How to change Oil

[SamirD]

Napa's upper end parts are top-notch for aftermarket, so it wouldn't surprise me if their filter was good.

[twoqttsdad]

Is the oil filter accessible from the top after I remove the heat sheild?

I was hoping to be able to do that and remove the drain plug without having to jack up the car.

I'm thinking the car is too low though.

[KuroNekko]

Is the oil filter accessible from the top after I remove the heat sheild?

I was hoping to be able to do that and remove the drain plug without having to jack up the car.

I'm thinking the car is too low though.

The oil filter can be completely serviced from the top. Removing the exhaust manifold heat shield will give you better access and visual of the filter.

However, you need to get under the car to remove the drain plug. Doing so requires the removal of an undercover panel anyways so it's unavoidable.

If you really don't want to or physically can't get under the car due to age or disability, you may want to consider an oil extractor pump. My father uses one and if done correctly, works with fantastic results. However, there are downsides to these.

[twoqttsdad]

Thanks for the info!

I'm just lazy and don't want to spend the money on jack stands and a floor jack if I don't have to.

I'm going to the local auto parts store to see if they have an oil extractor. A video I found showed that that done properly it pulls more fluid from the bottom of the pan that can't be drained from the drain plug.

I can stomach spending $50 on a unit instead of chocking the tires, jacking up the car, placing jack stands and crawling under. It seems much cleaner too.

[KuroNekko]

Thanks for the info!

I'm just lazy and don't want to spend the money on jack stands and a floor jack if I don't have to.

I'm going to the local auto parts store to see if they have an oil extractor. A video I found showed that that done properly it pulls more fluid from the bottom of the pan that can't be drained from the drain plug.

I can stomach spending $50 on a unit instead of chocking the tires, jacking up the car, placing jack stands and crawling under. It seems much cleaner too.

I highly doubt you will find it in an auto parts store. You'd have to go to a specialty store to find something like this. Online is your best bet.
Also, I doubt you can find a decent one close to $50. They are closer to double, triple that price.

Personally, I'd go with the ramps and wheel chocks because they allow you do more with the car in terms of repairs and service. Jack stands allow you to rotate wheels and change your brakes. Yeah, these tools cost money up front, but save you thousands of dollars down the line if you work on your car. I've probably saved myself and all the people I've helped close to $50,000 in repairs and service in the 12 or so years I've been wrenching on cars as a hobby.

Also, the pump is not exactly mess-free. They drip quite a bit from the extraction straw. The straws can be cumbersome and messy to transport as well. Also, it can be difficult to position the straw correctly down into the oil pan via the dipstick tube. It took nearly 15 minutes to position the straw correctly to suck out oil the last time my father and I used the extractor pump on his Jetta. This is because you really need to get it down in there for it to work well.

There is also the belief that they don't extract sludge and other deposits on the bottom of the oil pan as well as using gravity to drain it out from under the car.

Getting under the car also helps you become aware of issues like gasket leaks, CV boot tears, bushing wear, dust cap tears, corrosion, muffler hangers, etc.

Both have pros and cons you have to weigh out.

[SamirD]

KuroNekko has some great points (as usual ) on the oil extractor. I know I need one for the Mercedes in our fleet, but I'll probably use it on the Kizashi in between proper under car drains as well.

It's important to weigh all the pros and cons when buying tools and servicing things yourself. If you're spending more to get the same quality of work as shops, you're wasting time and money.

[KuroNekko]

KuroNekko has some great points (as usual ) on the oil extractor. I know I need one for the Mercedes in our fleet, but I'll probably use it on the Kizashi in between proper under car drains as well.

It's important to weigh all the pros and cons when buying tools and servicing things yourself. If you're spending more to get the same quality of work as shops, you're wasting time and money.

Does the Mercedes not have a drain bolt?
I've read that the official Mercedes factory training for changing oil is to drain oil with an extractor pump.

[SamirD]

Does the Mercedes not have a drain bolt?
I've read that the official Mercedes factory training for changing oil is to drain oil with an extractor pump.

We have an C,E, and S class, so they're all a bit different. I know the E has one, but I'm not sure about where it is on the other two. I know the E55 owners out there have changed it through the pan, but only after raising the other side of the car about 6".

The only reason I even considered a pump is because it is Mercedes factory service procedure. Personally, I'd put a car on a lift every time and check out the rest of the car while the oil is draining, but no lift for me...yet...

[KuroNekko]

Does the Mercedes not have a drain bolt?
I've read that the official Mercedes factory training for changing oil is to drain oil with an extractor pump.

We have an C,E, and S class, so they're all a bit different. I know the E has one, but I'm not sure about where it is on the other two. I know the E55 owners out there have changed it through the pan, but only after raising the other side of the car about 6".

The only reason I even considered a pump is because it is Mercedes factory service procedure. Personally, I'd put a car on a lift every time and check out the rest of the car while the oil is draining, but no lift for me...yet...

Ramps and a creeper are what I use. Cheap, safe, and effective.

[SamirD]

Ramps and a creeper are what I use. Cheap, safe, and effective.

I've got those, and they work fine. But you can do sooo much more with a lift. It's why the pros have them. (Hence I want one too. )