I know. Some of you are probably thinking I'm by asking for pics/instructions on such an easy procedure. However, I think this will be very useful for everyone and it can branch out to other maintenance tasks so that we can save some $$$ and learn about our cars at the same time. What do you all think?

 

I know what your saying, coming from a newbie this means alot lol, but if you cant change the oil in your maxima you shouldn't be teh owner of one hehehehe, i guess it's an okay idea I mean alot of people on the board dont do anything to their cars, its not even about money its the principals....also i have no mods but its a money issue i mean im 16 so if anyone wants to donate to the "Mod Adams Maxy" fund please feel free to send a PAYPAL or any other form of payment, haha

 

I am going to document the procedure (with pics) on my next oil change. I think it's a good idea for those not accustomed (or never have) changed their oil.

 

Changed my oil on Tuesday... had to jack the car up because the pan wouldn't go underneath my car.

Here's what you can do if your car is not slammed to the ground.
1) Turn wheel all the way to the right
2) Put a drain pan underneath the oil plug (located at the front-right of the car)
3) Take off oil filler cap
4) Use a 14mm wrench to get the plug off
5) Let oil drain
6) Unscrew oil filter (behind the black splash-fender thingy)
7) Let oil drain until you don't see any coming out
While waiting, pour some oil into filter and spread oil around the metal and rubber gasket (on filter). Change oil drain plug gasket if you have one (not necessary)
8) Tighten plug
9) Screw filter back on
10) Put 4.25 quarts of new oil back
11) Put cap back on
12) Start car and look for leaks
13) Done

 

Uh...that's me he's talking about!!!

 

Whew, I'm glad that some people find this idea useful as well. Keep it coming everyone.

mdeal: Thanks for the offer. Looking forward to the pics.

y2kevse: Oil change master. Does that mean I get a free lube/filter when I come up?

 

Bring some oil, a filter, and a bag of Chetos Flamin' Hot chips and I'll do your oil change.

 

LOL!! Cheetos eh..."It's not easy being cheeeeeeeesy."

Kev = easy to please. That's good.

What oil/filter do you all recommend? Nissan? Others?

 

Nissan oil filter will do just fine.

Mmmmm.... (I spelled) Cheetos (wrong)!!! Remember to get the Flamin' Hot bag.

 

flamin hot huh? new flavor? im a traditionalist, i think i'll stick with your stock bag of cheetos.. i'm a fan of crunchy, not puffed..

 

Why stay stock when you can mod?

The flavor's been out for a long time already, but not all stores carry them. Flamin' Hot is crunchy AND spicy.

 

mmm..im goin to the beach now so i'll pick a bag up.. maybe we can get a group deal going??

 

I just finished reading a thread talking about 10w/30 vs 5w/30. I figure that with my SoCal driving, 10w/30 should be sufficient. Should I wait though before changing to synthetic since I only have 3000 miles on my Max? What brands are the best (price/performance)?

 

Go start one. I'll be the first to sign up on your list.

 

I say stick with 5w/30. You can go to synthetic whenever you want. I get Mobil 1 synthetic (blue labels) because the good stuff is too expensive.

 

How much? Where to buy?

 

About $4.29 a quart at Target, Walmart, Kragen, PepBoys, etc. Buy 5 quarts (bottles).

 

What jOO mean "good stuff", I thought Mobil 1 was the good stuff. I'm changing my oil this weekend for the first time. Oily Virgin. anyway, directions say turn wheels to right, which side is oil plug and filter.

 

Good stuff like Redline, Amsoil, and Royal Purple are bling bling.

The oil plug and filter on located at the front-right of the car (right behind the wheel).

 

Whoa...that's pretty steep. Makes me wonder what they put in your car when they have those coupons for a $9.95 oil change. Anyways, I have some time to look and shop around. I'll let you guys know if I stumble onto a good deal.

mdeal: Can't wait to see your pics.

 

It's not that steep because you can go longer (w/o changing the oil) with synthetic than with regualar oil. Shing, Jeff, and the Evil Moderator have a oil analysis sticky thread in the General Forum.

 

I see. Thanks for the info.

 

From what I read, around 7500 miles right?

 

No prob.

 

Yup, vs. 3K for regular.

 

I had never changed my oil until last year. Easy to do, but you might miss a step if you've never done it before. Or you might not know that its a good idea to bring a filter wrench. Or, possibly forgetting all of your physics training from college, you may forget that when you pull out the oil plug and start letting it drain, the flow of the oil will be different than when you come back most of the oil has drained out and is now all over the ground. Handy tips like these may save future oil-change newbies the aggravations experiened by other stupid, unnamed persons.