Having a Fun Time Changing Oil

Kathleen2 · 05-13-2006, 12:45 AM

The Prius is eaiest car I have ever owned to change the oil filter. Do you think I could do it without making a mess –NO!
First when removing the drain plug I get oil running down my arm. It is then I realize there is a hole in my disposable gloves. It is then I realize I forgot to take of my wedding ring.
Second I’m unable to remove the filter wrench from the filter. I finely get it off and splat! It falls into the waste oil. Now can’t get a grip on the filter because I have oil on and inside my gloves. I take the gloves off. I’m holding on to the bottom half of a plastic container to catch any oil or the filter if I should drop it (thus no mess –yea right). The oil is running down the side because the container is too small.
Third, I’m all thumbs now and they are covered with oil and I drop the filter in the waist oil – SPLASH! I’m now covered with oil.
I’m not done yet!
I install a Fumoto Valve so next time I won’t have such a mess – Yea right. I fill the oil filter 3/4 up with oil and screw it into place. No problem. It is at that time I realized I just kicked the open oil container over causing more of a mess.
Changing oil is so much fun

Kathleen

ghostofjk · 05-13-2006, 01:50 AM

You're all right, Kathleen. That silence you think you hear is actually a couple hundred of us nodding and rolling our eyes. Been there...

How long have you been doing your own oil changes?

You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes.

Also forgot to screw the oil filler cap back in many years ago. Then drove about 3o miles at high speed before I noticed the oil droplets hitting the windshield. "Funny looking rain," I sez.

I could go on...

Kathleen2 · 05-13-2006, 03:08 AM

How long have you been doing your own oil changes?

You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes.

I'm 60 and have been doing it on and off since 1962. Being taught by my Dad on a 52 Chevy. Other things I have done besides forgetting to put the oil cap on; I’ve forgotten to tighten the radiator cap (more than once). Pour oil and forgotten to put the oil plug in. Drive off and forget to pull the jack stand out. I forgot to tighten the lug nuts. Used transmission fluid instead of oil (really cleaned the head bolt.) Drained the transmission pan instead of the oil pan and so many more mistakes I do not remember.
The worst car was a Datson that had the filter in the back of the engine. I changed it once and never did it again. I had a Javlin once and the oil filter was over the axal. So it dripped oil for two weeks after changing the filter. I loved driving that car as it was like flying a plane with that bucket seat and coxpit wrapping around me. Yet, I never did speed with that car. I was going to buy a Monte Carlo but I got so mad at the dealer I went across the street and bought a brand new 1972 Javlin and made sure they saw me. When I got home I threw-up.
I was young and single then; now I'm old and gray.
Kathleen

Frank Hudon · 05-13-2006, 01:54 PM

I'm still laughing an hour after I first read your post...........Too funny!

daronspicher · 05-13-2006, 02:05 PM

I drive a nail (or a nail-set punch) through the bottom of the old filter. Pull it back out and let the oil from the filter drain into the pan before you take the filter off. That was my only mess point when I started changing the oil on the Prius.

Somehow, I can get the plug out without getting much oil on myself, so I'm down to a pretty clean process.

Anyone can kick the jug of oil over, that's just a bad day.

galaxee · 05-13-2006, 02:17 PM

this is why i have my husband just take the car to work with him

you can bet i know how to change oil in a car but it's much easier for him to bring the car to the shop and do it... (and frank, i know what you're going to say already, ok?

)

BellBoy · 05-13-2006, 03:02 PM

Speaking of the drain plug...I thought I saw someone on here that had a magnetic drain plug. Anyone have any experience with those? I seem to recall that it was Windstrings that had it...

richard schumacher · 05-13-2006, 03:48 PM

Kathleen2, did you remember to install a crush washer with the Fumoto valve? :-)

ghostofjk · 05-13-2006, 03:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]254645[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

How long have you been doing your own oil changes?

You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes.
I'm 60 and have been doing it on and off since 1962. Being taught by my Dad on a 52 Chevy. Other things I have done besides forgetting to put the oil cap on; I’ve forgotten to tighten the radiator cap (more than once). Pour oil and forgotten to put the oil plug in. Drive off and forget to pull the jack stand out. I forgot to tighten the lug nuts. Used transmission fluid instead of oil (really cleaned the head bolt.) Drained the transmission pan instead of the oil pan and so many more mistakes I do not remember.
The worst car was a Datson that had the filter in the back of the engine. I changed it once and never did it again. I had a Javlin once and the oil filter was over the axal. So it dripped oil for two weeks after changing the filter. I loved driving that car as it was like flying a plane with that bucket seat and coxpit wrapping around me. Yet, I never did speed with that car. I was going to buy a Monte Carlo but I got so mad at the dealer I went across the street and bought a brand new 1972 Javlin and made sure they saw me. When I got home I threw-up.
I was young and single then; now I'm old and gray.
Kathleen

I was right the first time: you're all right, Kathleen!

Is there a female poster on PC older than Kathleen who has changed/still changes her own oil?
[/b]

richard schumacher · 05-13-2006, 04:16 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kathleen2 @ May 13 2006, 02:08 AM) [snapback]254645[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I was young and single then; now I'm old and gray.
[/b]

Moral: don't get married.

05-13-2006, 01:50 AM	#2
ghostofjk Unrepentant Nattering Nabob of Negativism (V.P. Spiro T. Agnew) Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 981 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You're all right, Kathleen. That silence you think you hear is actually a couple hundred of us nodding and rolling our eyes. Been there... How long have you been doing your own oil changes? You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes. Also forgot to screw the oil filler cap back in many years ago. Then drove about 3o miles at high speed before I noticed the oil droplets hitting the windshield. "Funny looking rain," I sez. I could go on... __________________ Imagine the "Desiderata" here. Pointy-headed ex-hippie elitist liberal '04 silver, '06 red

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05-13-2006, 12:45 AM	#1
Kathleen2 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 80 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The Prius is eaiest car I have ever owned to change the oil filter. Do you think I could do it without making a mess –NO! First when removing the drain plug I get oil running down my arm. It is then I realize there is a hole in my disposable gloves. It is then I realize I forgot to take of my wedding ring. Second I’m unable to remove the filter wrench from the filter. I finely get it off and splat! It falls into the waste oil. Now can’t get a grip on the filter because I have oil on and inside my gloves. I take the gloves off. I’m holding on to the bottom half of a plastic container to catch any oil or the filter if I should drop it (thus no mess –yea right). The oil is running down the side because the container is too small. Third, I’m all thumbs now and they are covered with oil and I drop the filter in the waist oil – SPLASH! I’m now covered with oil. I’m not done yet! I install a Fumoto Valve so next time I won’t have such a mess – Yea right. I fill the oil filter 3/4 up with oil and screw it into place. No problem. It is at that time I realized I just kicked the open oil container over causing more of a mess. Changing oil is so much fun Kathleen

05-13-2006, 03:08 AM	#3
Kathleen2 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 80 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	How long have you been doing your own oil changes? You failed to mention black drips on the driveway/garage floor. Maybe you're smarter than me. I always say to myself, "no way am I going to get any on the driveway"---conveniently ignoring ther evidence provided by about one-third of my changes. I'm 60 and have been doing it on and off since 1962. Being taught by my Dad on a 52 Chevy. Other things I have done besides forgetting to put the oil cap on; I’ve forgotten to tighten the radiator cap (more than once). Pour oil and forgotten to put the oil plug in. Drive off and forget to pull the jack stand out. I forgot to tighten the lug nuts. Used transmission fluid instead of oil (really cleaned the head bolt.) Drained the transmission pan instead of the oil pan and so many more mistakes I do not remember. The worst car was a Datson that had the filter in the back of the engine. I changed it once and never did it again. I had a Javlin once and the oil filter was over the axal. So it dripped oil for two weeks after changing the filter. I loved driving that car as it was like flying a plane with that bucket seat and coxpit wrapping around me. Yet, I never did speed with that car. I was going to buy a Monte Carlo but I got so mad at the dealer I went across the street and bought a brand new 1972 Javlin and made sure they saw me. When I got home I threw-up. I was young and single then; now I'm old and gray. Kathleen

05-13-2006, 01:54 PM	#4
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I'm still laughing an hour after I first read your post...........Too funny!

05-13-2006, 02:05 PM	#5
daronspicher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,205 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I drive a nail (or a nail-set punch) through the bottom of the old filter. Pull it back out and let the oil from the filter drain into the pan before you take the filter off. That was my only mess point when I started changing the oil on the Prius. Somehow, I can get the plug out without getting much oil on myself, so I'm down to a pretty clean process. Anyone can kick the jug of oil over, that's just a bad day.

05-13-2006, 02:17 PM	#6
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south of lake Michigan Posts: 9,735 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 126 Times in 50 Posts Friends: 26	this is why i have my husband just take the car to work with him you can bet i know how to change oil in a car but it's much easier for him to bring the car to the shop and do it... (and frank, i know what you're going to say already, ok? )

05-13-2006, 03:02 PM	#7
BellBoy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 198 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Speaking of the drain plug...I thought I saw someone on here that had a magnetic drain plug. Anyone have any experience with those? I seem to recall that it was Windstrings that had it...

05-13-2006, 03:48 PM	#8
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,835 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 137 Thanked 191 Times in 122 Posts Friends: 0	Kathleen2, did you remember to install a crush washer with the Fumoto valve? :-)