[northvibe]

yup oil change on the vibe is cake, maybe 30 min for EVERYTHING once you get the hang of it. On my ms3...wow its like a 2 hour job. Once i lowered my vibe i used ramps otherwise i didnt use ramps when it was stock height.

[vhoward1122]

I'm kind of wondering about the 09 vibe. I heard it has the cartridge type oil filter that is inside the oil pan. You supposedly unscrew a cover, remove the old cartridge and insert the new one, put a new seal on the cover and screw that back in. Do you need a special wrench for that?

[jake75]

I will probably get slammed for this - but with all the good deals on oil changes why would anyone want to do it themselves. My dealer has an oil change card that now costs $189 for 10 oil/filter changes. Includes 4 months tire hazard and towing service coverage after each oil change. (I have not bought one yet as I still have 2 oil changes left on their former $119 for 10 oil change card.)Goodyear etc. seems to always have coupons for oil changes (includes filter) for less than $20. I would not take take my Vibe to quick lube places like Jiffy Lube etc. but I trust the dealer, Goodyear Service Centers etc.

[Digger]

I like to know it was done right.

[nygiantzz1]

Quote, originally posted by vhoward1122 »I'm kind of wondering about the 09 vibe. I heard it has the cartridge type oil filter that is inside the oil pan. You supposedly unscrew a cover, remove the old cartridge and insert the new one, put a new seal on the cover and screw that back in. Do you need a special wrench for that?if it's the same as the 2.4 in my wife's G5, it's a piece of cake. The filter is on the front right corner of the engine and the cover comes off easily. I used a pair of channel lock pliers. The filter drops right in. Each filter has new seal pre installed.

[NibCrom]

Some of us need to prove we are manly. But seriously, I like to know it is done right and what oil is put in, etc.

[Whelan]

I've been changing my oil since I had my 02 Civic. That car was a PIA to get to the filter. The Matrix is like oil changing for dummies (no sarcasm meant). The filter is easily accessible, but I did buy a filter wrench and use my extension bar on the rachet to reach it easier. The drain plug is very easy to get too. I just make sure I ask for a plug washer each time I get my filter from the dealer. They typically just throw it in the box no charge. I pop the oil fill cap so that when it is draining you get the most oil out, I let it drain for a few minutes till it is barely dripping. Most oil change places hardly wait that long and leave a lot of old oil in the car.I also use Castrol GTX 5W-30. Some use synthetic, others use blend, and others use the Amsoil long life oil. I have never had an issue with Castrol, I use it in my car and my fiance Jeep. It's one of the top rated oils next to Mobil. But given Mobil makes insane money on everything I refuse to buy anything from them, whether it is a filter, gas, oil, etc. They can eat me.

[altimar]

Quote, originally posted by NibCrom »Some of us need to prove we are manly. But seriously, I like to know it is done right and what oil is put in, etc.I agree on both points.It's a good opportunity to inspect everything, even under the car. While doing an oil change on my old SC2, I noticed a small fluid leak from the transmission. I brought it in for repair under warranty and had the bad bearing replaced before I got stranded somewhere. It would have been over $1,000 to repair if the warranty had run out before it broke down.Check all your fluids, refill washer fluid, check air filter, brake wear, tire pressure, all signal bulbs, vacuum the interior, clean the glass, etc.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Digger »I like to know it was done right. That's another reason why I don't do my own oil changes!

[altimar]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »That's another reason why I don't do my own oil changes! Heh, if you don't want to, no problem, but after the second or third time, you'll be an expert.

[joatmon]

I do my own. It is a lot easier for me because I can set it to drain, and do other things, inspect other parts of the car, or go inside and do soemthing unrelated, but use that time that would otherwise be spent driving to an oil change place and sitting around waiting.The actual time of removing the drain plug, putting it back in, taking off the old filter, putting the new one on, and filling with oil is about a three minute task. Letting the old oil drain takes the most time, and I use that time for other things.I don't use ramps, but sometimes I'll put a jack under the front center cross member, lift it up a few inches. Since the drain plug on the 1ZZ is in the back, a little extra lift up front helps get those last drops of dirty oil, and makes it easier to get under.

[Whelan]

I always use the 3 ton jack on the tow hook part under the front, put jack stands on the frame rails just behind the front wheels, and then roll under the car on the cradle. It's fun lyin on your back checkin the car out.

[Renthorin]

Jake, I suspect that price is for conventional oil and not synthetic?My experience is when you take the car in for a synthetic oil change it can cost you 40 bucks a pop :-(I change my own and get 5 quarts of SYN for 21 bucks from Satan...I mean Walmart....Buy the Delco oil filters in bulk from the dealership to save some bucks too.I had no problems removing the filter the first time.Will

[Burns1210]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I will probably get slammed for this - but with all the good deals on oil changes why would anyone want to do it themselves....I would not take take my Vibe to quick lube places like Jiffy Lube etc. but I trust the dealer, Goodyear Service Centers etc. My brother once got his transmission fluid changed at a Dodge dealer, and they never put any fluid back in! He fortunately checked it when he got home which was just a short drive. They came to his house and filled it. I've always had my transmissions flushed, so I guess that really couldn't happen.I'll change my own oil, thanks.

[Herb]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I will probably get slammed for this - but with all the good deals on oil changes why would anyone want to do it themselves. My dealer has an oil change card that now costs $189 for 10 oil/filter changes. Includes 4 months tire hazard and towing service coverage after each oil change. (I have not bought one yet as I still have 2 oil changes left on their former $119 for 10 oil change card.) For me it's convenience. Over here I have to book an appt with a dealer a few days ahead of time, then drop off the car at the crack of dawn and hoping they'll get to it that day. Sometimes they can't so a day without the car is blown.It's easy enough for me to do, and what I save in labor goes into buying synthetic oil.If the car is going to the dealership for other issues, I might have them do an oil change then, otherwise I do it myself.

[ajconover]

I would agree that the filter and drain plug are easy to get to, but the way the filter is mounted (at least on the Just be careful which drain plug you open. The (auto) transmission has a drain plug mounted right on the bottom of its pan... it would be easy to open the wrong one if you are not paying attention.

[zionzr2]

Quote, originally posted by ajconover »...Just be careful which drain plug you open. The (auto) transmission has a drain plug mounted right on the bottom of its pan... it would be easy to open the wrong one if you are not paying attention.Easy to determine:Oil Is on the Passenger side!Tranny is on Driverside.

[Burns1210]

Quote, originally posted by ajconover »Just be careful which drain plug you open. The (auto) transmission has a drain plug mounted right on the bottom of its pan... it would be easy to open the wrong one if you are not paying attention.I did that once on my friend's Jeep Cherokee once. When the oil was draining, I remember thinking..."man this oil is red".I've never had a car with a transmission drain plug until now, always had to remove the pan to drain it.

[The Lox]

If you tested the oil level after putting in the new oil, I don't think it would take too long to show on your dipstick you have WAY too much oil in...

[Whelan]

Doesn't the pan say Oil on it in stamped letters?

[PlatinumVibe08]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Doesn't the pan say Oil on it in stamped letters?No, mine says 710. Isn't that how many ounces of oil goes in?