You need a certain torque for the oil drain bolt? So I need to buy a torque wrench? Is tightening it pretty tight with a socket wrench not the right way to do it?

 

I wish i had a garage..I would love to work on my box my self.

 

I work on computers and networks all day and have little urge to spend my free time performing car maintenance. I really respect that most of you change your oil (and more) yourselves, but it just isn't for me.

 

Stu, the video Tomas posted tells you pretty much everything you need to know. What I'd add to that information is that you're better off with a cup-style filter wrench (looks like a giant black socket that slips over the end of the filter and attaches to a 3/8" ratchet) -- those loop-style filter wrenches can be a bear to use in tight spaces. If your car's a tC, the filter sits upright in a little cubby on the bottom of the engine, so the cup-style wrench is much easier to use.

The oil drain bolt is easy to locate too -- the tC's got everything so conveniently located that you don't even need to lift the front of the car. Just lay down on the ground in front of it and reach your arm under. As for torquing the drain bolt, I don't bother with a torque wrench, I just tighten it till it's good and snug without being a bear to get loose again. (I'd also recommend using the filter wrench to tighten the filter down -- when your hands are a little oily it's hard to get a good grip and tighten it by hand. Just screw it on till it snugs up, then give it a 3/4 turn with the filter wrench.)

I used one of my free Scion oil changes, then decided it was a waste of my time. The ten bucks it saves me isn't worth the hour or two it kills. And I recently switched to synthetic oil anyway, so now I wouldn't let the dealership touch the oil drain plug even for a major service. (I intend to do all scheduled maintenance myself for as long as I can -- I think I can handle the 15k maintenance, but for the 30k I may need to take the car in -- I'll probably use my own private mechanic though, not the dealership.)

--mark

 

I do the same which is why I like working on my cars.... its good therapy.. Nice to do some real work!