Changed my Own Oil on 2000 Intrigue

[dtownfb]

Performed my first oil change on my 2000 Intrigue (3.5). Pretty uneventful with all the information the board (minus the full oil filter canister falling out of my hand).

Drain Plug - Fram Sure Drain system (SD-4). I'll let you know how that works. If it weren't for the black plastic shield along the front, you could probably drain the oil without lifting the vehicle.

Filter wrench - Rite Fit A258 - 74 mm/15 flutes (purchased at Pep Boys). Perfect fit for the canister. Almost too perfect as I needed a screwdriver to pry it off the canister. AmPro 74/76 mm/15 flutes or Oil wrench "A" (forget the brand name but sold at AutoZone) will work as well as long as the canister was not overtightened like mine was.

Oil filter - Purolator 8765. Fram sells this filter for $9 while everyone else is $5 or less (purolator, AC Delco).

Engine Oil - I used Walmart oil for High Mileage vehicle hoping the thicker oil will help with the "burning". Also did the engine flush prior to changing. Figured no harm and it only cost $3.50 for the bottle.

Get a big drain pan. Lots of oil.

[crashnburn]

You do not need to lift the car to drain it. You just need a swallow drain pan. I have been doing mine for 5 year with jacking it up. I want to get a fumoto drain valve for my wifes car, but I am not sure how much longer we are going to have it. The frames are not as good. The only quick drain oil plug that does not void your warranty on new cars & trucks is the fumoto valve. That should tell you something. I think Toyota puts them in at the factory too. They are are about $25, but worth it. I have one on my 2006 chevy diesel. Sorry to go on & on, but I know of people that had the frame one leak.

John

[LittleHoov]

For my drain pan I actually use a 1 gallon kitty litter pan, which is usually pretty full and you have to be careful with it to keep from spilling, but its short enough to fit under the car.

and as was said, it is possible to change it without lifting the car, if your pan is small enough, and you can physically reach under there, I fit the description of a tall, skinny white boy, so I can, but my dad for example, who is a bit more...shall we say..roltund, cant quite get in under there.

Also since the drain hole is on the front of the pan, lifting the front of the car would make it harder for all the oil to drain out, so you might have more old oil left in there as opposed to having the car sitting level.

[crashnburn]

I suppose I forgot to mention that I am 6'-7" & it is easier for taller guys with a big wing span to reach it.

[LittleHoov]

haha yeah im 6'0 and only weigh about 160, so yeah im built like a 14 yr old girl, so its easy for me to get into those hard to reach places