Having a Fun Time Changing Oil

You're all right, Kathleen. That silence you think you hear is actually a couple hundred of us nodding and rolling our eyes. Been there...

How long have you been doing your own oil changes?

You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes.

Also forgot to screw the oil filler cap back in many years ago. Then drove about 3o miles at high speed before I noticed the oil droplets hitting the windshield. "Funny looking rain," I says.

I could go on...

 

:lol: I'm still laughing an hour after I first read your post...........Too funny! :lol:

 

I drive a nail (or a nail-set punch) through the bottom of the old filter. Pull it back out and let the oil from the filter drain into the pan before you take the filter off. That was my only mess point when I started changing the oil on the Prius.

Somehow, I can get the plug out without getting much oil on myself, so I'm down to a pretty clean process.

Anyone can kick the jug of oil over, that's just a bad day. :huh:

 

this is why i have my husband just take the car to work with him

you can bet i know how to change oil in a car but it's much easier for him to bring the car to the shop and do it... (and frank, i know what you're going to say already, ok? :lol

 

Speaking of the drain plug...I thought I saw someone on here that had a magnetic drain plug. Anyone have any experience with those? I seem to recall that it was Windstrings that had it...

 

Kathleen2, did you remember to install a crush washer with the Fumoto valve?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]254645[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 02:08 AM) [snapback]254645[/snapback]</div>

Moral: don't get married.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 12:45 AM) [snapback]254583[/snapback]</div>

Been there, done that! That's why I always lay down a big sheet of cardboard in my garage bays now. Even today, with the Fumoto valve already installed, I still had a dribble that missed the pan because I had the jack too close to where the pan needed to be. :angry: Then, I made the mistake of loosening the oil filter while the valve was still draining, and a bunch of oil ran down my arm onto the cardboard before I could screw it back tight enough again.
Oh well, nothing a new sheet of cardboard won't fix.

 

Did my first oil change today also. Installed fumoto valve as well. I punched a hole in the oil filter and got everything out but when I unscrewed the filter, more oil dripped down. I forgot to leave the oil filler cap open. Not sure how much that will help next time.

I actually remembered to use one of the tip I read on this board about cutting 2 liter soda bottle to unscrew oil filter and catch oil and filter but I couldn't find one at home.

Dennis

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ May 13 2006, 11:17 AM) [snapback]254787[/snapback]</div>

who me! what would give you an idea like that??

 

I have been paying the $4.00 per hour charge to use a lift on base. Being able to stand under the car is a big plus in my book.

I always remove the filter first, since that's the only thing that's going to stop me from changing the oil (if I can't get it unscrewed). It makes a bit of a mess, but I'm careful to only get my fingertips oily.

Once it's done dripping, I wet the new filter's gasket and screw it on tight. After that, standard drinplug action. I usually get some oil on my hand when the bolt finally comes free, but I almost never drop the bolt. That's as messy as it gets.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ May 14 2006, 06:03 PM) [snapback]255450[/snapback]</div>

Rember that a plastic bag works just dandy too. That's all I ever use.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 12:45 AM) [snapback]254583[/snapback]</div>

After you filled the oil filter 3/4 full, how much more oil did it take to get the required level? I've read conflicting threads about just how much oil the Prius will hold. :huh:

What did the total amount of oil come out to be?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BellBoy @ May 13 2006, 03:02 PM) [snapback]254804[/snapback]</div>

I made my own mag. oil plug from a round magnet 1/4 " X 1/4 " bought it from Lee Valley and the original plug,
cost .99 cents
I change my oil about between 3 and 4 thousand miles. every time I remove the plug it has a gray bobble of matelic oil over the magnet.

 

What did you use to adhere the magnet to the plug?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 12 2006, 11:45 PM) [snapback]254583[/snapback]</div>

Any tips for a new prius owner that is thinking about doing their own oil changes?

I'm at about 2k miles on my prius and have been tossing the idea back and forth about doing my own changes. Mainly because I can control what oil goes in, how much goes in, etc. Also I don't know if I trust my car with most places.

I've never done an oil change on a car myself so I'm looking for the beginners approach. My main questions are :

1. Where do you take the used oil?

2. How do you prop up the Prius when you do the change? I'm assuming you just jack it up. If so where's the best place for the jack?

3. Any special tools needed?

4. Do you recommend a magnetic drain plug?

5. What is a fumoto valve? Does it help in changing the oil the next time?

Thanks!