my first oil change!

pdi180 · 03-19-2005, 06:08 PM

Yes I know... I am a nerd, but this is the first time i ever changed my own oil by myself. The FAQ by Unabomber came in handy. and after about 3 trips to autozone (I swear, luck was not with me, i kept on getting the wrong stuff 5-30, 10-40, and then finally 10-30.)

I checked my owners manual to find how much oil should be in it, and it said 4.2 quarts to be exact. so i picked up a fifth for insurance. I put in four, ran it for a while to warm it up, and when i checked it, it read a 1/2 quart too full. It kind of boggled my mind. I let it drain for a good long time. Is it just a strange variation? Or is it that i just need to let it run longer before i can get an accurate reading?

Thank you for your help
Paul

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Sober_One · 03-19-2005, 06:33 PM

Did you replace you're oil filter, or did you leave the old one in place?
The oil filter will hold about half a quart!

A half quart isn't going to matter too too much. I wouldn't let it bother you, just avoid it if possible.

BTW...
I use synthetic 5W30 all year round.
I prime my oil filter before I screw it into place and then add what ever is left in the 4 liter jug. I then let it sit for one minute. Then I start it up and immediately rev it to 2000 RPM for a good thirty seconds. Then I check for leaks and level and it is always bang on. (4 liters = 4.2 quarts)

OneOBS · 03-19-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sober_One

Then I start it up and immediately rev it to 2000 RPM for a good thirty seconds.

There's an incredibly poor practice. Wait until there's oil pressure, OK?

STi Guy 69er · 03-19-2005, 07:35 PM

Most subies do take 4.2 but sometimes it is to much don't ask why but ive had it happen to me to it turns out to be like .1 to much no worries. Ur not gonna blow any seals or screw ur engine up. U should be using 5-30 for ur subie. 10-30 is obsolete in new vehicles.

Sober_One · 03-19-2005, 07:40 PM

The oil filter is primed... And synthetic oil is used.

Everythig that requires oil is still well coated because it only takes 10 minutes to do an oil change.

My car revs immediately at 1500-RPM when it is cold, as per normal, after sitting all night. Do you really think there is oil pressure after sitting for 12 hours over night in the cold?

Please don't think I mean start it with you foot on the gas either. There is going to be enough time for oil pressure to build. It hardly takes any time at all for oil pressure to build up enough with clean oil and a new primed oil filter.

Please elaborate as to why immediately revving it to 2000-RPM after starting it is bad when an oil change has been performed?

I've always done this and I average 11 years or more out of the cars I've owned with no damage due to oil issues.

Not priming the oil filter and just starting is worse than what I believe you are trying to tell me. Not a single shop I know of primes oil filters but they all rev up the engines a bit once they have started it.

STi Guy 69er · 03-19-2005, 07:46 PM

Priming the oil filter won't hurt it but sitting there revving it for 30 seconds will. Starting it for 10 seconds works great for me. Whatever gets oil to the filter. Priming the oil filter works the same as diesels. U fill the oil filter before installing. Not gonna hurt it jus help it out more. U don't need to tho. Startin for 10 secs works jus fine. NO REVVING!

Sober_One · 03-19-2005, 07:52 PM

Then you are telling me that, Mr.Lube, Jiffy Lube, Canadian Tire, Bourk's Transmission and countless other shops I've been to in the past are wrong?

Furthermore, how do I manage to get 11 years out of an engine if I and all the shops I've mentioned above are doing something wrong?

STi Guy 69er · 03-19-2005, 07:57 PM

First of all if ur taking ur car to those shops ur gettin ppl who only know how to take off a filter put on a new one. Read a book and put in as much oil as it tells them. Its not gonna hurt it to start it up and give the pedal a kick but revving it for 30 secs is jus insane and pointless. The oil pump can get the oil to the filter within in 10 secs and u will get accurate oil readings on the dipstick. Ur way will work but why do it? Once again MR. LUBE and JIFFY LUBE are some bad places to take ur car for an oil change. They check nothing and for some reason have an obsession with puttin plastic drain plug gaskets on ur car when u have a perfect metal one. I work a subie dealership and and there is the NR lube down the street and 200 hundred times ppl come to us because there car is leaking oil or is not properly filled. So thats my $.02

OneOBS · 03-19-2005, 08:10 PM

I think there's a thread down in the Service & Maintenance forum where people timed how long it took for the oil pressure light to go out after changing the oil. It didn't matter if you filled the oil filter or not - it takes the same amount of time to build pressure. Its also longer than simply starting a cold engine without the oil change.

I've always changed the oil when its warm. Not only does it contain more suspended matter because its warm, but the engine doesn't jump to 1500 RPM after the oil change either. The best practice is to keep your foot off the gas pedal after an oil change.

03-19-2005, 06:08 PM	#1
pdi180 Scooby Newbie Member#: 77540 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha NE Vehicle: 2002 Legacy L Sedan Silver	my first oil change! Yes I know... I am a nerd, but this is the first time i ever changed my own oil by myself. The FAQ by Unabomber came in handy. and after about 3 trips to autozone (I swear, luck was not with me, i kept on getting the wrong stuff 5-30, 10-40, and then finally 10-30.) I checked my owners manual to find how much oil should be in it, and it said 4.2 quarts to be exact. so i picked up a fifth for insurance. I put in four, ran it for a while to warm it up, and when i checked it, it read a 1/2 quart too full. It kind of boggled my mind. I let it drain for a good long time. Is it just a strange variation? Or is it that i just need to let it run longer before i can get an accurate reading? Thank you for your help Paul * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-19-2005, 06:33 PM	#2
Sober_One Scooby Newbie Member#: 83322 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Sylverthorn	Did you replace you're oil filter, or did you leave the old one in place? The oil filter will hold about half a quart! A half quart isn't going to matter too too much. I wouldn't let it bother you, just avoid it if possible. BTW... I use synthetic 5W30 all year round. I prime my oil filter before I screw it into place and then add what ever is left in the 4 liter jug. I then let it sit for one minute. Then I start it up and immediately rev it to 2000 RPM for a good thirty seconds. Then I check for leaks and level and it is always bang on. (4 liters = 4.2 quarts)

03-19-2005, 07:35 PM	#4
STi Guy 69er Scooby Newbie Member#: 82648 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Medicine Hat Vehicle: 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS Black	Most subies do take 4.2 but sometimes it is to much don't ask why but ive had it happen to me to it turns out to be like .1 to much no worries. Ur not gonna blow any seals or screw ur engine up. U should be using 5-30 for ur subie. 10-30 is obsolete in new vehicles.

03-19-2005, 07:40 PM	#5
Sober_One Scooby Newbie Member#: 83322 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Sylverthorn	The oil filter is primed... And synthetic oil is used. Everythig that requires oil is still well coated because it only takes 10 minutes to do an oil change. My car revs immediately at 1500-RPM when it is cold, as per normal, after sitting all night. Do you really think there is oil pressure after sitting for 12 hours over night in the cold? Please don't think I mean start it with you foot on the gas either. There is going to be enough time for oil pressure to build. It hardly takes any time at all for oil pressure to build up enough with clean oil and a new primed oil filter. Please elaborate as to why immediately revving it to 2000-RPM after starting it is bad when an oil change has been performed? I've always done this and I average 11 years or more out of the cars I've owned with no damage due to oil issues. Not priming the oil filter and just starting is worse than what I believe you are trying to tell me. Not a single shop I know of primes oil filters but they all rev up the engines a bit once they have started it.

03-19-2005, 07:46 PM	#6
STi Guy 69er Scooby Newbie Member#: 82648 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Medicine Hat Vehicle: 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS Black	Priming the oil filter won't hurt it but sitting there revving it for 30 seconds will. Starting it for 10 seconds works great for me. Whatever gets oil to the filter. Priming the oil filter works the same as diesels. U fill the oil filter before installing. Not gonna hurt it jus help it out more. U don't need to tho. Startin for 10 secs works jus fine. NO REVVING!

03-19-2005, 07:52 PM	#7
Sober_One Scooby Newbie Member#: 83322 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Sylverthorn	Then you are telling me that, Mr.Lube, Jiffy Lube, Canadian Tire, Bourk's Transmission and countless other shops I've been to in the past are wrong? Furthermore, how do I manage to get 11 years out of an engine if I and all the shops I've mentioned above are doing something wrong?

03-19-2005, 07:57 PM	#8
STi Guy 69er Scooby Newbie Member#: 82648 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Medicine Hat Vehicle: 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS Black	First of all if ur taking ur car to those shops ur gettin ppl who only know how to take off a filter put on a new one. Read a book and put in as much oil as it tells them. Its not gonna hurt it to start it up and give the pedal a kick but revving it for 30 secs is jus insane and pointless. The oil pump can get the oil to the filter within in 10 secs and u will get accurate oil readings on the dipstick. Ur way will work but why do it? Once again MR. LUBE and JIFFY LUBE are some bad places to take ur car for an oil change. They check nothing and for some reason have an obsession with puttin plastic drain plug gaskets on ur car when u have a perfect metal one. I work a subie dealership and and there is the NR lube down the street and 200 hundred times ppl come to us because there car is leaking oil or is not properly filled. So thats my $.02

03-19-2005, 08:10 PM	#9
OneOBS Scooby Specialist Member#: 63076 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caulifornia Vehicle: 2004 Outback Sport Red!	I think there's a thread down in the Service & Maintenance forum where people timed how long it took for the oil pressure light to go out after changing the oil. It didn't matter if you filled the oil filter or not - it takes the same amount of time to build pressure. Its also longer than simply starting a cold engine without the oil change. I've always changed the oil when its warm. Not only does it contain more suspended matter because its warm, but the engine doesn't jump to 1500 RPM after the oil change either. The best practice is to keep your foot off the gas pedal after an oil change.