Self oil change questions

[jagan323]

Hi guys,

I'm reaching the point of my first oilchange for my car. I was thinking of saving some cash and just doing it myself. I've read 2 different threads on here on DIY oil changes. It seems simple enough, thanks for the writers who posted images and step by step.

however, since my car is just breaking in, I was wondering if Full Synthetic oil is worth it. One of my friends stated that it isn't worth the money, and that I should be at 80,000miles+ before i start using synthetic. What do you all think? Oh by the way, I'm driving a V6, not V8, if that makes any difference.

Also, for those of you who oil change themselves, how much money is it actually saving you? My friend says that I won't be saving much... but he's rich, so a couple of bucks is nothing to him. I on the other hand would save money if it's a low risk DIY.

Thanks

[dmiller66]

Synthetic is the only way to go. Period. You should also consider a synthetic filter.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by jagan323

Hi guys,

I'm reaching the point of my first oilchange for my car. I was thinking of saving some cash and just doing it myself. I've read 2 different threads on here on DIY oil changes. It seems simple enough, thanks for the writers who posted images and step by step.

however, since my car is just breaking in, I was wondering if Full Synthetic oil is worth it. One of my friends stated that it isn't worth the money, and that I should be at 80,000miles+ before i start using synthetic. What do you all think? Oh by the way, I'm driving a V6, not V8, if that makes any difference.

Also, for those of you who oil change themselves, how much money is it actually saving you? My friend says that I won't be saving much... but he's rich, so a couple of bucks is nothing to him. I on the other hand would save money if it's a low risk DIY.

Thanks

Instead of "dealer" put friends.

Back when synthetic first came out you had to wait until the car was broke in (about 1,000 miles not 80,000) before you could put it in but not anymore. Synthetic oil is fine in new cars, actually most new cars nowadays come with synthetic from the factory.

As for savings, it depends on the oil you will be using and the prices in your area. Most people have been reporting between $70-$90 US to get the oil changed at the dealer with Mobil 1. You can buy 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and an oil filter for less then $35 US so there is quite a bit of savings vs the dealer.

[jagan323]

thanks guys for that. I just needed some more feedback, because my friend can be stubborn lol. He also drives completely different level of car than me, BMW 135i, and I'm a Pony Car =o

[ls7camaro]

No, stay away from synthetic until 5,000 miles. I have valvoline VR1 racing oil in it until my engine hits 5,000 miles.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by jagan323

Hi guys,

I'm reaching the point of my first oilchange for my car. I was thinking of saving some cash and just doing it myself. I've read 2 different threads on here on DIY oil changes. It seems simple enough, thanks for the writers who posted images and step by step.

however, since my car is just breaking in, I was wondering if Full Synthetic oil is worth it. One of my friends stated that it isn't worth the money, and that I should be at 80,000miles+ before i start using synthetic. What do you all think? Oh by the way, I'm driving a V6, not V8, if that makes any difference.

Also, for those of you who oil change themselves, how much money is it actually saving you? My friend says that I won't be saving much... but he's rich, so a couple of bucks is nothing to him. I on the other hand would save money if it's a low risk DIY.

Thanks

I put (German) Castrol Syntec 0W-30 synthetic motor oil with a NAPA Gold oil filter at my 1st oil change.
I did it at 1500 km.

For me, the difference by bring it into my local Pontiac dealer is $19.99 Labour + $3 recycling fee + taxes = $25.98 Cdn.
(I bring my own synthetic motor oil & oil filter in with me.)

But my selling Cadillac dealer offered to change my oil with the Castrol SLX Professional 4718 5W-30 synthetic for $129.95 Cdn (on special right now).

(My G8 GT uses 8.8 US Quarts / 8.3L of motor oil.)

[jagan323]

Wait now im confused... DONT use Synthetic? And thanks Mike Jung, for the pricing on that. I needed to know the range I would have to spend. There IS another reason why I want to make my own oil changes though. I want to KNOW my car inside out. Meaning spending as much time with it as possible. =D Might be silly, but I think there could be many benefits in me learning to do this myself.

Thanks for the replies

[dmiller66]

Many cars come with synthetics from the factory. I have never seen a bottle of synthetic oil that says you must have XXXX miles on your engine before installing. If it were that big of a deal, wouldn't it say so on the bottle? Think of it this way. Every jet engine in the world is lubricated with synthetic oil. If it is good enough for a jet engine, it is good enough for your car.

[clg_98ta]

Originally Posted by ls7camaro

No, stay away from synthetic until 5,000 miles. I have valvoline VR1 racing oil in it until my engine hits 5,000 miles.

That's ridiculous... Camaros come with synthetic from the factory - check the oil filler cap

[jagan323]

I like your Jet Plane analogy. Thanks. I'll use Synthetic =D

[Michael_Js]

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

That's ridiculous... Camaros come with synthetic from the factory - check the oil filler cap

Not the V6s!! I believe that's what the OP has...

[jehartley]

Originally Posted by ls7camaro

No, stay away from synthetic until 5,000 miles.

What? It comes from the factory with synthetic in it. So, you are suggesting that you immediately dump the factory synthetic, put in conventional, and then at 5,000 miles put synthetic back in?

That's just stupid.

[jehartley]

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

Not the V6s!! I believe that's what the OP has...

Even still, there is absolutely NO reason to not put synthetic in the V6 immediately if you wish. It causes no damage at all. Anyone who says otherwise is poorly misinformed.

[jagan323]

Originally Posted by jehartley

Even still, there is absolutely NO reason to not put synthetic in the V6 immediately if you wish. It causes no damage at all. Anyone who says otherwise is poorly misinformed.

Thanks Jehartley for the confirmation. I guess since this thread is actually getting posts still, i would ask what I need to ask here instead of making a new thread.

So, when I'm actually doing my own oilchange, what EXACTLY do I need to replace? The Oil... is obvious.

But Filter? Plug? =O

Anyone know what I'm missing? Also, where could I get these things? Do I have to order them from somewhere in particular? I live in Canada... so lol... I've been realizing the states is a much more versatile place to buy things. YOU CAN GET ANYTHING THERE! =D