Built_Well, 5/18/2008,2:44:18 PM, wrote:

>
> Hi again, gang. I hope everyone has been great.
>
> Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
> again with my Toyota
> friends.
>
> Only this time I have a surprise! I did my first-ever oil change the
> other day! It was a
> real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
> participants in this newsgroup
> for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
> folks like
> Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. I also must not
> forget to thank the
> author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."
>
> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>
> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)

Do yourself a favor and get some drive up ramps if you must lift the
front end of the vehicle. It takes a couple of times for you to get
used to setting them up right and driving onto them but you'll learn
the first time! Don't forget to block the back wheels also.

Changing your own oil not only saves money but it also saves time! I
can use the oil brand and oil filter of my own choice and still pay
less than half what a dealer or oil change place charges. From start
to finishing of cleanup I can be done in 30 minutes. Contrast that to
making appointments or having to wait your turn for the next available
spot. Once you learn to change the other fluids you have become a
regular grease monkey!

One other thing you might want to consider is an oil filter wrench like
I have. It is a spring-loaded self-adjusting steel claw that fits over
the top of any size oil filter. You use a ratchet and any length
extension. Say goodbye to skinned knuckles and burned hands.

badgolferman wrote:
> Built_Well, 5/18/2008,2:44:18 PM, wrote:
>
>> Hi again, gang. I hope everyone has been great.
>>
>> Well, it's time for another oil change, so I thought I'd check in
>> again with my Toyota
>> friends.
>>
>> Only this time I have a surprise! I did my first-ever oil change the
>> other day! It was a
>> real pleasure to do, and I have to thank all the wonderful
>> participants in this newsgroup
>> for all the helpful advice and information you all have provided--
>> folks like
>> Ray O, Hachiroku, Tegger, Bruce Bergman, etc., etc. I also must not
>> forget to thank the
>> author of the beginner's book "Auto Upkeep."
>>
>> I hope everyone has been great, and stay safe under the chassis.
>>
>> PS: After working under the chassis with oil spilling down
>> my arm, I quickly learned the importance of safety goggles
>> and latex gloves. I bought some at Walmart the very next day :-)
>
> Do yourself a favor and get some drive up ramps if you must lift the
> front end of the vehicle. It takes a couple of times for you to get
> used to setting them up right and driving onto them but you'll learn
> the first time! Don't forget to block the back wheels also.
>
> Changing your own oil not only saves money but it also saves time! I
> can use the oil brand and oil filter of my own choice and still pay
> less than half what a dealer or oil change place charges. From start
> to finishing of cleanup I can be done in 30 minutes. Contrast that to
> making appointments or having to wait your turn for the next available
> spot. Once you learn to change the other fluids you have become a
> regular grease monkey!
>
> One other thing you might want to consider is an oil filter wrench like
> I have. It is a spring-loaded self-adjusting steel claw that fits over
> the top of any size oil filter. You use a ratchet and any length
> extension. Say goodbye to skinned knuckles and burned hands.
I changed my oil yesterday. No big deal. I use ramps and have a nice
sized catch bucket. I write the size of the drain plug somewhere under
the hoods of each of my vehicles, so I'll have the proper wrench. I
use 18 inch channel locks to get the old filter off. The auto parts
stores usually have some kind of special on oil and filters. This time
it was 14.95 for 5 qts of penzoil and a fram filter, use to be 8 bucks,
but inflation is under control so the gov't says. I take my time and
enjoy doing it. I tear off the lid of the filter box and write the
mileage and date and put it in the glasses storage place above the
windshield. That's my system of doing oil changes. Took me about 3
hours, because the neighbor came over to chat, and I took nap in the
middle of the oil change, maybe a nap and a half. The car was still on
the ramps last night. Nice to be retired.
Next oil change the timing belt is due to be changed, I haven't
decided if I'll do the timing belt myself or hire it done. I've got
three or 4 months to think about it. And I know is the oil plug and
filter are tight, the belts, hoses, exhaust system, U joint boots are
still in good shape, windshield washer tank is full and the tire
pressures are correct.

I used to use my ramps but I now use a pair of boards. Stack a two
foot long and an eighteen inch long 2x12's on top of each other.
Screw the boards together. Screw a 2x4 across the top, for a stop.
Position the the boards a few inches in front of the tires and drive
up upon them until you reach the stop.
Place a big piece of card board on the floor. Place drain pan on card
board and slide it into position.
Using a 14mm wrench or socket, remove drain plug. I strongly suggest
using nitril gloves to protect hands. Do not loose the drain plug
seal washer. It is always a good idea to have a new one on hand, just
in case. Some people change the washer every time but I can get many
oil changes out of the same washer.
The filter on a 1999 V-6 Camry is located under the exhaust header.
Wear a pair of leather gloves to protect you hands from getting burnt
on the hot header.
Position some disposable towels (rags) under the oil filter. This will
help capture some of the oil which will leak out of the filter during
removal. Wipe the area around the filter before loosening the
filter. This will help keep dirt from falling into the filter mount
when the filter is removed.
Use a CLEAN rag to wipe the filter mounting face on the engine.
Remove the filter from the box and coat the o-ring seal on the oil
filter with a thin film of clean motor oil.
Install the filter and tighten up as directed by the directions. I
like to place a mark on the filter top so I can tell how far it has
been tightened. Most filters are tightened 3/4 turn after the filter
makes contact with the base.
Do not forget to install the drain plug. If you are a perfectionist,
use a torque wrench. If you are the shade tree variety, a good
snugging will be sufficient. Do not over do it. You do not want
strip the threads.
Wipe the area around the oil fill before removing the cap.
If you use a funnel (highly recommended) make sure that it is
absolutely CLEAN!!!!!! Keep the funnel in a closed container for the
next oil change. Add the proper grade and amount of good quality motor
oil to you engine. Re-install the oil fill cap.
Wipe up any spilled oil.
Record the mileage.
Remove drain pan.
Give everything a good check over. Coolant, transmission, windshield
washer, brake fluid, tire pressures (don't forget to check the spare
tire), battery (distilled water only) and clean the windows.
Start engine and check for leaks at filter and drain plug.