Knocked out my first Oil Change today!

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shanester

shanester

10 Year
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San Diego, CA
Edit: Clarification, first DIY oil change - and boy was it a mess! Was a windy day in San Diego and that wind struck the oil as it drained. It turned a 30'ish minute job into a 2 hour job :doh: Other than that, it was a very satisfying experience to do this job on my own and many thanks to all that have shared their knowledge in other threads on how to do it properly.

I went with Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 and a Mobil 1 Oil Filter. Since this is the first time synthetic is being used in the truck, how many miles am I good for until my next oil change is due?

Thanks guys :cheers:
 
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I had to chuckle "windy day" we've all been there, in one way or another. Congratulations on the DIY.

I'd go no more than 2 - 3K miles, this first time. You're ok to go 5K miles, just keep in mind the synthetic oil is cleaning the gunk out. This includes off the seals. Which is why many say don't switch to synthetic at high millage or oil will leak. Mobil 1 adds seal modifiers that swell the seals. You want them as clean as possible so the additive can do it's job. Additionally some oil remain after draining, which I like out/diluted ASAP. Unless one knows history your mixing oils and also risking cleaned gunk clogging filter. Cheap insurance.

Tips for next oil change: Always start bolts & nuts by hand. Torque drain bolt to 29 ft Lb and change the drain plug gasket (washer) each time it's removed. Pick-up a hand full of gaskets next time your at the Steeler. Put a thin layer of oil on the rubber gasket of the oil filter and pour a little in filter before installing, this makes next removal easier and primes pump. Drain after warm up.
 
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I would think you are safe to about 5k miles, might watch around the valve covers to see if they seep at all and need to be tightened up. The one tip I will pass on is to always make sure the old oil filter seal comes off, 1 time I didn't check on my 4Runner and it blew clean oil all over the engine and floor, if you think it is hard to wipe up old oil try fresh oil, it is a mess.
 
:clap:Clap, clap, cheer, cheer! Sounds like you're on the DIY path now. One further thought on the oil changes. Make sure the filter gasket stays on the old filter and doesn't get stuck on the engine. You don't want a double filter on there. I'd second the idea of an early change when switching to synthetic. And pick a windless day!
 
:beer::beer:

Windy is never fun, but one tip is to make sure you warm up the engine if cold and open the fill cap. This will help the oil flow fast and minimize the wind spraying oil everywhere. I usually drive a few miles 'around the block' before I do my oil change.

I am thankful that my Dad showed me how to do an oil change and encouraged me to help when I was younger.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty (although I wear nitrile gloves ;)) and tackle some other maintenance/repair jobs. It is definitely satisfying and generally straight forward as long as you read up. You will begin to appreciate your vehicle and gain confidence.
 
oil changes on the LX are so awesome. no need for jack stands or a jack. just put it AHC in high, slide under and go to work!
 
^Yup. 15 minute job.
 
Like others I would definitely recommend the Fumoto drain valve, especially the one that you can attach a piece of hose to so the wind isn't a problem again. :)

I do want to add my opinion on switching to synthetic from regular oil. I have switched many vehicles from regular to synthetic oil at different mileages, and I haven't experienced one engine form leaks or have any negative effects from it. And some of those engines weren't Japanese spec. Needless to say, after my first oil change to synthetic I usually wait 5k, then wait 6-8k for proceeding oil changes. Been doing that for all my personally owned vehicles and any I take care of.

Blackstone lab results and a dry garage floor are proof enough to me that I'm doing something right! ;)
 
DirtDawg said:
Like others I would definitely recommend the Fumoto drain valve, especially the one that you can attach a piece of hose to so the wind isn't a problem again. :)
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How do you guys manage the Fumoto drain valve's not being torn to bits off-road? Everybody runs a mid-section armor so it doesn't stick out waiting for something to hit it?
 
The drain valve doesn't hang down that bad at all, I'd be worried about hitting other things before that. I've never gotten close to it offroad, as it only hangs down an inch or so. Plus the splash guards/skids protect it. The one on my LX has a nipple attached to it that I can connect a hose to for draining.
 
I see the over-maintenance crowd is already here :lol:. I do 10,000 miles on synthetic oil, and switched at high mileage. The 2UZ-FE motor just doesn't leak like others do. Both my cruisers are over 200K, no adverse affects from 10K intervals. But hey, if you wanna throw down the money twice as often, go for it...
 
re_guderian said:
I see the over-maintenance crowd is already here :lol:. I do 10,000 miles on synthetic oil, and switched at high mileage. The 2UZ-FE motor just doesn't leak like others do. Both my cruisers are over 200K, no adverse affects from 10K intervals. But hey, if you wanna throw down the money twice as often, go for it...
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This ^ I do 8k because it makes me feel better :) But the amsoil I use is recommended for 10k, and the several times I have waited til 10k to change it, the blackstone report doesn't differ from my 8k changes.

They made synthetics to run longer for a reason...
 
re_guderian said:
I see the over-maintenance crowd is already here :lol:. I do 10,000 miles on synthetic oil, and switched at high mileage. The 2UZ-FE motor just doesn't leak like others do. Both my cruisers are over 200K, no adverse affects from 10K intervals. But hey, if you wanna throw down the money twice as often, go for it...
Click to expand...

Yeah, i never new you had to change oil more often initially after going to synthetic. I just swapped it and waited the normal interval. No issues, and no oil leaks on drive way. This was on a 02 xterra, '10 cross tour, and now the '01 LC.
 
Congrats Shanester. I could have written this same exact post being as though I did my first oil change as well Sunday. Same oil and same filter and my first time. It took me longer than it should have and my oil catcher aim was poor so now I have a good oil stain on the driveway. No cares though, the driveway needs to be replaced anyway. What took me some time was I had to PB Blast the drain plug and found out my newly purchased torque wrench doesn't fit my sockets. The oil filter was super easy to get off.
 
Wow PB Blaster on the oil pan drain plug. First time i've heard of that.
 
It doesn't surprise me...the first oil change I did, the filter was so tight I crushed it trying to get it off.
 
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