More Q Stuff

[jimbyjimb]

There is such a variety of knowledge on this site it's just amazing. The library is so huge I feel like I'm getting lost into it.

I've been in service mode on my new Q, so I thought I might share some of my favorite oil-change tips. I'm sure you could find these archived somewhere on this site, but I have things on my mind and I'm just bored right now.

I just bought supplies from CarQuest, which if any of you DIYers have visited, have probably found the best autoparts store, almost as good as a dealer in my experience. They carry all kinds of obscure things on-shelf, like Studebaker parts. Wierd. The parts-pros there are the most knowledgeable of any store I've ever been too, almost as good as or better than many dealer parts guys. All carquest branded fluids are made by Valvoline, my preference in fluids. I believe Valvoline also makes their filters, which are at least as good as Napa's. I just discovered CarQuest synthetic motor-oil today. I figured I'd give it a shot, the price is just un-beatable. I've been a Mobil-1 guy for a long time, they make a great product, but it IS expensive. So if any budget-minded DIYers (which is usually why we do it ourselves in the first place) are interested, I'll keep you up to date on the quality of this motor oil. It's only 3.88 a quart!

Another good tip is putting a magnet or magnets on the oil filter. The magnetic plugs are great too, but putting some fairly strong magnets on the oil filter really helps trap alot of metal from circulating and tearing up your piston skirts and bearings. If you do this, tear apart your filter and look at all the crap it traps. Ick.

Thankfully the Q filter is super-easy to get to. I could only see it being trouble if someone forgot to lube the seal or over-tightened it. Sears sells a filter wrench that attaches to your 3/8" ratchet that'll twist it right off with ease. Mac, Snap-on and Cornwell all have a similar type-wrench with longer fingers than the Craftsman, and it's better for all-around usuability as it also can grab filters with a larger diameter. The Sears tool is cheaper, but I prefer the Mac wrench since I work on a variety of vehicles. Personally, I usually don't tighten my filters very much and can usually break them free by hand.

I know there are many different opinions on filters out there, and across the board a filter is usually a filter. There are some who stand out, however, as making exceptional filters or exceptionally terrible filters. Never use a Fram. Total garbage. The best filters I've ever seen have been Baldwin filters, followed closely by Fleetguard. I haven't looked into Baldwins for Q's, but that doesn't sound like a market Baldwin or Fleetguard would be into. I'll have to research that. But if you want a damn good filter, buy a Baldwin. They're pretty much the standard in the heavy-duty industry. Napa makes good filters, I've had very good luck with CarQuest filters, I've used K&N's although a bit pricey and I hear good things about Wix. The only oil I try to stick away from is Pennzoil. We used that at the Dodge dealer and it turned black about 2 seconds after starting the car up. The best non-synthetic oil I've ever used has been Valvoline. As for synthetics, there are so many great brands, and it's just hard to go wrong with any synthetic. I'll keep you up on the CQ fluid.

[lino]

Why not just buy an OEM oil filter since it only costs $5.31?

I still use Mobil 1 Synthetic because I get it for free. (I redeem the points I accumulate at the service station for oil.) If I had to pay, I'd probably look into other brands.