Oil change - do it yourself it's so easy

[Zing]

Did the first oil change for my H2 today (6,000 miles, while my indicator still said I had 26% oil life http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif)). Soooo easy. Here are a few pointers for the less experienced.

1. What you need: 6 quarts of 5W-30, oil filter, tool to loosen/tighten filter, wrench (15mm or adjustable), tin foil, container for old oil, funnel, lots of rags, 1/2 hour.

2. What you don't need: to jack up the H2, or remove underbody protection.

3. Drive around the block a couple times first (my dad always told me this stirs up any particles settling on the bottom). But don't change your oil after driving over 5 miles. Oil will be scaulding hot (and you will be touching it).

3. Put down rags and the container w/funnel in place. Hard to find a container that holds 6 quarts and fits under the H2. The plastic container for "Tidey Cat" kitty litter works perfectly with a funnel on top. Otherwise use a bucket.

4. Loosen the oil plug nut SLOWLY. Since the hole faces sideways (not down) oil shoots out 6 inches and winds up skimming off the funnel all over. When the nut is ready to come out, keep it there to regulate. After a quart comes out, you can remove the nut completely and let it drain. Put the nut back on.

5. Next remove the oil filter, and be aware that over a pint of oil will spill. Simple solution. Take one foot of tin foil and cover what's next to and under the filter and shape the foil so it funnels the spillage into your container. Loosen the filter (need the tool designed for this), let it drain, then remove it and put it in a rag to dispose. Put the new filter on and tighten.

6. Open the hood, look for the cap that says oil/5W-30, put in your 6 quarts and your done.

I remember my dealer telling me changing oil on an H2 costs $160 because it requires removing the underbody protection, which is bullsh#t. See the picture. $10 and 1/2 hour work beats $30-$160 and waiting around for service on my day off.

[Zing]

Did the first oil change for my H2 today (6,000 miles, while my indicator still said I had 26% oil life http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif)). Soooo easy. Here are a few pointers for the less experienced.

1. What you need: 6 quarts of 5W-30, oil filter, tool to loosen/tighten filter, wrench (15mm or adjustable), tin foil, container for old oil, funnel, lots of rags, 1/2 hour.

2. What you don't need: to jack up the H2, or remove underbody protection.

3. Drive around the block a couple times first (my dad always told me this stirs up any particles settling on the bottom). But don't change your oil after driving over 5 miles. Oil will be scaulding hot (and you will be touching it).

3. Put down rags and the container w/funnel in place. Hard to find a container that holds 6 quarts and fits under the H2. The plastic container for "Tidey Cat" kitty litter works perfectly with a funnel on top. Otherwise use a bucket.

4. Loosen the oil plug nut SLOWLY. Since the hole faces sideways (not down) oil shoots out 6 inches and winds up skimming off the funnel all over. When the nut is ready to come out, keep it there to regulate. After a quart comes out, you can remove the nut completely and let it drain. Put the nut back on.

5. Next remove the oil filter, and be aware that over a pint of oil will spill. Simple solution. Take one foot of tin foil and cover what's next to and under the filter and shape the foil so it funnels the spillage into your container. Loosen the filter (need the tool designed for this), let it drain, then remove it and put it in a rag to dispose. Put the new filter on and tighten.

6. Open the hood, look for the cap that says oil/5W-30, put in your 6 quarts and your done.

I remember my dealer telling me changing oil on an H2 costs $160 because it requires removing the underbody protection, which is bullsh#t. See the picture. $10 and 1/2 hour work beats $30-$160 and waiting around for service on my day off.

[Zing]

Did the first oil change for my H2 today (6,000 miles, while my indicator still said I had 26% oil life http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif)). Soooo easy. Here are a few pointers for the less experienced.

1. What you need: 6 quarts of 5W-30, oil filter, tool to loosen/tighten filter, wrench (15mm or adjustable), tin foil, container for old oil, funnel, lots of rags, 1/2 hour.

2. What you don't need: to jack up the H2, or remove underbody protection.

3. Drive around the block a couple times first (my dad always told me this stirs up any particles settling on the bottom). But don't change your oil after driving over 5 miles. Oil will be scaulding hot (and you will be touching it).

3. Put down rags and the container w/funnel in place. Hard to find a container that holds 6 quarts and fits under the H2. The plastic container for "Tidey Cat" kitty litter works perfectly with a funnel on top. Otherwise use a bucket.

4. Loosen the oil plug nut SLOWLY. Since the hole faces sideways (not down) oil shoots out 6 inches and winds up skimming off the funnel all over. When the nut is ready to come out, keep it there to regulate. After a quart comes out, you can remove the nut completely and let it drain. Put the nut back on.

5. Next remove the oil filter, and be aware that over a pint of oil will spill. Simple solution. Take one foot of tin foil and cover what's next to and under the filter and shape the foil so it funnels the spillage into your container. Loosen the filter (need the tool designed for this), let it drain, then remove it and put it in a rag to dispose. Put the new filter on and tighten.

6. Open the hood, look for the cap that says oil/5W-30, put in your 6 quarts and your done.

I remember my dealer telling me changing oil on an H2 costs $160 because it requires removing the underbody protection, which is bullsh#t. See the picture. $10 and 1/2 hour work beats $30-$160 and waiting around for service on my day off.

[Zing]

Pic

[pushrod]

Does the EPA know what you have in that blue drum on the other side of the fence? It looks like a Super Fund Cleanup Site to me.

[frank6150]

Does the Government know about the kiddie porn on your hard drive?

[RIC-H0]

You can actually take any kind of oil you would like to Walmart, and they will do an oil change for $10. I used to do that when I had My Super Duty with the Powersroke (15 quarts of oil!).
It is just so much easier to have them dispose of the oil. Besides, some places will only take a gallon of oil at a time for disposal, so you end up going to several different places to get rid of all your oil.

Ric-H2

[MAC]

I did my own oil change once about 30 years ago, not my cup of tea. Now I make an appointment with the Hummer dealer, drop it off 8AM after dropping the boys off at schools, then pick it up 3PM. Often, not always, it is washed. No charge.

[DennisAJC]

Mackel Jacksun,

I hear they have a special on FULL BODY Bleaching.

That way you can still be Italian or Jewish like you so like to tell everyone.

Cambodians can dream too I guess.

Not so witty on the racist remarks now are we BRUTHUR.

[Dan]

I see the bucket of used motor oil you tossed over the fence http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Good idea about using foil, I'll have to try that!

[Detonate]

My dealership charges $30 to do it. And in addition to changing the oil, they also grease all kinds of god knows what underneath that apparently needs greasing to keep it from wearing out too soon.

They also check the rest of my fluids, and like Mac mentioned, they wash it.

At least they did the one time so far I've taken it to them. But I will be sure to take it there from now on. I always thought dealerships ripped you off, but so far, I'm really pleased with the service center at my dealership.

[Zing]

Wow, this NY area is so overpriced. I forgot about greasing the joints. Anybody do that themselves? That happens to be really easy if you have the grease gun and fitting.

Dan, I did implicate myself. That Pushrod is even all over me. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

By the way Happy Easter everybody.

[frank6150]

It's ok Zing, The FBI is probably keeping him busy right now since he is into all that pre-teen bondage stuff.

[DennisAJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by PhilD:
That I do do myself. Only because no one ever does it, or if they do they don't do them all. Over the years I have specifically asked many places for the vehicle to be lubed, but it rarely gets done, even at many dealers. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I changed the oil myself and lubed most of the nipple/lube points. Only found 10 nipples and I hear there are 18 of them(As to what the dealer says). Any clue as to where the rest are?

[MAC]

Z, what's the oil change price in NYC? As I mentioned before, the H dealer price for oil change is $150, shocking, but what is more shocking is that the service gates are always full with long line of autos waiting to get in in the morning. I always need an appointment, at that price, they get more business than they can handle. Maybe $150 is not expensive to the folks in the line.

[Zing]

Oil change costs $40-$60 for regular cars in Manhattan, probably $50 to $100 for an H2. And most people go to the suburbs. When I had a Jeep, I used to go to a little shop in NJ who charged $20. Nice, honest people. No appointments, though. You show up at 7 am and hope your the first one.

I find generally merchants try to take advantage of the H2. Parking in garages is interesting. You pay a standard $10 premium for an H2 in all parking facilities in NYC. And if it's covered garage (as opposed to a lot) most turn you away, particularly if it's busy. Either you're too tall, too heavy for the elevator, or the guy just doesn't want to think about it unless you slip him a $20.

[MAC]

The Union sq Club garage is under construction, we now use private garages around the Club, one nearest run by a group of Arabs wants $35 minimum for the Hummer. At the hotel we own next door, parking costs about $15 plus tips for a lunch, not bad. Just like everything else, you have to shop around and know the prices, much like the car washes, electronics, or freeways. 210 is busy west bound in the morning, busy east bound in the evening, clears up at 605, same stories at 101, 280, 380, or any cities, you just have to know and plan ahead.

[Livin\' Large]

I would be very upset if I looked under there and saw this. Just my opinion. Mine doesn't look that bad or more I should say didn't look that bad.

[sKauGhTiEe]

Good Ole Wal-Mart charges 10 to 15 bucks, fills all the other fluids for ya and vacumns the vehicle while you shop... Much easier to just have someone else do it at a good rate.

[Spike]

I pay $49.00 for an oil change and lube (supposedly) at the local Hummer dealer which is 2 miles from my house.

[Hummer Man]

I got free services for the first two years (unlimited miles) from the dealer. To date I have gotten $966.00 worth of free services. I had already purchased my H2 and then asked the dealer a month later and he said sure. He gave it to me in writing.

[MAC]

I paid $900 for 3 years of services. Very good deal for me.
I like it very much. One less thing to think about or shop for.
After that, if I still have the Hummer, I'll take it to independent shops.

[Kevin B]

I do my own oil changes and it' no big deal. No stripped drain plugs for me, thank you very much. But then I like doing things for myself even if they only look like they will work well and are a bit tackey http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

Phil, im sure the guys at the shop love the synthetic oil you bring them for their cars wile they put the "cheep stuff" in your Hummer http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif.(Please note the sarcastic smile)

[RIC-H0]

I actualy get Phil's synthetic Oil from the shop he takes it to. They give it to me for half the price because Phil pays full price for his labor!!! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Ric-H2

[Kevin B]

Phil, you left the smile off the quote, whats up?

[Yetti]

the best way to remove the rust is to take it to the sand dunes! it will have everything down to shiney metal when you get done, drive straight to the undercoating shop and have sealed.

and as for changing the oil, half the fun of owning any car is taking care of it. when the wife took her mini van in for its first oil change the mechanic droped a 6' jackstand down the side and scratched the door and fender,and when my GMC dually went in for a trans at 6000 miles it was run into a post and the box side had a ten inch tear in it. the dealer wanted me to take the truck wrecked, and bring it back for repair a month later!
after the wifes run in I bought a 9000lb rotory hoist for the garage, just to do oil changes, brakes.etc.. I have already had the H2 up on it and it handles the weight fine.

[KenP]

Yetti, I would not advertise having a lift around here. You never know who may show up to us it. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Dan]

There are these products out there too:

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

http://www.autobarn.net/frasdseries.html?AID=10274001&PID=1407856

No experience with either, but they look useful.

[noc]

6 Quarts is all we need? What does the service manual say?? not 6 1/2?

[Yetti]

Dan,
the "sure drain" thing reminds me of things they used to sell you could jam through the lid of can so it could be resealed, you can see how popular they became...

[Yetti]

KenP,
its not the hoist time I worry about its the folks who show up wanting to use it and once their ride is disabled they want you to cart them around and buy their parts.
I have a list for the rates I always use, they read like this
$50 an hour for normal repairs
$75 an hour for family + parts
$100 an hour if you help...

sorry no motorhomes or dump trucks unless its a life or death emergency,

[Hummer Man]

PhilD, the number is at 150+ from 22 countries to be exact!

[Zing]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by noc:
6 Quarts is all we need? What does the service manual say?? not 6 1/2? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember reading 6 quarts, but anyway the dipstick indicated 6 quarts was just right.

[Hummer Man]

Just counted 156!!!

[PARAGON]

Hummer Man(ic), you are definitely getting screwed in the deal. You have personally sold 157 H2s and all you have gotten out of it is less than $1000 in free service?

[Mike (by the beach)]

Thanks for the pics -- I have not changed my own oil in 15 years -- but I think I will start again ... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Hummer Man]

Nice Job.

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Nice Job. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This coming from one with experience. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Hummer Man]

Thanks KenP, YOU ARE THE MAN ! Thanks for your kind words and support!

[dochummer]

Ok, so the local walmart won't do the oil change because they insist they have to remove the skid plate etc... So, I picked up a few quarts of Mobil 1, and a fram filter and did it myself. Everything turned out fine for my first time which I'm pretty happy about. The aluminum foil idea was perfect, and didn't have any mess. Ended up changing the oil in the wife's suv also... Thanks for the tips...

now, gotta check on the lube points...

[hummerNCO]

I changed my own oil a couple of months ago because it was way easier than dropping it off at the dealer for the WHOLE DAY and then paying twelve times more than it should cost. I went to Costco and bought a six-pack of aluminum pans used for roasting turkeys to use as the catch basin. When I was done, I poured the used oil back into the Mobil 1 bottles, put them back into the box, and threw away the pan. As far as having to get rid of the used oil… I put the box in my parking stall (I live in an apartment) and it was stolen within three days. There’s probably another 6,000 miles left in that oil… the fools…

[Anthony]

Take the used oil to JiffyLube or a Valvoline shop. In Indianapolis they dispose of it for free. All I have to do is drop it off. The aluminum pan or some sort of diverter for the oil to not land on the skid plate is a must. I made that mistake the first time and had to clean it up which took more time than actually changing the oil.

For reference, the dealer here charges $30 for conventional oil and $90 for mobile one.

[dochummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">As far as having to get rid of the used oil… I put the box in my parking stall (I live in an apartment) and it was stolen within three days. There’s probably another 6,000 miles left in that oil… the fools… </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok, now that's a great way to get rid of stuff http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Anybody know how easy it is to change the oil on a mercedes e-class - 2001 I think. I've heard that beemers require something special...

[VTSTOMPER]

Does the oil % reset on it's own, or is there a stoopid formula I will have to do. Like, pump brake, and roll a window down while having the truck off, in reverse with the key turned to ACC?!

[dochummer]

on my 03, you just need to change the DIC to view the current oil status, and press and hold the enter/arrow button for a few seconds. that should reset it. I think I also read somehwere that you can also do the break pumping action, but this is much easier... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[crash]

Key to the "on" (not run, or your motor might sound like a nascar http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif) and pump the gas pedal 3 times, then wait for 20 seconds and turn the key off http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif