Oil Change Procedure

[Indiana Hemi]

Hi Everyone,

I just did a search for "Oil Change" and a whole bunch of discussions came up about when to change the oil and what oil to use and I even saw that our cars take up to 7 quarts of OIL which I didn't know but I didn't see anything about a "How to" change your own oil. I guess it's not rocket science but I just wondered if someone can give me some hints or tips what to watch out for. I didn't jack up the car yet and probably will just run it up some ramps and change the oil.

Do you have to remove the plastic bottom shield? I assume you do but don't know for sure.

How easy or difficult is it to get to the Oil Filter? Is it easy to get off?
What wrench works best on it?

Is the Oil drain plug a magnetic plug or should I get one with a magnetic tip to catch metal particles the oil filter misses?

Thanks for all your advice! It is greatly appreciated!

Tom in Indy

[GoDaddy]

put her on stands for the front end. take of the plastic shield....it even says underneath that you need to take it off for oil change.

the oil filter is cake to get off. i mean real cake...just reach up on the right side of the vehicle (if your head is facing toward the rear of the car) and i did mine with my hand. tightened by hand also. (you can puncture the oil filter on the bottom to get all of the oil out but i just prefer to twist it off and bring it down.

once you have the plastic shield down the oil pan is right in front of you...can't remember what metric wrench.....15 or 13...i can't remember.

it takes right at 7 quarts and i have just started using mobil 1 5w-20 (synthetic).

i think that about does it....it's too easy. now go knock it out. i think i hit everything. oh and i would drop the oil first and then do the filter (this might be obvious but i will say it anyway)

[Indiana Hemi]

Hey Thanks GoDaddy I will give it a shot after work tomorrow.
I have 0w40 Mobil One which I know isn't the recommended oil for this car because it will mess up the MDS etc, etc... but I will give it a try and see what happens. I don't think my gas mileage can get any worse than it already is. (Right at 13 mpg average city and highway).. So what do I have to loose

Thanks for your help!

PS: Did you ever get a soundclip recorded off your Borla Exhaust?

[NECharger]

Some people have found the filter on very tight from the factory. For example...

http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/...8&page=1&pp=10

I've done mine twice. The first time it was a little difficult to break loose. I use the oil filter wrench that hooks up to a socket wrench. Have fun!

[slickrick]

Here's my procedure: Go to Advance Auto buy k/n oil filter and 7 quarts Mobile 1 5w20 synthetic, go across the street to express oil change , hand the bag to the greasy guy
along with 24 bucks, .... Wait 5 minutes and drive home .....clean ....

[a14umbra]

This thread has been hanging out here for over 7 hours with no input from Mr. Moparwrench, PACharger!

[PaCharger]

i've yet to try running this car on oil...by diesels do...but i figgered i'd keep changin out the 93 octane for now...LMAO


actually, first two changes are done by the dealership...so i havent been under the car for this one....yet.. good advice though by Scott.

[OoTLink]

The oil change is easy, but you'll probably be cussing after doing a tune up.

[tramp]

changed my oil a while ago. filter is vertical and in a tough spot to get to . only way is to use a filter wrench on bottom, filter was very tight, stripped the plastic wrench i had used for years, once that was done all was a piece of cake. good to see some of us still do our own changes.

[cuda1965]

I have been doing my own oil changes on my other cars for a while now. Part of the deal I got with my charger was for free oil changes for as long as I own the car. So I might not be doing my own now.

-Alex