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Thread ID: 118452 2011-06-05 05:58:00 Car's oil changes ... Nomad (952) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1207140 2011-06-05 07:39:00 sounds like its got a cartridge filter. need to find what socket is required to get it off.

its not just what weight the oil but more importantly what grade/spec that it requires. certain grade oils have certain amount of additives. wrong grade oil can be disaster as it can be lacking in a required additive. trouble is they have been changes to the oils to make them more environment friendly.
as SurferJoe46 mentioned flat cams which require certain additives other wise they wear rapidly.

as far as the poll goes........i do my own plus most of the work vehicles as well. so hard to get good mechanics that can actually do a decent oil change. the last few times a mechanic (more like the apprentice) did the oil change it was way over filled with oil causing engine run on.
then theres the ones that bill you for a new filter but its never been changed :(
tweak'e (69)
1207141 2011-06-05 07:39:00 We cannot get that purple stuff here :p
The best might be Mobile 1 - 0-40w.

We'll just get our mechanic to loosen it and we'll finger tighten it :D
We are running on Shell Helix HX7 which is 10-40 if I am correct and supports VW 502.00, I didn't think we needed 504.00 (or was that 503.00).
Nomad (952)
1207142 2011-06-05 07:56:00 ....0-weight oil as a base, and that's the same viscosity as water!

That is a slight dramatic exaggeration :) Water at 20C is 1 cSt (centistokes), and 0.29cSt at 100C: whereas 0W oil is 3.8cSt at 100C
Terry Porritt (14)
1207143 2011-06-05 09:01:00 I seem to remember reading an article a decade or so ago that stated the older grading scales like 20W40 were largely bollox.

The article recommended greater attention to the S? grade, being SF/SG/SH... the higher the second letter the more modern the car it suited, so get the appropriate S rating, and tailor the older 20W40 style of thing to suit your local environmental temperature ranges.

I have heard of piercing a filter with a screwdriver in order to get more torque on it... but best left as a last resort.

There's a knack to using filter wrenches, and to the uninitiated they can seem clumsy and awkward.

If your filter is not the typical size you might find the strap and lever style of wrench easier to adapt to the job.
Paul.Cov (425)
1207144 2011-06-05 09:32:00 SAE viscosity classifications and API Service or duty ratings for oils are quite separate and measure totally different things. Terry Porritt (14)
1207145 2011-06-05 10:50:00 I just take mine down to oil changers Hornby. Cost me a hair under $70 last time IIRC.

I would do it myself quite happily, but once you factor in getting some decent oil, a new filter, then getting under the car, changing it, getting rid of the old stuff (responsibly!), etc etc, for me at least, it works out about even, and when you include free oil topups, plus free tire inflation, window clean, and all that other fluff, it works out a good deal. For me at least.

Only problem is that they seem to reckon that my power steering fluid, diff, and transmission oil need doing too, and they want a pretty penny for that.

Screw the diff oil, I've got two of 'em if one carks it.
ubergeek85 (131)
1207146 2011-06-05 11:39:00 Easy for our family car it gets no oil or filter change ever. The reason is simple economics waste of money. If and when the engine starts to burn oil or lose compression it will get dumped down at pick a part. Do change the brake fluid and fuel filter on it every second Xmas and its had one air filter element.
Bought car new had free servicing for 3 years now just run it into the ground and buy another new one.
prefect (6291)
1207147 2011-06-05 14:34:00 I use Castrol Magnatec,10-50 and a new filter from super cheap.

Only buy oil on special and save up to $15 per 4 lts.
Cicero (40)
1207148 2011-06-05 23:14:00 I used to do the oil changes (I used synthetic oils, especially on the motorcycles. Castrol, IIRC) and brakes on my vehicles when I was young and stupid.

Now my local Honda dealership does that messy job for me, along with a full service, once a year, whether I need it or not! :D

Apart from the barked knuckles trying to get the oil filter off/out, the biggest problem is getting rid of the waste product....
johcar (6283)
1207149 2011-06-05 23:50:00 On my Honda Rafaga I have to use a socket type filter wrench and basically do it by touch as it is in such an awkward spot and can't help but get oil over the engine as it comes out sideways. Always leave it parked on the road after first run so it doesn't drip on the concrete. mikebartnz (21)
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