dee diddy

should i let the engine run for a couple mins 1st before draining the oil out? or is it ok if the engine (and the oil) is cold?

and i've read you should also either take the dipstick out or take off the oil cap so the oil will drain faster? is that true?

jean

Change the oil hot... like 15-20 mins of hwy driving.
Remove the oil cap, dipstick wont matter.
J

SK2003TypeS

I do the same. Remove oil cap, but not dipstick. Be careful when you make it too hot. When that oil comes out, pours on your hand and down your arm, it's not to plesant.

dee diddy

another thing...are you supposed to unscrew the drain bolt clockwise or counter-clockwise? cuz i can't frickin get the damn thing off. i am using a 17mm socket which is the right size. i also tried WD-40ing the bolt, but it won't come off! it's pissing me off! HELP!!!

Bear2Day

Righty tighty, Leafty loosy!
Somthing like that!

fsttyms1

^ use a 1/2 socket wrench with 17mm socket and give it a good tug counterclockwise (facing the bolt)

dj5

It may be in your best interest to take it someplace and let them change you oil for you.

Stripping out the drain plug would be a bad thing.

TLBaller

yes, be careful NOT to strip the bolt

T Ho

Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

dee diddy

finally i got the fvcker off. my 1st own oil change wasn't too bad, but it got real messy when i took the filter off. besides, that it was simple as everyone said it'd be. but the real surprising thing is that when i was emptying my oil pan container with the old oil back into the empty 1L bottles for recycling, i only got 3 bottles full! either those damn no-good acura mechanics didn't put in the required 4.6 quarts (~4.35L) of new oil only 6000 km ago in june or oil does evaporate that fast which i can't believe. what's the least amount of motor oil our engines can go on? cuz i sure hope those 3L were ok.

jean

Some oil can accounted for in the old filter, maybe up to 1/2 a litre.. and if you were a little low on oil before the change and if the car was not on a big enough incline there will be a little oil left in the sump.
J

T Ho

Engines can sometimes use a slight amount of oil as well.

You aren't likely evaporating it, though. You'd notice an oil "sheen" under the hood if you were.

dee diddy

well i'd say the oil that gushed out when i took off the filter including what was in it was maybe around 1/3 of a litre. that's still a lot of oil left in the sump. but this got me thinking. despite the manual stating to fill up the engine with 4.6 quarts (4.35L), is it absolutely necessary? i think putting in just 4L will still keep you between the min & max lines on the dipstick. that way, i don't need to get a 5th bottle (1L) of oil. just a 4L jug is ok.