Want To Learn How To Change Oil...Pls Help

[paramaria]

After many years of wishing, I’m finally ready to learn how to do the basic maintenance myself. I have an 04 vue, 4 cyl, manual/100K miles. I’d like to know:

1. how I can learn to change the oil and other fluids? Any books or resources you’d recommend?
2. what basic equipment should I buy? Oil pan, etc.?
3. at 100,000 miles, i was told i should buy the "fluid replacement service", which runs several hundred dollars to replace all fluids. What services should I do at this mileage?
4. without car experience, but mechanically inclined, what can I do myself if I’m not super strong but fit?

Thank you

[far2grumpy]

I've attached a few files to give you an idea of when and how to service your Vue.

Changing oil (and oil filter, air filter) is not complicated but you'll need an assortment of tools and other equipment to make sure you collect all the old oil for recycling.

I suggest you look at these files ... in any order ... and please come back to the forum with questions.

Good luck!

[guitar_stitch]

Whooo... this is a huge topic.

Changing the oil is really as simple as the name.

1) Drain old oil.
2) Remove old filter
3) Insert new filter
4) fill with new oil

To learn about other maintenance items, I would consider investing in a Haynes or Chilton repair manual and reading it. You can also refer to this site frequently to learn about certain tricks and caveats that could save you time.

If you're looking for information on a particular procedure, try searching the forums for that procedure. If your question isn't answered, feel free to post on that topic!

Congratulations on wanting to learn how to do your own service. There's nothing more rewarding than doing a repair and knowing you just saved hundreds or thousands of dollars.

[Growser]

Welcome to the SaturnFans Forum. The advice here is excellent - just start reading and browsing. There is a how-to library if you do a search at the bottom right of the page under Forum Jump which provides a great resource.

[runerx]

Welcome
First off look at your owners manual. It's probably the most over looked information resource.
Oil changes are fairly simple. You will need:
Oil-drain pan,
15 mm wrench (IIRC),-for the drain plug
1-1/4 in. socket, 10 in. extension, and ratchet - for the Oil filter cap
Oil filter- (I use Fram-part no. CH 9018) Others here don't like them I've had no problems but there are many options.
Motor oil- I run 5-w30 (recomended in manual) if I use regular oil of 0-w30 if I use synthetic.
Gallon jug- for waste oil
Rags


Step one- warm up the car- take it around the block just to get all of the "gunk" and or metal bits stirred up. don't get it too hot (hot oil sucks) but definately run it for atleast a few minutes. Park it on a smooth level surface. You will need to get under the car and you don't wanna get squished. Setting the parking brake is a good idea just in case.

Step two- Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap (black cap on the top of the engine (look in the manual)

Step three get your 15 mm wrench, oil pan and a rag and get under the car from the front on the passenger side (under the headlight) you will see a "pan" towards the passenger side of the bottom of the engine. At the back is a bolt (15mm) Place the Drain pan under the oil pan and have most of the pan towards the back of the car, but leave the front edge under the oil drain hole to catch the drips. This will catch the oil when it shoots 6-8 in. out of the hole, at first. remove the drain plug "15mm bolt with the wrench. As you turn it oil may begin to drip, both the bolt and the oil can be HOT if the car was run too long so be careful.
I try to break the plug loose and then turn it out with my fingers. This way I can push the plug into the hole until I think its ready to come out and then pop it out quickly. This can keep you from getting hot oil on you and helps keep you from dropping the plug into the drain pan. (like I did last time).

Step four: Once the oil is draining, and you have checked to make sure that the oil is going into the pan, Stand up and place the plug and wrench on top of the valve cover. (The metal part with oil filler cap in it.) This will help you remember to put it back in and tighten it before you put new oil in.

Step five get the ratchet, 10 in. extension and the 1 1/4 socket and a rag. Towards the drivers side of the engine you wil see a black peice with a small half moon shaped crescent in it and below that a black cap with a "NUT" on top. The socket will fit down over this "nut and you can remoce the cap with the socket. Again I break the cap loose with the scoker and wratchet and spin it out with my fingers. Once it is ready to come out you will need to have the rag ready to catch the driping oil as tou remoce the cap and filter. tehy wil come out as one and WILL be dripping oil. Carefully remove the cap and filter. You will want to have something to sit the old filter on and allow as much of the oil to drain as possible. {if you cut the bottom out of a milk jug it works pretty well just leave a little of the sides to catch stuff.}
Remove the old filter from the cap (it snaps in) and set it aside where it can drain. (milk jug?)

Step six now we are ready to go back together. Snap the new filter into the cap just like the old one was. (some people recomend pouring a little new oil into the filter to help the engine get oil sooner on the first start) your call.

Step seven replace the oilfilter and cap and screw it back into the housingget it hand tight and then "snug" it using the ratchet. DON'T OVER TIGHTEN IT!!! you wnat it tight so it wont leak or vibrate loose BUT you don't want it too tight or you can crack the cap and you cant drive it till you get a new one.

Step Eight- Get the drain plug and ratchet off the top engine. Look to see that the oil has basicalls stopped dripping. (hopefully you don't find an oil slick) If so then crawl back under the car and put the drain plag back in once again you want it tight so it won't leak but you don't have to kill it.

Step nine once you have the drain plug back in you can put oil back into the engin through the oil fill at the top of the engine/valve cover. I believe the manual says 5 quarts. but mine usually needs about 4.5. I put 4.5 in and check the level with the dip stick. Yellow loop handle on the front of the engine (IIRC) Once the oil is in the "operating zone" replace the filler cap and start the car. Watch that the oil light doesn't stay on. Run for a minute and check for leaks. If there are no leaks allow teh car to sit and re-check the oil level and top off as necessary accoding to the dip stick.

If you didn't do do already remove the drain pan (be careful it may be full depending on the pan) and pour the used oil into a jug. You can take the jug to auto-zone or most other auto parts stores for recycling. DON'T allow the jug to sit. After a while the oil softent the plastic and it will leak and make a BIG mess. Speaking of messes, if you spill oil pour Kitty litter regular works best (or buy oil dry) on the spill and allow it to sit and soak up the oil. the shovel it off and wipe up any leftovers.

Test drive the car listening for any strange noises and watch for the oil light. if you get niether GOOD JOB other wise figure out what you didnt tighten and fix it ASAP!! If you spilled oil either when getting the filter out or putting oil in you may smell it burnig off. As long as its not a huge puddle or the result of a leak this wil usually go away after a few miles.

You will need to reset the oil life monitor. This is covered in the manual and involves pushing a button under the fuse box cover with the key turned on (but not running) or depressing the gas pedal- not sure which way yours works.

Anything I forgot???

Good Luck
Dave:hothead:

[1saxman]

This is a lotta crap. If the damn book says five quarts, you put in five quarts. You don't check the oil until after you start the engine and let the filter get full, while you also check for leaks at the drain plug and filter. Then you turn it off, wait two minutes and confirm that it's full. Because five quarts is also coming out, you're going to need more than a milk jug for the old oil. I recommend getting the oil drain pan that can be sealed. You just take it to the auto parts or recycle center and pour it in the tank. You'll need to have some old newspapers to put it on in the back of the VUE so you don't get anything on the floor. Unfold a large cardboard box and save it for the oil changes. Slide it under the car first so the drain pan can fit on it. The cardboard absorbs the stray drops of oil that you always spill, and it makes getting under the car very much more comfortable. Unless you're rather large, you should have no problem getting far enough under a VUE to do the oil change without raising the vehicle. Always have paper towels under there with you for cleanup after replacing the drain plug and filter.
Try to arrange your oil changes during the more pleasant months. I do mine in March, July and November. I have a garage but the cars stay outside and all my car work is done outside too. If your climate doesn't have moderate weather at the necessary times, you'll have to have an indoor space to work or rough it in the cold.

[runerx]

Yeah I did this kinda late and tried to edit, but was over 15min. and it wouldn't let me. SO if you'd like to sit and type this all out be my guest. And since we had freezing rain last night and I didn't feel like going out to get my manual I was working from memory. Now that being said if you take the time to look at the manual it says " All capacaties are APPROXIMATE. When adding, be sure to fill to the apropriate level of the dipstick, if applicable." 4.5, 4.7, but less than 5 puts mine towards the high end of the operating range. Thats where I set mine, if you don't like it, it's not your car. All I can say is WOW one jug or two, cardboard or no?? Are you serious?? IF you have constructive criticism I'm cool with that, I do make mistakes, and if you noticed I did ask if I missed anything. Other wise be careful when you hop off that horse of yours... that first step is a long one. I recently started to form an opinon about you which you just confirmed.
I also hope that you get the fact that out of respect for Charlie I'm not really saying what I otherwise would be.

Dave:hothead:

[paramaria]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond with excellent advice! I'm excited to get started. :)

God bless.

[neilpilot]

I'm using my Mityvac to change oil in all my cars, including the 2.4L VUE. In all my cars, I can change the oil and filter without getting under the car (though I still inspect under the VUE after each oil change).

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111409&highlight=oil+mityvac

Paid less than $40 on Ebay and have used the Mityvac for years, on 5 different cars. In all but 1 car, including the VUE 2.4L, vacuuming removed all the oil that could otherwise be drained thru the plug.