I'm taking my tC to the dealer in an hour to do an oil change at 1000 miles. They're giving me a hard time about this saying I don't need to do it for a while. Whatever they say I am going to do my oil change and I want to locate my oil filter and mark it to make sure they actually change it. I don't have time to lift up my car so could somebody help me locate the oil filter so I could mark it. Thanks.

 

I don't understand why some shops give hard times about this, you're a paying customer, they need to shut up and just do it.

 

its under the car. you dont have to lift up the car but you have to get under it. its near the front passenger wheel directly next to the oilpan.

 

thanks so much for your quick response.

 

Ignore your dealer.

For what it's worth, I've got just over 5000 miles on my tC and I've already done three oil changes (I'll be doing the fourth this weekend). I did the first at around 400 miles, the second at 1000, and the third at 3000. Now that I'm at 5000 miles I'm going to switch to synthetic oil and maintain 5000-mile intervals.

For what it's worth, my tC is getting better-than-EPA fuel mileage (I've been averaging 30-32mpg highway, and I drive aggressively -- quick acceleration, cruising speeds of at least 75mph). I attribute this gas mileage to frequent clean oil during break-in, as well as not babying the engine (a lot of mechanics will tell you that giving the engine a decent workout during break-in helps to seat the piston rings, increasing power and fuel efficiency later in the engine's life).

--mark

 

Used the same break in procedure as you, I am a firm believer in not babying a car. I drove normal for 500 miles and let her have it. I have installed a built motor in my DSM and raced it the same day. Never had a problem.

 

interesting, with the free changes, I do it every 3000, did my second over a week ago. I'm at 8000, so after the last free change, I'm switching to mobile1 syn and 5000mi. right now I average 22-26, hopefully syn will bring it up.

 

Haven't touched the free oil changes, using mobil1 every 5000 miles.

This weekend, but another 1.5k miles on my baby, 23 mpg on the way up, 31 mpg on the way back.

The way up was into a 30-50 mph wind The way back was nice, other than driving on 1/2" of ice.

 

Im sure everyone knows this but just a reminder: Once you go to synthetic you CAN"T go back

 

Why would you want to switch back?

 

I switch from synthetic to dino and back in my cars fairly often. Doesn't hurt a thing as the engine doesn't know the difference. Where this myth originated is beyond me.