Hey, my car has almost done 180 000kms and im going to service it. It needs it, it hasnt been done since i bought it 5000kms ago and who knows how long it has been before that. :confused: I know the basic things about all this, such as changing the oil, oil filter etc. I know enough about my car to know what things are under the bonnet, but i need a bit of help. Im basically wanting to do a change of pretty much everything that i can change myself. Does anyone know where or how i can find out about this? :doubt:

Go to autobarn and look up the part numbers you need :).

i just did a major service on my tr 2 weeks ago. oil, oil filter, fuel fitler, spark plugs, cables, flushed radiator, repaired radiator, cleaned air filter and box, filled up battery, replace complete windscreen wipers and i check all other fluid levels and also check typres and brakes. going to flush brake fluid in next 2 weeks. i think thats all i did. but all that stuff is pretty basic and if u've got a gregory's. TOO EASY. if u wanna ask any questions, ask away. there's plenty of others out there that can help u.

Cool, i knew it would be pretty basic, once i know what i am doing. Also, i need to replace my gearbox oil...is this possible to do myself? How do i do it?

yea, u can. same sorta thing as oil. just flush and replace. i did mine bout 2 months ago

Thats what i thought. Sorry for the stupid questions. Its my first car :redface:

I see your in the ACT. seeing as you go below 0deg there in winter it would be a good idea to make sure that there is Type A antifreeze/coolant in the cooling system at the correct ratio (33-50% or enuf premix to fill the engine) (type B coolant isn't anti-freeze )
Gearbox oil is different to engine oil, fill up to the filler port in the side of the trans (manuals)
Seeing as you have just bought the car it would be a good idea to remove all wheels and inspect all brakes and also check the steering and suspension for any worn parts.
Check all lights.
other than that pretty much everything else has been said already

How does everyone get the oil filter off? In the service manual (can't remember which mob made mine, supposedly the better one) it basically says you can't get it off without a specialised gripper?

How does everyone get the oil filter off? In the service manual (can't remember which mob made mine, supposedly the better one) it basically says you can't get it off without a specialised gripper?

The gripper your talking about only set you back $5-10 worth the money.

How does everyone get the oil filter off? In the service manual (can't remember which mob made mine, supposedly the better one) it basically says you can't get it off without a specialised gripper?
You don't need a specialised tool, you can use a belt wrench.

Or if you like making a big mess, stab it with a screwdriver and use it as a handle.

How does everyone get the oil filter off? In the service manual (can't remember which mob made mine, supposedly the better one) it basically says you can't get it off without a specialised gripper?


You do't always need a oil filter wrench. When we changed the oil on mine at a freinds work (mechanic) he just undid it with his hands.

Of course i was like "omgwtfbbq i thought u needed a special wrench to do that??". But he was like not really on these magnas coz the filter is in an easy position to get too, you would only need a filter wrench if it was put back on really tight last time it was done.

Cobra82 is right, just a week ago I changed my engine oil and filter cos I wasn't happy with the Castrol Magnatec - You really dont need a filter wrench, just grip it with a rag with both hands when its not as hot anymore (do not lean on it though!!! ortherwise you can bend the screw) and twist it to the left as much as you can. It ussually goes off fine like that, unless the filter gasket is relly baked on because filter was not replaced for more than 20.000 k or so - I hope not :) If you are affraid of getting burnt on the exhaust cover than by all means buy a cheap oil filter wrench or belt wrench at supercheap or even cheaper at the Warehouse if you have that store in your area.

The trany oil is another thing. There you have to unscrew the tranny sump plug and if you wanna do it properly you gonna have to take the sump pan off the bottom and clean it inside with some degreaser to get rid of all the gunk and metal chips that form while running the car. Basically the magnets inside the sump should be cleaned. You'll need a new gasket for the trany sump as well when you are putting it back together. If your trany's oil (assuming its manual) is not smelling a bit burnt but smells sort of sweet(ish) (you smell it on the oil stick) then I woudn't bother yet with changing fluid - the manual ones last a long time - 80.000 to 100.000k.