Can you mess up a Cars oil change?

Question

Jiffy Lube wants to charge me 39.99 plus tax to do an oil change, vacuum my already clean car, and top off my already topped off fluids. Its a used car I just bought -- 2005 Nissan Sentra

If I raise my car, is an oil change as simple as
1. unscrew a bolt
2. Let the oil drip
3. tighten the bolt
4. unscrew the oil filter
5. attach the new oil filter
6 add more oil

Thats what my friend told me.
Is this right? Or can I mess up somewhere?

Answer 1

Thats right. But you could mess up by putting the wrong weight of oil in the car. If your car says to put 5W-30 weight oil in the engine and you put 10W30 instead then you might have a problem. Another common problem is that you could put to little or too much oil back in the car. Make sure you have the right amount of oil in the car. You can tell by the dipstick. Once last easy problem is that you could not tighten either to drain bolt or the oil filter enough and you would start leaking oil and loose oil pressure and blow your engine.

Changing your oil is a real money saver and is not too complicated. Just don't mess up on those common mistakes listed above and you will be fine.

Answer 2

Yep. It's as simple as all that. Mind you for only $40, it's not such a bad deal. You'll pay about $8-$10 bucks for the filter, another $10 - $15 bucks for the oil, about 45 minutes for the oil to finish emptying the pan and another 30 minutes vacuuming out your car. You might save a total of $20 if you get the oil and filter on sale. And hopefully you already have the right sized ratchet for the plug and a filter wrench. A little helpful hint here ... put some of the fresh oil into the new filter before putting in place and smear some around the gasket. It makes for easier changing in the future.

Answer 3

There are many ways to screw up an oil change. I have seen people do things like forgetting to put the drain plug back in or greatly overfill the crankcase.
Basically though, oil changes are pretty simple. The important part is properly getting rid of the used oil. Most auto parts stores will accept it for free. Just don't put it in a storm drain or down the sink drain.
Personally, I have changed oil hundreds of times but nowadays, it costs much less money than my effort to have it done at a "quicklube joint". They do more than just change the oil, they lube grease points, check and refill other fluids, and make other checks you may overlook. Well worth the cost.

Additional tips: Start and warm your engine on level ground then (after turning it off) let the oil drain for at least 15 minutes before replacing the drain plug (don't forget to replace it). Put oil on the filter gasket before installing and make sure to use the recommended oil.

Answer 4

Thats right but make sure the oil filter gasket comes off with the old filter. I learned the hard way. The old gasket was stuck to the block off center and I put the new filter on. Started the truck, lost oil pressure,lots of cat litter you get the idea. Another thing is that even though they make cars pretty dumb proof. Don't drain the tansmission fluid and add twice as much oil. My other learning experience when I was a kid working on my dads 66 chevy.

Answer 5

Other than putting in the right type and quantity of oil there is one thing and pretty much only one thing you can mess up. When you put the new filter on, first look at the slot where the old one came out, their will must likely be a rubber gasket or seal there, take it off, throw it away, your new filter has one on there already. If you put the new filter on without doing this you'll have two gaskets. This is called double gasketing it. Your oil will leak to no end and then you wont know why so you'll end up taking it to jiffy lube and getting screwed out of tons of money. Trust me, they have ways of screwing you over.

Answer 6

That's pretty much it. You want to be sure to put the correct amount of oil back in, too much is just as bad as not enough. So you need to know how many quarts your car takes, because, the amount that you drain out, may be less than what it really needs, you could be a quart low, so you would need to bring the oil level up to what is required. Continue with the same grade oil also, such as 10/40, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. You can look over your own hoses, touch them and determine if they are showing wear or not. You do need to be able to get under the car, to get the filter.

Answer 7

Well you have to make sure you have the correct oil filter. Make sure the seal comes off with the filter. Get the right amount of oil. Don't turn the filter the wrong way when you remove it. Don't forget to check for leaks. But yeah it's very easy,getting to the filter sometimes is not.

Answer 8

Yes, except and jiffy lube forgets this also, make sure the bolt and filter are tight. first time you go somewhere, when getting back into the car, check and see if there is a fresh oil spot under your car.

Answer 9

that's basically it. the only thing to watch is to make sure the oil filter is not too tight or too loose. after changing the oil, start the car and look underneath for anything dripping. your cost will be about $12-$15 but you have to dispose of the oil.

Answer 10

Go to walmart tire lube express they are alot cheaper

$21.88 Economy Plus (Quakerstate oil)
This is only lube oil & filter service if you dont want the car lubed just tell them not to do it but it wont change the price...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=495848