Oil Change

[HotSoutheastWind]

Firstly please pardon my ignorance!!!

Im NOT mechanically minded but am determined to learn how to service my Scirocco myself.

1.8I DX, 84.

Got my oil. Got my filter.

Never done an oil change before.

How do you go about it please, anything i should watch out for?

Does the filter have to be filled with oil?

Or is it really as easy as warm the oil through the car idling for a few minutes, stop the car, remove the drain plug and old filter, let the old oil drain away, renew filter, put drain plug back in and refill with oil?

Any special tools i need? Is it preferable to have the car jacked up or not?

Sorry for all the silly q's!!!!!

Cheers in advance.

[the edmundator]

If you've never done it before, get a Haynes and do what it tells you. It's advisable to replace the sump plug washer and possibly the plug itself. These are both a matter of pence from GSF.

[eefy]

How do mate, i was in the same position last year, its a doddle. I left my filter empty the only thing thats advised is to put some oil around the rubber seal on the filter to allow a better seal once its fitted, easiest way is to stand it on top of the one you removed, saves getting oil on your hands. Just fit it hand tight and your ready to go :) fortunatly my copper washer was in good order to just cleaned up and refitted it

Good luck

[HotSoutheastWind]

Thanks very much both for the replys. That sounds great eefy!!! Much appreciated on the advice - i shall let you know how it progresses!!!! This way ill be able to do it a couple of times a year and at least you know its done right!!! :)

[Nate]

when you take the sump plug out, wear a rubber glove and try not to drop it into the bowl that's catching the oil

once it has finished draining, i normally chuck a bit (1/2 pint or so) of clean oil in to help wash the last of the crud our of the sump

[Risocco]

try not to drop it into the bowl that's catching the oil

What? And miss out on all the fun of "where-the-bleddin-hell-are-you-ya-miserable-lump-of-German-tat!" Add to picking dried oil out of ones finger nails for weeks on end. You are no fun dude

Alex

[Junglist]

What's the general consensus on whether to do your own oil change? It seems a false economy to me. Don't you need to spend around £20 on the stuff to do the job? That only saves you a fiver compared to kwik fit or ats doing it for you. Or is oil a lot cheaper than i think? I wouldn't want any cheap crap going in my engine.

[Funky Diver]

I personally like to know exactly what's going into my car, and more importantly... the state of the stuff coming out.

Plus it cost me more than £20 to do an oil change, as I tend to do a service when it's due anyways, so filters, good going over. It's a bit of metal-meets-man bonding time!

[eefy]

All thats involed in an oil change is, undo the sump bolt (replace the washer if needed 10p should do it) undo and change the filter £5, then top up with oil, £30 (i used magnitex) job done, takes no time at all as it drains as you change the spark plugs and air filter, total time say about 30mins and say £50 in bits (depending on oil and filter choice) most places charge over £100 to do that and will use an generic oil that have in stock and cheap spark plugs etc no special tools etc maybe apart from a spark plug socket :)

[HotSoutheastWind]

Cheers guys.

Ive just bought Castrol Magnatec (Halfords doing it at £22 just now for 4 litres) and a £6 filter - under £30 on bits. I will get a sump plug and washer however.

Id just rather i was doing it than the KwikFit boys - ill take my time and take the utmost care - doesent matter to me how long it takes just so long as its done right if you know what i mean!!

[GTXTRA]

sounds obvious but do it on a flat surface and don't overfill! narf narf.

get a decent filter wrench too - well worth it.

[HotSoutheastWind]

Cheers mate :)

Will invest in a decent wrench - good call.

[Nate]

What's the general consensus on whether to do your own oil change? It seems a false economy to me. Don't you need to spend around £20 on the stuff to do the job? That only saves you a fiver compared to kwik fit or ats doing it for you. Or is oil a lot cheaper than i think? I wouldn't want any cheap crap going in my engine.

that's why it's usually not worth getting a fast fit centre to do your oil change. it won't be a high quality oil, it'll be cheapo fleet grade stuff

[Junglist]

Ats use castrol gtx magnatec and charge 30 quid. I think that's where i'll go this time. Last time i went to kwik fit and they used mobil one and charged me 25 but i can get a discount at ats so it'll work out about the same.

[The Autoad]

What's the general consensus on whether to do your own oil change? It seems a false economy to me. Don't you need to spend around £20 on the stuff to do the job? That only saves you a fiver compared to kwik fit or ats doing it for you. Or is oil a lot cheaper than i think? I wouldn't want any cheap crap going in my engine.

that's why it's usually not worth getting a fast fit centre to do your oil change. it won't be a high quality oil, it'll be cheapo fleet grade stuff

Ats use castrol gtx magnatec and charge 30 quid. I think that's where i'll go this time. Last time i went to kwik fit and they used mobil one and charged me 25 but i can get a discount at ats so it'll work out about the same.

Then why on earth did you ask the question above if you have already appeared to have made your mind up!