oil change

[graver555]

I have a saturn sl2 that is too low for ramps but our jack dose not go high enough to get it on jack stands. I usually put the tire under the frame or if I'm doing real work I'll find the biggest log that works.

Also on the oil my old man has been doing a quart of synthetic into the rest dino oil. Aparently you get most of the benefits of synthetic without paying nearly as much. Kinda like the blends I guess.

Anyone have horror stories of getting filters off? They nvr come off easy for me.

 

[Balog]

I have a saturn sl2 that is too low for ramps but our jack dose not go high enough to get it on jack stands. I usually put the tire under the frame or if I'm doing real work I'll find the biggest log that works.

Also on the oil my old man has been doing a quart of synthetic into the rest dino oil. Aparently you get most of the benefits of synthetic without paying nearly as much. Kinda like the blends I guess.

Anyone have horror stories of getting filters off? They nvr come off easy for me.

That mixing oil thing seems like a bad idea...

And what kind of filter wrench are you using?

 

[MatticusMania]

Does your Saturn have the oil filter at the top? If so, theres make a socket attachment that makes taking the filter off a breeze.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-14700-Canister-Socket-Ecotec/dp/B0009OMYAQ

 

[graver555]

No its underneath. Not bad to get out one its unscrewed. Not sure if I could fit a wrench in there otherwise I would pick one up. First time it got pretty messed up takeing it off and took half a day. Ended up using a sliding wood clamp to wrench it off.

 

[Mike N]

No problem mixing the oils, despite what some old timers or websites may tell you.

This type of filter wrench is pretty universal. Harbor Freight carries it for less than $15.

 

[graver555]

I might have to get myself one of those. Im pretty sure that would fit in the area I need it in. Cant be worse then the screwdriver method at any rate.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

I have a saturn sl2 that is too low for ramps

I built step-ups for my ramps out of 1x12 lumber (what I had sitting around at the time). Stuck them in front of the ramps and I could get my lowered Cobra onto them without bumping or scraping anything.
This is a picture of someone else's ramp helpers. Mine were similar.

 

[graver555]

I built step-ups for my ramps out of 1x12 lumber (what I had sitting around at the time). Stuck them in front of the ramps and I could get my lowered Cobra onto them without bumping or scraping anything.
This is a picture of someone else's ramp helpers. Mine were similar.

My ramps are alot steeper and taller then that but with a few more boards that looks like it would work great.

 

[carl h.]

They make a ramp specifically for low clearance cars with long overhangs. I've got a set somewhere. My MG fits regular ramps just fine.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have a saturn sl2 that is too low for ramps but our jack dose not go high enough to get it on jack stands. I usually put the tire under the frame or if I'm doing real work I'll find the biggest log that works.

Also on the oil my old man has been doing a quart of synthetic into the rest dino oil. Aparently you get most of the benefits of synthetic without paying nearly as much. Kinda like the blends I guess.

Anyone have horror stories of getting filters off? They nvr come off easy for me.

If you want a blend buy the oil that way so the chemistry is correct. You don't have to mix it yourself.

 

[tycobb73]

So what if you drive 40,000 miles a year and your goal is to get 300,000 out of the engine? How quickly should you change it? My 2005 Ford that I bought in the beginning of 2008 with 10,000 now has 220,000 miles on it and I'm hoping to get about another 2 years out of it. I'm worried about sludge build up more than the oil breaking down.

 

[COBRARI]

Changing your oil quickly or taking your time doing it makes no difference.
Today, most if not all auto parts stores sell an oil that is disigned for "high milage" cars.
Start using it. 40k per year is a lot of driving. I used to put the same amount on my cars when I traveled all over the state working construction.
Sounds like you have a good car and I hope you get 300,000 miles out of it.
Changing the oil is inexpensive and for you, with the amount of milage per year you are driving, I would change it every 10,000 miles.

 

[hdracer]

You can not change your oil to often.
On my race engines I change it every 1/4 mile.
My street engines never see over 3500 miles with synthetic.
YMMV

 

[Riseinside1892]

You can not change your oil to often.
On my race engines I change it every 1/4 mile.
My street engines never see over 3500 miles with synthetic.
YMMV

Exactly. Clean oil is a great extra insurance policy. Keeping the oil clean saves alot of potential issues

 

[Pilgrim]

For most cars, oil and filter every 5K are just fine. It helps to change the air filter on a regular basis, too.

 

[hdracer]

Exactly. Clean oil is a great extra insurance policy. Keeping the oil clean saves alot of potential issues

I always tell my customers that oil is a lot cheaper than engines or engine rebuilds but they don't listen and that lets me make more money so I can buy things.

 

[Bloodhammer]

No problem mixing the oils, despite what some old timers or websites may tell you.

This type of filter wrench is pretty universal. Harbor Freight carries it for less than $15.

I like the strap wrench style:

 

[marko138]

I've never used a tool to get my filter off. Always able to twist it off.

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

I've never used a tool to get my filter off. Always able to twist it off.

Me^

Well except when I buy used vehicles (often) seems there always redic tight. In that instance a screw driver struck through the side of it works.

 

[graver555]

I like the strap wrench style:

I just picked one of those up in a pile of junk someone through out after a yardsale. It was an amazing pile too. Steel toe boots, couple tools, cardtable, cooler, two green welding aprons and a nice leather one, and various other stuff.

Almost looked like someone died and the wife didnt know what was what after the sale. (I hope not as I dont like to profit off others misfortune though)

As for the mixing oil Im not entirely hooked on it yet. Dosnt help my dads roadmaster just started leaking oil. Hopefully its the pan gasket and not the rear seal.

Oh and is expensice oil worth it if you can only change it say 6k or half the price oil if you change it every 3k.