DIY Oil Changes

Mark Cahill

Mark Cahill

Full ISDC Members 2015Member Number 555
Going to give this a go myself for a change. I want to start getting more hands on with the car. I have a silly question about axel stands when doing it. Do you guys use 2 or 4? I know the car is meant to be level but i myself would be a bit wary of putting the car up on 4 stands. That and i only have 2 anyway! :wall:

Were will i pick up an oil pan for catching the used oil? I tried Halfords and a motor factors this morning but neither had any! Will i also need a filter grip to loosen the filter or can they be loosened by hand?

I usually use 10w40 Mobil 1 Super S very high performance oil, but it is only a semi-synthetic. I've been told i should be using a fully synthetic oil for my car. It is a road car and won't be going near a track so is there any need to change from what i have been using?

I assume the sump in a Legacy is the same as an Impreza, so if i pour 4 litres in and then start dipping i should be ok?? :dontknow:

Probably silly questions, but i'm a complete rookie when it comes to working on cars like this!

Cheers
Mark :thumbsup:
 
yes you will probably need a oil filter removal thingy as it will have gotten tight from been on the car for a while. you could use a basin or 2 plastic jugs to hold the old oil and then put it with a funnel back into empty containers. I usually just jack up the front and stick in some axle stands to get the oil draining out and then lower it back down a bit to get it level. having the engine warm when draining the oil helps it come out quicker as the oil is thinner
 
The sump nut is on the rear of the sump on my 92 legacy so jacking up the front is better.

Prepare well for spillage is the most important thing i think. :icon_blahblah:

You should be able to unscrew the filter by hand with a cloth, again on my 92 legacy its very accessible from under the car.

Check the user manual and it will tell you the exact amount of oil to go in. :ponder2:

Start the car when your finished and let it run for a few mins to fill the filter. :whistle:

When you turn off the engine allow the oil to run down to the sump again to get a correct level reading, if you dip straight away it might look low :thumbsup:

Be very careful tightening the sump nut too, the manual says 1/4 of a turn from tight i think but check that, if you thread the sump ids a balls
 
Legy C said:
Start the car when your finished and let it run for a few mins to fill the filter. :whistle:
Click to expand...

I have absolutely no mechanical knowledge but I believe this is a big no no with Subarus. Filter should be filled with oil before fitting & let settle into filter & top-up again :thumbsup:
 
yes that was recommended to me too , filter actually takes a good bit of oil too once all the oil soaks into it
 
@ - mark - you can just catch the oil in an old oil can, if you cut one side off it and ly it on the ground, should do the job no bother for you.

i was told to use fully syn in mine, also when you finished filling it up with oil just turn over the car without starting it, just to get the oil back aroung the engine
 
I used 2 axel stands on the front and then propped the back up with the trolley jack to be level.

I fill the new filter with oil at the start to allow for air bubbles to work their way out by time you have it all drained and cleaned up.

If you call in to one of your local shops and ask for a large mayo bucket that they would be throwing out with a lid to catch the oil and then dispose of in your local recycling centre, failing that you should try to keep the large paint buckets when you've finished doing a spot of DIY....

Oil filter should be removable by hand but just in case pop down to halfords or your local motor shop for the filter wrench thing - should be only a couple of euro.

Enjoy
 
STi Brian said:
Legy C said:
Start the car when your finished and let it run for a few mins to fill the filter. :whistle:
Click to expand...

I have absolutely no mechanical knowledge but I believe this is a big no no with Subarus. Filter should be filled with oil before fitting & let settle into filter & top-up again :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I think this is how its done. I've never done it myself but...
Open the refill cap on the top of the engine. Empty out the old oil. Take off the filter. Put new genuine subaru washer on the sump plug and put back in. Fill the filter and put a bit of oil around the top of the filter with your finger then fit it. fill with new oil and put cap back on. I think you take off the crank sensor and turn the car over with the key a couple of times . Then put it back on and start the car and let it run for 5 minutes. Thats how I think its done anyway :icon_grin:
 
Hi Mark.
I always start with the engine warm and just jack the car up at the drivers side as the drain plug is on the bottom of the sump but passenger side. Allows more oil out than jacking up the other side.
You'll pick up an oil filter tool in Lidl for cheap when they have the car stuff in. Otherwise the motor factors next to Fusion sell them. They also sell little trolly jacks for 25euro which are far handier than the jack in your car.
Im using Mobil 1, 15w50 fully synthetic at the moment as Halfords got back in the 5 Litre bottles. Its 73euro but im with Axa so get 15% off in Halfords so works out just under 60euro. Give me a shout if you want to use the card and ill meet up with you over the weekend.
I Use a Basin for washing dishes to drain the oil into then get an empty 5litre water bottle and funnel it into that using a 2litre bottle neck.
I always slowly fill the new oil filter as it takes several minutes to soak in the oil and the air to escape. :thumbsup:
 
Its called an Axa plus card.
Just arrived in the door about 2 months after i got the policy. Came wiyh a book showing all sorts of discounts for various things and places.
go to www.axaplus.ie
 
Cheers for that Matt! Think i might go Motul this time but if not i'll give you a shout! :thumbsup:
 
No worries. Used Motul myself the first couple of times as its supposed to be the best. :thumbsup:
 
ive an oil filter removal tool here if yer stuck. i allways give the car a run prior to draining or do it after ive been out, but not too warm as taking off the filter oils usually runs down yer arm.ive a jack and stands too :thumbsup:
 
Get yourself an old tray to, to put under your basin, might save you staining the drive way,

Take your time and you'll be grand. Oil fiter also comes off by turning it anti-clockwise too.:thumbsup:

Usally there only ever on hand tight.
 
make sure you fill the filter with oil before fitting its very important. stops the car running low as it a flat four fill the filter wait a second till it takes it all in and add more
 
Doing this now today and just wondering is there a right/wrong way to fill the filter? How do you know when its full?? :thumbsup:
 
And done forget to rub some oil around the rubber o-ring on the filter :thumbsup:
 
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