I did this and didnt realize it till i put 2 quarts in and then im like damnit. $8 spilled on the ground 
changing oil in driveway
Well I always change my own oil, and I don’t even have a driveway. I do it on the street (actually it's more like a hill lol). anyway, I just jack up the car so I can work under it, and make sure to support the car with a jack stand or at least some blocks of wood ( 4 x 4's if you have them) for safety. And of course block up the wheels. When you get the car up make sure you are ready to catch all of the old oil that'll come out of the motor. If you don’t have one of those oil catcher pans then make sure you have enough bottles/jugs or whatever you are going to use. Make sure to properly dispose of the oil too afterwards 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
If you've never changed oil in your car, get a friend who's done it just to watch you. It's not hard.
1) What you need to buy: Good jack stands, Filter wrench, drain plug wrench or socket, funnel, and drain pan (I would get a drain pan that has a built in reservoir so you can store the old oil in order to take it to an auto parts store to dump it).
2) Warm up the car to help the oil flow but don't get it too warm.
3) Jack up the front of the car and put it on jackstands. Make sure it's steady!
4) Put the drain pan under the drain plug. Unscrew the drain plug on the bottom drivers side of the oil pan.
5) Let the oil drain for at least 5 minutes.
6) Use your filter wrench and unscrew the oil filter. Be careful, oil will spill around the filter.
7) Put the drain plug back in and tighten it down. I don't remember the torque specs, but tighten it good. You may want to use a new drain plug gasket but I normally don't use a new one, I just reuse the old one.
8) Put some new oil in the new oil filter. Also use some new oil to put a light coat of oil on the rubber gasket on the new oil filter. Clean off the oil filter seat area on the engine. Screw the filter onto the engine and after the rubber gasket hits, turn it another 3/4 to 1 turn. You may have to use the oil filter wrench for the last 1/4 turn.
9) Put 6 quarts of a good motor oil that meets all the requirements listed in the car manual. (use a funnel to keep from spilling it)
10) Properly dispose of the old oil and filter, most cities will fine you if you put it in the trash.
11) Start the car, you should have good oil pressure in less than 5 seconds, then shut it off and check for leaks around the drain plug and filter.
Good luck, it's easy, but if you do it wrong you can completely ruin a VERY EXPENSIVE engine!!!!!
1) What you need to buy: Good jack stands, Filter wrench, drain plug wrench or socket, funnel, and drain pan (I would get a drain pan that has a built in reservoir so you can store the old oil in order to take it to an auto parts store to dump it).
2) Warm up the car to help the oil flow but don't get it too warm.
3) Jack up the front of the car and put it on jackstands. Make sure it's steady!
4) Put the drain pan under the drain plug. Unscrew the drain plug on the bottom drivers side of the oil pan.
5) Let the oil drain for at least 5 minutes.
6) Use your filter wrench and unscrew the oil filter. Be careful, oil will spill around the filter.
7) Put the drain plug back in and tighten it down. I don't remember the torque specs, but tighten it good. You may want to use a new drain plug gasket but I normally don't use a new one, I just reuse the old one.
8) Put some new oil in the new oil filter. Also use some new oil to put a light coat of oil on the rubber gasket on the new oil filter. Clean off the oil filter seat area on the engine. Screw the filter onto the engine and after the rubber gasket hits, turn it another 3/4 to 1 turn. You may have to use the oil filter wrench for the last 1/4 turn.
9) Put 6 quarts of a good motor oil that meets all the requirements listed in the car manual. (use a funnel to keep from spilling it)
10) Properly dispose of the old oil and filter, most cities will fine you if you put it in the trash.
11) Start the car, you should have good oil pressure in less than 5 seconds, then shut it off and check for leaks around the drain plug and filter.
Good luck, it's easy, but if you do it wrong you can completely ruin a VERY EXPENSIVE engine!!!!!
Listen up. To hell with jacking the car up just to change the oil.
Get you some board 8" or wider and maybe 3/4" thick. Cut one piece about 4 foot long, then a 3 ft, 2ft, 1ft. You can simply tape the together or nail them or whatever you want, or you really dont even need to fasten them together. Lay the long one on the bottom and then start laying the next shorter one on top and so on. What you will have is a super low profile set of ramps that any car can clear, easier to ride up on than a normal ramp, and raise the car by 3" if you use four 3/4 pieces which is plenty to reach under the car to get the filter off and drain plug.
Get you some board 8" or wider and maybe 3/4" thick. Cut one piece about 4 foot long, then a 3 ft, 2ft, 1ft. You can simply tape the together or nail them or whatever you want, or you really dont even need to fasten them together. Lay the long one on the bottom and then start laying the next shorter one on top and so on. What you will have is a super low profile set of ramps that any car can clear, easier to ride up on than a normal ramp, and raise the car by 3" if you use four 3/4 pieces which is plenty to reach under the car to get the filter off and drain plug.
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: rosemount,mn/windsor locks,ct
if you want to so that the oil doesnt seep around the oil filter all you have to do is use a punch and tap a small hole in the bottom of the filter in the middle and then just loosen the filter alittle ways until you get a steady flow of oil then let the filter drain then remove the filter completely and install the new one but make sure you lubricate the new filters seal and clean the mating surface
Trending Topics
if yer filter is on too tight to get off, jab a screwdriver thru it and pry it loose. oldest trick in the book 
i dont think our oil plugs have gaskets on them
i like to completly fill up my new oil filter before i put it on the car, makes for a more accurate reading when re-filling. the oil around the gasket, as stated earlier, makes it easier to remove the next fill.
you need to buy 6 quarts, but you will probably only use 5.5 to fill her up. and since our cars are notorious for eating oil, might want to buy some more and keep it full between changes.
an empty quart of oil makes a great funnel if you cut the bottom off and leave the neck in the inlet on the motor
make sure you dont change the oil in high winds either you will be WEARING IT. on a similar note, it comes out of the hole a good 8-10 inches when you first pull the plug, so place your drain pan accordingly
i dont think our oil plugs have gaskets on them
i like to completly fill up my new oil filter before i put it on the car, makes for a more accurate reading when re-filling. the oil around the gasket, as stated earlier, makes it easier to remove the next fill.
you need to buy 6 quarts, but you will probably only use 5.5 to fill her up. and since our cars are notorious for eating oil, might want to buy some more and keep it full between changes.
an empty quart of oil makes a great funnel if you cut the bottom off and leave the neck in the inlet on the motor
make sure you dont change the oil in high winds either you will be WEARING IT. on a similar note, it comes out of the hole a good 8-10 inches when you first pull the plug, so place your drain pan accordingly
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
I recommend replacing the drain bolt with a drain valve at the next oil change so that all future oil changes can be done a little easier. I have these on all my cars. For my 2002 Trans Am I have a F107 drain valve. Fumoto makes them and I bought mine through Summit Racing, part number FUM-F107. Other places sell them too. See if any of the LS1Tech sponsors sell them...!
Originally Posted by Patman
Do yourself a huge favor and go buy some Rhino ramps for $20.
i used royal purple
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park, IL
ANother proud owner of Rhino ramps...if your car is lowered, just throw some wood in front of the ramps to give a lil lift so you don't rip off your bumper going up the ramps. i learned this the hard way with my old civic!
Pull it up on the damn curb and unless your over 215 lbs, you can fit under sideway between the tires and the front facsia thinger. Camaro made is so easy, plug is located here | | <---filter is here! Their so close it's like changing a babies diaper.
Used 5w30 Mobil1 then it burned too much so now going to 10w30 mobil1 =p
Used 5w30 Mobil1 then it burned too much so now going to 10w30 mobil1 =p
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 0
From: Ga
I use Mobil 1 0W-40. Oil pressure is so much better. I usually pour a fresh quart straight through to flush out all dirt and debris. When I change the oil on my lawnmower I pour fresh oil through till clear clean oil comes out. It don't take much.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by ZR2877
I use Mobil 1 0W-40. Oil pressure is so much better. I usually pour a fresh quart straight through to flush out all dirt and debris. When I change the oil on my lawnmower I pour fresh oil through till clear clean oil comes out. It don't take much.
So instead of jacking up the rear, I'd rather pour through some fresh oil to help push out some of the old oil.
Originally Posted by Patman
Do yourself a huge favor and go buy some Rhino ramps for $20.
I changed my oil last night (mobil 1 10w-30)by driving up on some stacked 2X6s raising the front end 4-5" it worked but id rather have real ramps.
