i know most of you already know how to change your oil, but there are some who still do not. this thread is for them. i know there are some other DIY oil change threads but none with pics. heres the low down of what you will need:
TOOLS NEEDED: oil pan: 14mm wrench: 17mm wrench (for my oil filter wrench not pictured) good jack (dont mind the one in the picture mine got stolen): jack stand: 4QTS of oil: oil filter: oil filter wrench: and a beer if you so desire (i do desire)

first you want to pop the hood and open the oil cap:

then you want to jack up the vehicle (i use the chassis)

then put the jack stand under the arrow on the sideskirt:

then place the pil catch pan under the oil pan:

take your 14mm wrench and losen then drain plug and remove:


then remove the oil filter with a oil filter wrench and drain:

replace the drain plug
wipe off the mounting plate and then using the new oil, lube the rubber gasket on the new filter, and install:
add new oil (you can use a funnel, but i never do: lower the car and start. check for leaks and oil level. then drive around the block. and your done.

 

nice write up lol
good job looking out for the new guys, everybudy's got to learn at some point.

 

Good Job with the pics....time for a Sticky or Tech add from a MOD!!!!

 

ive always wondered this... what do you do with the old oil?

 

Some garages recycle it. You just bring it over and give to them. I used to put mine in a old milk jug.

 

i still dont know how to change oil but i do now! thanks!

and to playinwithfire youre suppose to dispose it a special way but my friends just threw it into a city dumpster. WHICH IS NOT RECOMMENDED!

 

i just fill the oil bottles with the old oil and either bring it to the local jiffylube/valvoline/speedy or to the local recycle center.

 

For those that have not done it, you should add to NEVER tighten the filter with the filter wrench. Tighten it hand tight only.

If you dont have a filter wrench handy, and dont want to buy one for some reason, use an old belt (leather is the best). Works about as well as the wrench will. Loop the belt through the buckle without buckling it and place over the filter so that pulling the tail end of the belt towards the buckle will be turning the filter the right direction. My saturn is a pain to get a wrench on and that is the easiest way to get to it.

As for the write up, good work.. people seem to forget that some have never done this themselves... and they can save some cash by doing it. This car is super easy to do it on.

 

ALSO.. note.... when installing the new filter.. HAND-TIGHTEN it.

edit: ahh!! dave beat me by one minute!

 

any recommendations for oil brands?

 

mobil 1 seems to be the oil of choice.

i'm using redline personally. i get it at about the same price.

 

Nice write up! I will consider doing it myself the next time, but does it void the warranty if I do it myself tho? My friend took her car to a non dealer for oil change n they messed up, she took it back to the dealer n they told her that if she gets oil change or anything anywhere else but a dealer it voids the warranty.

 

wow.
no. I forget where the uber "does-this-void-my-warranty" thread is. but search for it. Its pretty tough to void your warranty.

 

here it is!
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55338

 

Great idea, I'll have to give that a try. Sure beats the old "ram a screwdriver through the filter horizontally" method I've used more than once!

 

if i may add, with our Tc, if you have a stock spring you probably don't need the jack....and also, you may wanna check the rubber gasket from the old filter, somtimes its stick at the mounting plate, and if you put the new filter with it, you're are looking for a major clean up.... good write up!!!

 

^^ true on the gasket.. you will end up with a puddle of nasty stuff it is left on there


As far as voiding the warranty, it is not only tough to do.. it is impossible. NOTHING voids the warranty unless there is a specific clause in the warranty, which there is not. Now, if someone else changes your oil, and messes something up, then forget getting warrranty coverage for that specific problem. but you still have a warranty.

 

what?! where??

 

Have you always been using M1 in your car? How does tC like it? I'm about to switch to it after this run of GTX for breaking in.

One thing I would like to add. Don't take the oil cap completely off. Take it off, but lay it over the hole at an angle. helps minimizing dust and stuff from going in.

And remember to replace the crush washer once in a while

 

you're supposed to replace it every oil change.

i know a small tuning/race shop near my house that is a dealer for all redline products. he gave me a great deal on $7/bottle. including my MT-90.

near Garden Grove there's Super Autobacs, but not sure on their prices. you can check the Redline website for dealers in the area and call around.