Changing oil yourself - what is everyone using? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bradrulz · 08-24-2012, 04:17 PM

I am thinking of starting to do my own oil changes as it is a fraction of the cost and you don't have to worry about someone not respecting your car.

Wondering what supplies/tools everyone is using for a 1LT V6?
Tire ramps?
Just a floor jack?

Oil catch?

What oil filter brand?
What oil brand?

I am thinking of using Amsoil XL, but still do the changes every 4,000 to 5,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice.

pyr0b0y · 08-24-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradrulz

I am thinking of starting to do my own oil changes as it is a fraction of the cost and you don't have to worry about someone not respecting your car.

Wondering what supplies/tools everyone is using for a 1LT V6?
Tire ramps?
Just a floor jack?

Oil catch?

What oil filter brand?
What oil brand?

I am thinking of using Amsoil XL, but still do the changes every 4,000 to 5,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice.

Low profile 3 ton jack - no tire ramps
Mobil 1 10w30
Wix oil filter

ICTsccaCamaro · 08-30-2012, 10:40 PM

One of my lifts at work and Mobil 1 sorry I had too

BowlingSS · 09-01-2012, 02:39 PM

I use ramps. Got mine at Wally World. It is real easy to just drive up. Block the rear wheels.
I have been using Castrio Edge with a K&N filter. Next oil change I will be going to Royal Purple with a K&N filter. Just pick up a drain pan from any auto parts. If you use a K&N filter they have a 1" nut on the bottom. I think you will also need a 15mm on the drain plug. I have a Gold drain plug and it uses a 13mm.

Good luck. I have been doing my own oil changes for 30 years.

I heard Amsoil is great oil.

When you do it yourself you know it was done right.

Bill

NFERNOSS · 09-02-2012, 11:18 AM

just a note. Make sure the oil being used meets the Dexos 1 standard for the MY2011 and above. Castrol Edge meets it, as does the regular RP, have not found any hard data showing that the RP HPS meets this requirement. Should be a green Dexos symbol on the bottle indicating such. The Dexos 1 standard for the MY2011 and above was put into effect for improved performance and due to the timing chain issues in the V6 engines due to the longevity of the oil monitor system in the MY2010's that were going way beyond normal oil change intervals. This time span has since been resolved with an update in the 10's, but better safe than sorry for warranty reasons if something should happen. Just an FYI for those that don't know this already.

copper98 · 09-02-2012, 02:09 PM

Amsoil 5w-30 XL
Change it 3000 miles
Mobil1 extended performance filter
Hydraulic jack (small piece of 2x4 wood to use on jack pad so not to.damage undercarriage)
Filter pliers to remove old filter
8 quart capacity

Any questions pm me

NavyDood · 09-02-2012, 05:01 PM

Since you have the V6, don't waste your money on a boutique true synthetic oil (group IV or group V) on the V6 because of the much shorter OCI's. You will waste your money by not fully utilizing the oils true capabilities. Off the shelf group III synthetics at WalMart I.E. Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, or even Pennzwater Ultra will be all you ever need to run as they are much better oils than the Semi-Synthetic Dexos blend that the dealers sell.

ROADWAR · 09-03-2012, 06:57 PM

Soon: Race Ramps, Wix filter, Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30

locoycabron · 09-03-2012, 11:31 PM

8 quarts 10w-30 Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Mobil extended performance Oil Filter, 2 rhinno ramps from autozone i agree driving up is easier than jacking up the car!

edgehead2000 · 09-05-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locoycabron

8 quarts 10w-30 Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Mobil extended performance Oil Filter, 2 rhinno ramps from autozone i agree driving up is easier than jacking up the car!

I used my old rhino ramps briefly to install my skip shift eliminator, but I didn't think the car was level enough to do oil changes. Have you had any issues so far, or concerns not getting the pan completely empty?

08-24-2012, 04:17 PM	#1
Bradrulz Drives: 2011 Camaro 1LT IOM Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Green Valley, AZ Posts: 825 View My Garage	Changing oil yourself - what is everyone using? I am thinking of starting to do my own oil changes as it is a fraction of the cost and you don't have to worry about someone not respecting your car. Wondering what supplies/tools everyone is using for a 1LT V6? Tire ramps? Just a floor jack? Oil catch? What oil filter brand? What oil brand? I am thinking of using Amsoil XL, but still do the changes every 4,000 to 5,000 miles. Thanks for any advice.

09-02-2012, 02:09 PM	#6
copper98 Camaro 5 Muscle Drives: 2012 CAMARO 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Miami Posts: 1,152 View My Garage	Amsoil 5w-30 XL Change it 3000 miles Mobil1 extended performance filter Hydraulic jack (small piece of 2x4 wood to use on jack pad so not to.damage undercarriage) Filter pliers to remove old filter 8 quart capacity Any questions pm me __________________ Mods: Air Raid C.A.I., Custom Ported/Polished Throttle Body, Kooks 1 7/8 Headers, Dyno Tuned , LPE 3.91 Gears, BMR Differential Bushings, R/X Oil Catch Can, X-Pipe, Borla Exhaust, MGW Shifter, Hawk-HPS, SS brake lines, BMR front & rear sway bars, BMR rear sway bar end links, Pedders front radius rod bushings, Spohn front sway bar end links, BMR rack/pinion bushing, BMR Coils 1" drop, BMR Trailing Arm, BMR Toe Rods, Pedders Sub-Frame bushings, BMR Sub-frame Connectors, BMR Driveshaft Tunnel Braces, GM Strut tower brace, custom painted bowties

09-02-2012, 05:01 PM	#7
NavyDood Retired Navy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NW of DFW Posts: 915	Since you have the V6, don't waste your money on a boutique true synthetic oil (group IV or group V) on the V6 because of the much shorter OCI's. You will waste your money by not fully utilizing the oils true capabilities. Off the shelf group III synthetics at WalMart I.E. Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, or even Pennzwater Ultra will be all you ever need to run as they are much better oils than the Semi-Synthetic Dexos blend that the dealers sell. Last edited by NavyDood; 09-02-2012 at 10:00 PM. Reason: Typo

09-03-2012, 06:57 PM	#8
ROADWAR Dead Man Riding Drives: 2012 1LT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central NC Posts: 92	Soon: Race Ramps, Wix filter, Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 __________________ 2012 1LT Silver Ice Metallic RX Catch can/Breather GM Shock Tower Brace Front Bowtie delete Former Camaros: 1982 Z28 4 speed manual 1985 Z28 TPI automatic 1995 Z28 6 speed manual

08-30-2012, 10:40 PM	#3
ICTsccaCamaro Account Suspended Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 1,585	One of my lifts at work and Mobil 1 sorry I had too

09-01-2012, 02:39 PM	#4
BowlingSS Camaro Owner Since 1987 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS L99 RJT Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 2,185	I use ramps. Got mine at Wally World. It is real easy to just drive up. Block the rear wheels. I have been using Castrio Edge with a K&N filter. Next oil change I will be going to Royal Purple with a K&N filter. Just pick up a drain pan from any auto parts. If you use a K&N filter they have a 1" nut on the bottom. I think you will also need a 15mm on the drain plug. I have a Gold drain plug and it uses a 13mm. Good luck. I have been doing my own oil changes for 30 years. I heard Amsoil is great oil. When you do it yourself you know it was done right. Bill

09-02-2012, 11:18 AM	#5
NFERNOSS Drives: Inferno Orange 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Prairieville, LA Posts: 48	just a note. Make sure the oil being used meets the Dexos 1 standard for the MY2011 and above. Castrol Edge meets it, as does the regular RP, have not found any hard data showing that the RP HPS meets this requirement. Should be a green Dexos symbol on the bottle indicating such. The Dexos 1 standard for the MY2011 and above was put into effect for improved performance and due to the timing chain issues in the V6 engines due to the longevity of the oil monitor system in the MY2010's that were going way beyond normal oil change intervals. This time span has since been resolved with an update in the 10's, but better safe than sorry for warranty reasons if something should happen. Just an FYI for those that don't know this already.

09-03-2012, 11:31 PM	#9
locoycabron Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 50	8 quarts 10w-30 Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Mobil extended performance Oil Filter, 2 rhinno ramps from autozone i agree driving up is easier than jacking up the car!