Just like the subject said...I am thinking of getting a Mityvac to do oil changes, b/c I just don't want to put the car up on jacks or ramps and get under it.

How many of you guys change your own oil, etc.? How do you go about doing the changes/maintenance?

 

I've changed my own oil once and will do oil, tranny, and rear diff soon. I only used one floor jack on the passenger side for the oil. I would suggest against doing anything but letting gravity drain your fluids.

 

I just changed my oil last night. Just need one jack on the passenger side frame rail where it is reinforced to lift the car up enough to slide a drain pan under the drain plug. You can access the oil filter easily. The only caveat would be that the oil filter would be to tight to remove by hand and have to remove the tire to take it out.

 

If it is too tight, punch a screwdriver through it and turn the screwdriver. It's messy, but easier than removing the wheel. I had to do this on my first time. I tried to take the wheel off, but the lugs were too tight.

 

Just an update. I changed the oil and rear diff fluid this past weekend. Both can be done with a single jack and some patience. For oil all you need is a 15 mm socket. For the diff you will need a 3/8" drive and a suction gun. Turns out the tranny fluid doesn't need changing as soon as I previously thought. I will hold off on this until it pops up on the mid. For those interested, there are instructions for changing the diff in the garage service manual under "Rear Differential".

 

Oil changes, air filters (passanger and engine) ATF, mid drive gear oil and both chambers of the rear diff. Will also change brakes pads and rotors when the time comes.

 

I have the done the following on the RL, by myself - Oil changes, AT fluid 3x3 flush, differential fluid change (both chambers), Air filter, Cabin filter, tire rotation, brake pads/disk replacement, brake fluid bleeding.

Since i am at 76k miles, i am planning to do coolant drain-refill, spark plugs replacement, and serpentine belt replacement in the near future.

With the exception of the oil filter location, the RL is a very easy car to work on.