How do you change your oil?

[mikec35]

My Mercedes cost $180 for just an oil and filter change, every 10,000 miles with full synthetic oil. Mercedes uses a vacuum and ***** it out through the dipstick tube. The oil filter is on top of the engine. I bought a vacuum pump and I change it myself, usually $50 for Mobil 1 0w40 - 2 Gallons at Walmart plus $15 for the filter. The oil filter is on top of the engine. I'm now thinking I might start vacuuming out the oil in my other vehicles- if it's good enough for Mercedes then maybe it's good enough for other engines??

Anyone else vacuum their oil? I suppose if you are under the car changing the filter then it's fairly easy to pull the plug but the vacuum part is super easy and done while standing up.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

If there's a plug on the bottom of the pan, I'm really surprised that Mercedes vacuums it from the top. That's always been controversial method it seems. Maybe their reasoning is that when you bring the vehicle in the oil is already thoroughly warmed so any particles or by-products will be in full suspension.

Me personally, I'm old school and preferred to drain it from the bottom just knowing that during the life of the engine sludge can also accumulate at the bottom of the pan.

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[ard]

plug, drain. I like getting under the cars once in a while...snoop around, look for issues.

 

[douglawrence42]

Really common approach, very easy, totally ok. I’d argue that whatever diagnostics you loose by not seeing it drain can be done better by looking at the filter. I’ve never been willing to pay for the collection system, but I don’t consider this a shortcut, it is a serious method used by good shops.



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[vavet]

I raise the cars on my lift and pull the plug. I can see the value in this method. I guess it’s better in this way: you never have to worry about the lube monkey stripping out the threads in your oil pan.

 

[tonyciambrone]

15mm wrench....

Pretty sure the vacuum the oil out deal is a way to get customers to bring the car to the dealership. Mercedes and German cars in general have always been heavy on special tools

 

[mike93lx]

I use the drain plug. Even with a topside filter.

Vaccuuming oil is a way to save labor and reduce the risk associated with putting a car on a lift, not because it is better. It has a place in boats where a drain plug isn't accessible, but otherwise, let gravity do the work

 

[Jazz1]

plug, drain. I like getting under the cars once in a while...snoop around, look for issues.

This is great advice but so many folks never see the underside of vehicle until the differential runs dry and goes pop!
I considered putting spigot on oil pan. I put one on 700R4 transmission pan in my hotrod as not having a plug of any sort is messy

 

[rmack898]

I average 3-4 oil changes a day on Yamaha outboards and I use a vacuum tank to **** the oil pan.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I suspect a good engine will last 250 thou mi using the drain method and 400 thou km with the vacuum system.

 

[aussiek2000]

how does the vacuum system get all the oil out? do you run a hose inside the dipstick tube to the bottom of the pan?

 

[rmack898]

do you run a hose inside the dipstick tube to the bottom of the pan?

Thats the way we do it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

how does the vacuum system get all the oil out? do you run a hose inside the dipstick tube to the bottom of the pan?

Yes!

Here is the HF version. https://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-4-quarter-gallon-oil-extractor-46149.html

I use the drain plug, but I could see how this would come in handy for some applications like a boat where you can’t get a pan in the bilge.

I know some marinas remove the oil by unscrewing the oil pressure sending unit and screwing a hose into the oil pressure port. Then they idle the engine until the oil stops coming out.

 

[asallwey]

Oil changes are becoming a thing of the past. Many modern cars sit pretty low and need a low profile jack to get under. Then when you do get under, there can be a plastic air flow deflection panel that is held on with screws into the plastic. Filter location can be a challenge to not cause a mess also. Yes, I still change my own oil, but on a lift. Younger folks have a low interest in doing it. We are just a dying breed. Sign ... .

 

[rmack898]

I know some marinas remove the oil by unscrewing the oil pressure sending unit and screwing a hose into the oil pressure port. Then they idle the engine until the oil stops coming out.

Chris you should name them so folks know where NOT to go to get their boat serviced. Thats just bad.

 

[frank001]

I suspect a good engine will last 250 thou mi using the drain method and 400 thou km with the vacuum system.

^^^^^+1^^^^^

 

[2level]

I always used the drain plug, except on boats with inboard engines.

 

[mishkaya]

I have to say that I love the no mess aspect of the vacuum system. Since I do like to take a look at the underbelly of the engine every now and again, I alternate between the two methods; works well for me.

 

[rmanrman]

I’ve been vacuum sucking my hondas vehicles for the past 12 years. My crv has 187000 and my van had 155000 never an internal engine problem. Always had the engine at full temperature and always used 100 percent synthetic oil. Was lucky the filters were very accessible
Now my Toyota Highlander with a crazy stupid cartridge filter with two o rings and special filter housing wrench *****. Last Toyota back to Honda

 

[frank001]

I usually use the drain plug, but I have done it both ways. I have a 12v oil pump that I purchased on ebay for a few dollars that does a quick job. The main reason is that a lot of cars, like my Mercedes, have a large shield under the engine with numerous small screws holding it to the frame that has to be removed to get at the oil drain plug. Other than that it's like changing the oil on any other car. The top side oil filter is nice.

The Sprinter van is high enough that I can easily change the oil without even lifting it, so it always gets oil changed by the drain plug. It also has a top side oil filter.

 

[Bogie1632]

Personally, as many others do, drain plug for me.

At least while under the vehicle I can lube, inspect, etc. Hopefully head off any potential issues I may find. Plenty under a vehicle that doesn't need to be overlooked.

Vacuuming is fine too and I've had some engines in fleets I've worked on that it was worthwhile/successful on and one that it needed to be done that way or you'd make a hell of a mess draining. That equipment also had a Merc in it (turbo diesel 5 cylinder) tucked in a very tight engine bay. I've also had some engines where the oil dipstick wasn't above to the sump so that oil had to go out the plug since there was no way to tell the suction tube made it to the bottom of the sump.

Just wondering... By chance have you ever pulled your plug after vacuuming to see if you got everything out? What pump setup are you using?

V/R
Bogie

 

[Jeepster04]

Depends on how the dip stick is designed and if you can get a hose to the bottom of the pan...

Personally I see no use. Like others, its a good time to check eveything else out. Just other day I noticed a CV boot looked like it had just torn. 30min later I had a new boot on (I keep them on hand) which cost me $10 instead or whatever a rebuilt cv shaft costs...

 

[dirtyjerzy]

I suspect a good engine will last 250 thou mi using the drain method and 400 thou km with the vacuum system.

^^^^^^^^^^^Yeah! What He Said!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[cadunkle]

For what that car cost it should have a proper drain. Very poor design. It's best to drain all oil and contaminants, and be able to inspect for signs of abnormal wear.Personally I'd sell it and get a better vehicle with proper design, or at least pull the pan and weld in a bung for a drain plug if you're particularly attached to it.

Regarding vacuuming out oil, it's a good option when no other option exists. I vacuum the oil from my boat, but that is through a 90* fitting and hose off the bottom of the oil pan which just about rests on the hull. In most boats there is no access so vacuuming through the dipstick or preferably through a drain hose from the drain plug fitting, is the only option. If my boat did not have a drain hose off the pan I would add one.

I do not vacuum oil from any of my other vehicles. I run them to temperature and drain from the drain plugs. It's not particularly difficult or messy. If you want to make a a little quicker and easier look up Fumoto drain valves, it's a compact valve that replaces your drain plug to make oil changes a little quicker.

 

[CJseven]

I have always used the drain plug method , but have been looking at the extractors lately, even the 2 in 1 under lift drains/ extractors.

 

[Johnny Generic]

Who takes their car to the stealership to change oil????????????????

 

[23ford]

Take my mobile 1 oil and NAPA gold oil filter to the tire shp and they change it and check fluids for $20.

 

[DGersic]

Jack and support on stands.
Drop pan under vehicle.
Open Fumoto drain valve.
Wait
Close drain valve.
Replace filter.
Refill.

On my Dakota, “wait” is replaced by greasing the U joints and ball joints.

On SWMBO’s Camry, there’s the entertainment of getting that d*mned cartridge filter cover thing off. I have the special cup wrench for it. Last time, it took the ears off the cover instead of removing the cover, at which point you’re kinda screwed. Lots of swearing later, the cover was off. This must be a common enough problem, the dealer parts guy says he keeps these in stock, they sell lots of them. Stupid design.




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[Jinks]

Open Fumoto drain valve.

Finally! The right way!

 

[mikec35]

I suspect a good engine will last 250 thou mi using the drain method and 400 thou km with the vacuum system.

Ha... had to look up the conversion..

 

[k-os]

Open Fumoto drain valve.

I love my valves. Put them on mine and the girlfriend's car and got my dad one for his truck.

I usually drive up onto ramps in the driveway and then put jackstands under the frame and a large piece of cardboard under the engine before draining.

I got the valves with a ****** on them and just use silicone tubing to direct it right into my drain pan.

 

[346ci]

Part of a service to me would be looking underneath/tires in the air to check the other systems.I could understand marina type shops using the vac method.

 

[mikec35]

Yes!

Here is the HF version. https://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-4-quarter-gallon-oil-extractor-46149.html

That's the one I have. I had a manual one that you had to pump but it didn't hold up well.

 

[BarryWells]

My guys do it. Generally on a Saturday since they only work 1/2 day on Sat. Presure clean under the truck and hood, Do the oil, adjust the EM brake(if needed) grease it up, then wash it/shopvac/Armorall etc. A few beers along the way and they're outa there at noon~ish. Battery terminals, ,washer fluid and the whole bit. Good guys and like the relax time for 1/2 day. Cucaracha noise blaring WFO ;-)

 

[Angelfire]

Finally! The right way!

Yep, Fumoto valve for the win! All of my vehicles have them and they’ve worked great.
Cheers

 

[johninct]

Get the car warm driving to find a place then pop the plug. Next roll the car backward so you don't get oil on your cloths while you are under there. Be neat!! Heave filter and empty oil container into the bushes. Install filter and oil then drive off....Just kidding but some strangers did that at our place.

 

[exmaxima1]

My Mercedes cost $180 for just an oil and filter change, every 10,000 miles with full synthetic oil. Mercedes uses a vacuum and ***** it out through the dipstick tube......

I’m surprised your MB has a dipstick. My BMW has an electronic “dipstick” instead of a traditional tube & stick, and I assumed that was how all the newer German cars were doing it. So for me I have no choice but to drain from the pan on that vehicle.

My son, on the other hand, uses the dipstick vac ever since the Jiffy Lube guys stripped his oil pan drain, and new pans are apparently expensive and out of stock everywhere.

 

[mudflap]

Who takes their car to the stealership to change oil????????????????

I have always taken our new vehicles that are still under warranty back to the dealer for all sch maint. That way if theres a problem there are no questions. Then changed the oil myself from that point on. The wifes new Grand Cherokee has 80,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty..So the Jeep dealer will see me alot. And to be honest..with the skid plates and all that ****. And the price of the full synthetic oil that it calls for.. and i get to visit with Lindsey..my cute service writer girl, and they have them free starbucks coffee things..... For $79.00 They can have at it...

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Get the car warm driving to find a place then pop the plug. Next roll the car backward so you don't get oil on your cloths while you are under there. Be neat!! Heave filter and empty oil container into the bushes. Install filter and oil then drive off....Just kidding but some strangers did that at our place.

You have to find a storm drain to park over so you don’t leave a mess on the road

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I’ve never tried the vacuum method but I see how it could be useful. On bobcat skid loafers (kubota engine) they are so slow to drain we usually stick a blowgun down the dipstick tube to help push it out the drain hole. It would be nice to hook up a vacuum and walk away.