i know this sounds dumb but I haven't done a full oil change before and I was wondering how it's done?

it's pretty easy. you need to jack the car up to a certain height, unscrew a cap somewhere below the car near the front wheels, and let the oil drip till it stops. refill via the engine block, there's a black cap staring you in the face when you pop the bonnet. it is a pretty easy process but only really messy and you need to dispose of the old oil properly and environmentally conciously. so, i'd rather just spend $30-$50 and get someone to do it.

there're alot of good websites out there with pictures teaching you how to do it. so no problems if you wanna DIY.

Don't forget to change the oil filter ;) . Its on the drivers side. The Ryco equivelent for Mits is the Z053 (I think.... you better check the packet)

u should maybe look into a cleaning agent that u run through ya engine for 10 mins prior to draining the oil so that it gets all the gump outa there all ready for the new oil

When you lift the car be careful not to lift it too high or the oil will in fact run from the drain tin back in to the engine.
Now seriously, on the bottom of the motor called the sump, at the rear is the drain plug. The oil will not drip it will flow and come out quite quickly, this is of course provided you did remember to fill your oil up last time.
The place in the block where you put in the new oil is the hole caused by the big end shooing thru the side of the enginge last time you dragged that ssv. The proper place to top up your oil is in fact the oil filler cap located on top of the enginge in the front cam cover....the cap will have 710 written on it :))))
The oil filter is located ont he left side underneath the engine at the front.
As for being messy so is sex but se do not complain.

I generally run the car for a couple of minds before i do this to heat the oil up and which is supposed to let it run quicker but you'll have to leave it longer to let the oil from the top of the engine sink down again...

Just be careful, there are hot spots remember.

Don't forget to prime your oil filter with a little bit of oil before you screw the new one on.

They also forgot to mention ...

When you remove the drain plug.. it WILL spurt out fast. and it will come out on an angle.... so be ready with the 5L icecream container to collect it.
DONT drop the plug in the oil when you loosen it off.
You ARE GOING TO GET OIL ON YOUR SELF!!... I normally loosen the bolt with the ratchet... then undo the rest by hand... I keep pushing up on the bolt until it starts to click... this means that you have unscrewed it fully ... but are still stoping the oil from gushing out... Then quickly remove the bolt...

As the oil starts to slow down from its inital gushing.. it will start flowing more straight down rather than on the angle... so adjust the container to suit.

After the Oil has finished dripping.. REPLACE THE BOLT!!!! :) DONT OVERTIGHTEN... the bolt has a copper "O" ring and if you over tighten you will MASH it and it wont seal properly.

To remove the old oil filter... you will prob need a rag to wrap around the filter to hep give you some grip to untwist it.
If you have one of those special filter removal tools it is easy... if not then wrap the rag around the filter and twist the material TIGHT... rely tight... this wil help with the grip... then twist it undone.
if it dosnt come off.. give it a few light blows with a hammer.
this will help dislodge it.. but also the dents will allow you some grip points.
When replacing it.. add some clean oil into the open part of the new filter.... and swirl it around the inside... Like a concrete mixer.. also wipe alittle on the rubber "O" ring on the hole end of the filter.
carefully wipe around the part on the motor where you unscrewed it.. to remove any loose dirt and grime.

Be VERY careful when screwing it back on that you DONT cross thread it.. it should twist on smoothly and straight.. with little force.. once the ring starts to hit the motor.. give it another 1/4 turn and then leave it... DONT OVER TIGHTEN it.

Lower the car.

Now you can fill up the car with the new Oil... remember when pouring in the new oil that you tip from the SIDE of the oil container... NOT FROM THE FRONT!!!! .. otherwise it will slop and jerk as you are pouring it.
Take your tiem pouring ... slowley and steadily...
Put in about 3L and then allow it to drain down and sit for a bit... Check the Oil level on the Dip stick...

Continue adding and checking the Dip stick until you have a nice FULL level on the stick.
Wipe up and spilt Oil STRAIGHT away.. otherwise it gathers dust and dirt and looks like crap.

Let your car idle for a little bit first after doing this BEFORE you REV it to much...
this will allow the oil to lift to the top of the engine again....

On the flap of the oil filter write down the KM's and the date and put it in the glove box... then remember to change it at the next perscribed interval..
After all what is better... spending $30 on Oil and a filter.. or $3000 on an engine replacement cause you haveworn out the rings and crank etc with dirty old mud oil :D

Haydn

Hmm that reminds mw... mine is due 5000k ago :(

There is another last resort technique to getting a stuck filter off..

But I wouldn't really recommend it..I only used it when working in a hydraulic place and we were removing filters on site (roughly the same size as a magna one)

You punch a screwdriver through it and then twist it off...The extra leverage makes it dead easy.

BUT as I said..I REALLY dont recommend this, we only had to do it because we had no other choice.

Yeah I have had to do the same. If you are up on jacks this is definitely not a good idea, wouldn't like the vehicle to drop down on you if you hit too hard :shock: . If you plan to do the oil change yourself regulary it is probably a good idea to invest in some ramps and one of those special filter wrenchs mentioned before, the ramps are only about $50 or $60, so well worth it. It will save you a lot of trouble. :D

When you lower your car like mine you can't drive onto ramps anymore. Time to get me a good hydro jack.

last time i did an oil change i went and got the oil from kmart while there i found this engine cleaner that you put in just before you do the oil change and run engine for 5mins. this basically cleans the crap from the engine and thins the oil so most of it comes out. fantastic stuff if it actually does what it prescribes.

yeh make sure you do the oil filter too or your just wasting your money.

Ramps are no good.... (well for my car) ... I cannot even fit a jack under it.. I ahve to run it onto some timber :D
Get a set of stands... only about $40 -$50 at supercheap.
Haydn

lol.... fair enough with the ramps. I haven't lowered mine yet but plan to do it soon. Just a question, if yours is so low you can't get a jack under... how do you change the tyre when you get a flat :?:

lol.... fair enough with the ramps. I haven't lowered mine yet but plan to do it soon. Just a question, if yours is so low you can't get a jack under... how do you change the tyre when you get a flat :?:

I have two lumps of timber in the boot... about 5cm thick... they just happened to be some off cuts I had at work.. and also happeed to be super light :D
they are about 45-60cm long... and I have cut on an angle the ends to make them easy to drive onto...
here is a pic :)
http://pronto.customer.netspace.net.au/diamante/spring001.jpg

Haydn

Good pic.... I will keep that in mind :D