For the first time, I’m doing my own oil change on my WRX this weekend. I’ve lived in Apartment complexes and have never had a good way to change oil myself, so have always paid shops to do it. I have a few questions about changing the oil, and switching to synthetic…

Is this the correct procedure for changing oil?:
1. place oil pan under car
2. open drain valve and drain all oil into pan
3. Remove and replace oil filter
4. Close drain valve
5. Fill engine up with correct amount of oil

Also, I would like to switch to Mobil 1 10W-30 synthetic. Do I have to do anything special in my transition oil change from conventional to synthetic oil like flush some extra oil through after draining?

What brand Oil Filter should I use? I’ve heard something about an extra washer or something that needs to be replaced as well… is that true? If so, what is it called, and what brands are the best?

And here’s the big newbie question of the day… Where is the Oil Filter, what does it look like, and how do I remove/replace it? Like I said, I’m new to changing oil, and want to get off to a good start.

I am grateful for any help you guys can provide. Thanks!

 

buy a fumoto valve

www.fumotovalve.com

-Gagan

 

Do you have a Fumoto valve? Does it work like it's supposed to?

 

The oil drain valve works great. I've had one on 4 of my scoobies and love it.

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169

More oil change info:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3014

 

i plan to start doing my own oil changes so i can switch to synthetic.

just got my fumoto oil valve yesterday, and i also bought a case of oem filters.

all i need is my box of 5w-30 mobil 1, and 1,000 miles more on my car.

good luck, have fun

 

A very important step that is overlooked many times is lubing the oil filter before you put it on. Just dip your finger in oil and coat the seal on the oil filter. If you dont it could dry out and crack, causing an oil leak.

Also, you may want to have someone who has changed oil in there car before to help you the first time. You dont want to strip out your oil plug or not have it tight enough. Theres plenty of other easy to make mistakes that you could make without the right knowledge. Im not trying to scare you into not doing it, just suggesting that someone with experience help you the first time.

You will see how easy it is after you have done it, but you will be nervous the first time.

 

I think it's also important to pre fill the oil filter with as much oil as possible before installing. We are lucky we can do this because of the way it is situated. At least on the 4 cyl, you can't on the H6.

 

i did my first oil change on my wrx yesterday...easiest oil change ever! used the subaru oem filter and mobil 1 5w30..and an oem crush washer

 

what is the easiest way to pry off the crush washer? it is stuck there pretty good.

 

Since the oil filter on the WRX is placed directly beneath the engine such that oil can drain down into it, is it safe to say that filling the oil filter at the time of installation with oil is not as neccessary as on other cars such as the H6?

I'm thinking, the way I pour oil into the engine it takes me a couple minutes, I think pre-filling the oil filter is not as crucial on wrx as long as some oil has been allowed to seep down through the engine to the filter over a couple minutes time.

 

When you pour the fresh oil in through the filler it goes right down into the oil pan and stays there until the pump sucks it up. The filter doesn't get filled until the engine starts and the oil pump pressurizes the system. So, it is an excellent idea to pre-fill the filter before installing it so the engine will have almost instantaneous oil pressure on the first post-oil change start.
For the maximum benefit, pour some oil into the filter, wait a minute while it soaks into the filter media and the level drops, then pour in some more. Don't fill it all the way to the top or it will overflow when you screw it on because the threaded mounting pipe will displace some of the oil.

 

The best way to get the first crush washer off is to use the blade of a pocket knife or small flat blade screwdriver. I have some detailed pics in my oil change link above.

 

i used my smallest screwdriver to pry it off...just be patient and careful