How do you reach under the car to change oil and filter?

[szh]

Hi, all.

I went to change my oil and filter over the previous weekend, and realized that I really need to have it up on a lift or something. The shield below the engine needs to be removed, and it is not easy to reach under the car on level ground. Can't just jack it up since the car needs to be reasonably level to drain all the oil, etc. Argh!

What do other folks do in this regards? (Besides taking the Infiniti OEM filter and oil - cause I wanna use a particular oil this time - to a oil-changer place?)

Z

[cweberj30t]

Just bring it to the dealer. You just bought the thing. They should be more than happy to help you out and give you a change with whatever oil and filter you want. Demand that they change it for you. :angryfire

[IvoryJ30t]

usually what i would do if im not working in the shop [job], what i would do is jack the side of the car up where the filter is located, remove the filter, remove the drain plug, then lower the car.

let the oil drain, then jack the car back up to reinstall the new filter and replace the drain plug.

[szh]

Just bring it to the dealer. You just bought the thing. They should be more than happy to help you out and give you a change with whatever oil and filter you want. Demand that they change it for you. :angryfire

I already have an appointment with the dealer for this Friday. The problem is that they were booked up solid for two weeks and I did not want to wait (will put on another 1000 miles by then!)

Z

[szh]

usually what i would do if im not working in the shop [job], what i would do is jack the side of the car up where the filter is located, remove the filter, remove the drain plug, then lower the car.

let the oil drain, then jack the car back up to reinstall the new filter and replace the drain plug.

I thought of doing that ... but just became a little concerned for a number of reasons. First, I do not want to have an accident with me reaching that far under the car! Second, I could not cleanly see all the screws to remove the engine shield or where I could cleanly put the floor jack that I have (need to get stands for sure!)

Oh, well, back to some more looking. It is amazing how full the engine compartment is ... I am far more used to when I worked on my RX-7 for such simple stuff - just reached down from the top!

Z

[Q451990]

I have a floor jack and five jackstands. I jack the car up level, front end first and then the back. With the jack under the differential, jack stands on all four corners, and the 5th stand under the crossmember in the front, it's supported in 6 places, so I feel fairly comfortable under there.

Thanks!

Heath

[Black94Jay]

Guys:

It just isn't worth it. No car or engine is that important for you to crawl under that is supported by a floor jack or stands. One collapse of a stand or jack, there will be no second chance. I change oil, filter and do other under body service on my full size Bronco. Enough clearance to let it sit on all four tires. No way am I going to crawl under my wife's J-30t for an oil change. Find a reputable garage and see if you can bring your own oil and filter and see what they will charge for just the change out service. They are out there. There are a bunch of other things that you can do on your car working from above the engine compartment. The few bucks that you save changing your own oil, just are not worth it in my estimation. Most of us have families. Factor them into the equation.

[szh]

I guess I have to agree ... no use in taking a risk in this regard.

Z

[Rex]

Didn't someone post that Walmart has as smoking deal using Mobil 1 synth? Like $30ish and I'm sure they'd let you bring your own filter??

[szh]

(I think that was AZhitman.) FWIW, per Fred's advice, I don't want to go to Synthetic just yet. This is my second oil change and I am going to use Castrol GTX 10W-40 for this change. The next one will be full synthetic if I can find Mobile 1 0W-40 around here.

My concern with Walmart is that I will not be able to supervise their work carefully enough - I do not want mistakes! I would think that an independent garage would be safer and better.

Z

[DrewQ45]

I've been changing my oil for umpteen years and will continue to do so on my own. While being under a car being support by a floor jack is a bad idea, I have enough confidence in a good set of well placed jack stands to crawl under and do my thing. I've had some bad experiences when I've given my car out for an oil change or anything else for that matter. Oil cap being left off, underfilling, air hose barely on etc. How will one learn about their vehicle if they don't crawl underneath it? What if some work needs to be done.... run to the dealer each time??? I say be careful, but try to become familiar with your car from all possible angles else you'll pay big $$$. It's also a way to spot potential problems before they become big ones.

Now if you're getting free oil changes, then the following info is probably not necessary for you....

I don't know about an M45 but on my 90 Q, I perform it from above. I suppose most folks here do it from below by pulling the shield. For me, it takes 15-20 mins (unless I let the oil drain overnight which is something I like to do). I jack my car up about 6 inches so I can reach my Fumoto oil valve which releases the oil with the flip of switch. I remove the air box cover along with part of the hose, laying it on top of the engine. I then remove the charcoal canister which I keep finger tightened and that gives me access to the oil filter. I use only the K&N oil filter (note: I said OIL.... not air) since it has a built in 1 inch nut on the end which makes pulling it a breeze(a huge help). Hope this helps, you will probably have to form your own technique as you car is probably different.

...Drew....

[DAEDALUS]

I have faith in the integrity of jack stands. When I change my oil I jack up the driver's side just high enough to place a lowered stand under it, and this is just high enough to allow me under there on a creeper to access both the filter and oil drain plug. I rest the corner's weight on the stand, and I leave the jack in contact with the frame...redundant safety just in case. I could remove the stand while the oil drained I guess, but it seems to all drain out OK with this one corner slightly raised.

[AZhitman]

I still like my $30 Mobil-1 change at WalMart. You can't buy the oil for that price alone.

I stand IN the bay and monitor VERY closely, bring my own OEM filter and copper crush gasket, tip the tech $10 ahead of time, and so far I've gotten the same guy every time.

They respect the Q.

[VimyJ]

I've said it once, I'll say it again: I change my J's oil as it sits. Guess my arms are long enough to reach the drain plug and being left handed allows me to reach the oil filter from above. No jacks, stands or removal of engine shield necessary. Presto Chango!

[Q451990]

...but on my 90 Q, I perform it from above.

Drew,

Be careful with this method! The MAF Connector wasn't designed to be disconnected every three months. Many owners that use the "from the top" method have problems with the MAF connector, CAS, etc.

If it works for you - great, but it can certainly cause problems if someone more ham-handed gets in there and stresses those wires or bangs stuff around into the CAS!

Heath

[DrewQ45]

I don't have to disconnect the MAF. I just disconnect the hose and lay it aside with the wire still attached, no tension on the wire or anything and I'm not touching the plug. Been doing it this way since 98'.

Btw, every now and then I blast the MAF (the actual device behind the screen) with a little brake parts cleaner. I used to do this after every few oil changes especially back when I used the K&N air filter insert. I was concerned about oil molecues becoming dislodged from the filter and coating the MAF but now it's less of a concern since I switched back to OEM air filter.

...Drew...

[tpuig]

Z, just come by the DreamLot Garage. It's in Mountain View, right off 101 and 85 at Shoreline. Should cost only a couple bucks (about $20 or so) to put your new ride up on the lift there. Give you a good chance to check things out as well. Call Ben, 650-964-4699 and schedule an hour or two. He's there from noon until 10pm. I only live about 3 minutes from there, and would love to lend a hand if you like. TP

p.s. I still need to put the shocks on the '94Q there as well.

[elwesso]

I used ramps... Their SOLID wood, no way for them to fall down!!!

[Black94Jay]

Any recommendations on a good set of ramps? With the low front end clearance, I would need a brand that starts up gradually. Also, do you have any problem with exhaust tips bottoming out when front end is fully up on ramp? I see steel ones, some made out of some heavy plastic kind of material. What brand would give me a good safe, secure lift?:help

[elwesso]

I have a set of home made ones... Not portable but safe and fail-safe....

My uncle made them, and basically what they are are a set of boards stacked on top of each other... I think their 2x10s... Go in a stair step pattern, first one like 6ft, then 5ft, and so on until you have the desired clearance.... Clears the Q with room to spare, you could make a set for your car for about $15 and a few hours.... I will make a set sometime for my home useage.....

[Mr1der]

I have no problem with a floor jack and a good set of stands.

reckon I'm just not a paranoid nancy boy:D

you could always dig a pit in your backyard however, that'd be pretty sweet, or buy a lift(even sweeter, oh, and a rotisserie too:D)

[elwesso]

Dig a hole!!! That would be great, im sure that would go over well with the signifcant other!!!

That would be classic, this big executive guy getting into a hole to change the oil on his 50,000 car!!

[Nathan]

I spend quite a bit of time under my 240 with nothing but two jack stands under the subframe...I tested it first though by shaking it as much as my 220 lbs. would allow, it didn't fall off I see no problem crawling under a car on stands, but refuse to if it only has a jack holding it up.

[szh]

Hi!

Z, just come by the DreamLot Garage. It's in Mountain View, right off 101 and 85 at Shoreline. Should cost only a couple bucks (about $20 or so) to put your new ride up on the lift there. Give you a good chance to check things out as well. Call Ben, 650-964-4699 and schedule an hour or two. He's there from noon until 10pm. I only live about 3 minutes from there, and would love to lend a hand if you like. TP

p.s. I still need to put the shocks on the '94Q there as well.

I called Ben a couple of times last year and got a voice recording, so I left a message but did not hear back from him. I did not try him this time 'cause I did not see this post till just now, but I will give him a call again next time.

If I had had a lift or a ramp, I could have done it easily myself, but not otherwise. It is pretty much impossible to reach the filter from above on an M45 - too many things in the way. From below, it is easy once the flap in the engine shield is unscrewed, but because of the shield itself, it is not possible to look at where to reach, etc., without being underneath the car!

I just had the oil and filter changed about an hour ago at an independent garage just down the street from where I work. I brought the filter ($7) from the Infiniti dealer, 6 quarts of Castrol GTX 10W-40 ($11) and they charged me $15.99 (for a total cost to me of $33.99.) I got to oversee the work, and I am satisfied it was done right, and the price was good enough for now.

In the future, I think ramps will work for me! My garage is flat, but the driveway beyond is sloped just right, so I think a ramp on the driveway will keep the car level enough for it to drain okay, and the rear will not hit the ground, since the ramp slope will be on the driveway. Since I plan to do frequent oil changes, this may be worth it!

Thanks for all the comments, folks!

Z

[szh]

Dig a hole!!! That would be great, im sure that would go over well with the signifcant other!!!

No holes in my back yard, if I want to live that is!

Z

[VimyJ]

No holes in my back yard, if I want to live that is!

Z

Tell her you're going to put in that goldfish pond with the fountain that she's always wanted and then never get around to the fish or the fountain.

[Q451990]

I've actually thought about this before. I'm not sure how to pull it off without standing water... I guess a catch basin in the bottom and a sump pump? Maybe I should just put it in the garage - a concrete saw, dig a lot, and then make the walls and steps... that would be interesting for resale!

Heath