Oil Change (with pics)

[burghbeagle]

I hit the 1500 mile mark and did my first oil change on the Mirage. Wasn't too bad, minimal expletive spewing and wishing bad things on the engineers. I took some pics so hopefully they help.

You will need three quarts of 0w-20 synthetic oil and a new filter.

I am not using premium oil or a premium filter because I am going to change it again at 6000 miles. Next change will be a NAPA Gold filter and either Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Platinum synthetic oil (still deciding on that one)

I used ramps to put my car up, these gray ramps are not low profile but worked fine.


DISCLAIMER/COMMON SENSE: Do NOT get under your vehicle only supported by a floor jack! Use jack stands or ramps. A jack is designed to lift, it is not designed to hold. Even a ~2000 pound Mirage can kill you if it falls on you!

Place a drain pan on the floor. Using a 17mm wrench, loosen the drain plug. I was able to get this off with no issues.

This was taken in selfie mode facing the front of the car (please excuse my ugly mug in the shot...)


This was from underneath.


Let the oil drain as completely as possible. Grab a beer, smoke a cigarette, eat something, etc. The more oil out, the less crap left over.

Replace the crush washer and tighten the drain plug. Thread it in by hand and then tighten it snug but don't overtighten it.

Now the fun part, changing the filter. I swear Godzilla himself put the filter on. This is where the expletives and wishing bad things on the engineers came into play.

View from underneath.



View from above.


In order to gain access from below, I removed the plastic piece that is behind the bumper. I used a thin flat blade screwdriver and removed the ten fasteners, it came off with ease. The 90 seconds it took to remove this is worth it for the access you gain.

View without the plastic piece in place.


Using a filter wrench, slowly remove the oil filter. It will drain down the silver piece and neatly into the drain pan.

Although you can't see, wipe off around where the filter seals and make sure the old gasket is not attached.

Using new oil, moisten the seal of the new filter and screw it onto the engine. HAND TIGHTEN ONLY, you don't need to use a wrench to put it on. This will save swearing when you change the oil again.

If you took the extra step, replace the plastic piece. The fasteners just press in without tools.

Add three quarts of 0w-20 synthetic oil.

Start the car and check for leaks.

Take it for a test drive and enjoy your Mirage with fresh clean oil and a fresh oil filter. After your test drive, check the dipstick and add if necessary (I didn't need to.) Your Mirage will love you and keep you happy for many more miles!

[cinder]

Well done instructive thread . Thanks

[cyclopathic]

Any pictures of used oil?

[laceygirl]

Thank you so much... I will be doing a change every 7500 kilometres....

[burghbeagle]

Any pictures of used oil?

Unfortunately no. It was dark but I didn't notice any metal chunks in it.

[inuvik]

Unfortunately no. It was dark but I didn't notice any metal chunks in it.

Let's hope not!

[cyclopathic]

Unfortunately no. It was dark but I didn't notice any metal chunks in it.

I usually just change filter after 1st 1000mi and add oil, but filter on bitsy is soo big and it is summer.. no worries about clogging.

It is good news that there is no metal, we will be getting a free dealer change at 7.5k

[burghbeagle]

I usually just change filter after 1st 1000mi and add oil, but filter on bitsy is soo big and it is summer.. no worries about clogging.

It is good news that there is no metal, we will be getting a free dealer change at 7.5k

I may be old school, but my view is that oil and filters are cheap, engines are not. There's no harm in changing the oil too often. I plan on changing mine every 6000 miles because 80% of my driving is on hilly back roads and through traffic. I plan on keeping this car until it either dies or gets to the point it's not economically feasible to repair. Keeping the engine clean is easier and less expensive than cleaning and/or repairing it due to lack of maintenance. I will be using my free oil change at the 6000 mile mark and then changing it myself every 6000 miles. I think with my driving it will be a good interval, but to each their own with how they maintain their own vehicles.

[cyclopathic]

My meche thinks that 500mi are not enough to degrade oil, but wear products can clog filter and cause bypass valve to open, especially in cold weather. So replacing oil filter and topping off is way to go. But since it is summer, filter is big, maybe it isn't really necessary?

I will be putting in magnetic plug in transmission.

[Salanguit]

Hi, Hope I am on the right thread, does anyone here uses castrol fully synthetic? Im about to have my second periodic maintenance? Any help? Thanks