i have a 2006 wrx, and i was wondering if there was anyone in san jose, bay area willing to help me and teach me to change my oil for the first time. ive done it at jiffy lube a couple times and from what ive heard from this site, it sucks. i pay $35 bucks to get my oil changed at jiffy, and id be more than willing to pay someone to teach me to do it myself. send me a private message if interested. thanks!

 

After typing everything out I realized you have an '06MY WRX these are the instructions for the '02MY WRX. Though I would imagine they should be pretty much the same...

Instructions should also be in your cars user manual...

Its pretty easy to do...

These are the instructions out of the 02MY WRX service manual.

Buy your oil (I like Mobil 1), filter, and a oil drain pan thingy (like $5 at Autozone, or Kragens)

Park your car on a level surface

Place drain pan underneath oil pan (directly under engine, you should see a big *** nut 19mm IIRC)

1) Drain the engine oil by loosening engine oil drain
Plug.

2) Open the engine oil filler cap for quick draining of
the engine oil. (yellow cap)

3) Remove the oil filter (you should be able to do it w/ your hands).

4) Get a new oil filter and apply a thin coat of engine
oil to the seal rubber.

5) Install the oil filter by turning it by hand, being
careful not to damage seal rubber.

6)-Tighten more (approximately 2/3 to 3/4 turn) after
the seal rubber contacts the oil pump case. Do
not tighten excessively, or oil may leak.

7) Replace the drain plug gasket.

8) Tighten the engine oil drain plug after draining
engine oil.
Tightening torque:
44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 fi-lb)

9) Fill the engine oil through filler pipe up to the upper
point on level gauge. Make sure that the vehicle
is placed level when checking oil level. Use engine
oil of proper quality and viscosity, selected in accordance
with the table in figure.

proper viscosity helps vehicle get good cold
and hot starting by reducing viscous friction and
thus increasing cranking speed.
NOTE:
When replenishing oil, it does not matter if the oil
to be added is a different brand from that in the engine;
however, use oil having the API classification
and SAE viscosity No. designated by SUBARU.
If vehicle is used in desert areas with very high
temperatures or for other heavy duty applications,
the following viscosity oils may be used:
API classification: SJ or SH
SAE Viscosity No.: 30, 40, 1OW-50, 2OW-40, 20W-
50

10) Close the engine oil filler cap.

11) Start the engine and warm it up for a time.

12) Turn engine off.

13) After the engine stops, recheck the oil level, and look for leaks.
If necessary, add the engine oil up to the upper level on level gauge.

14) Take the used oil to Kragens or Autozone, most of them (if not all of them) will take your old oil for free.

15) Enjoy not having to have someone else work on your car, buy a six pack and some pizza with the money you saved

:banana:

-jacob

Oh and here is a disclaimer... If you mess up your car its not my fault... bla bla bla

 

Great write up.
Avoid taking your car to Jiffy Lube at all costs.
Those people know nothing period.
Castol syntec blend or Mobil 1 seems to run well in my 04 WRX.

 

very informative, thanks!

how do i make sure im applying the right amount of torque? Tightening torque:
44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 fi-lb)

 

For the 06 you have to take off the plastic piece that is under the motor.
What I did was use two jack stands for the front and then went to work.
You will need to get a crush gasket and a new oil filter before starting. Refer to the owners manual for the exact amount of oil used. I think it is 5.2 quarts for the 06.

Keitatsu pretty much covers what to do once you start, its the same steps.

Be sure to use a good oil catch pan. The one I got at Kragen had a small opening on top, and about half the oil leaked out. Not fun. Make sure it has a sufficient opening on the top because the oil will drain quickly.
Also, I would reccomend Mobil 1 Full synthetic 5W-30 for a stock 06 or slightly modded 06.

Also, another noob mistake is not letting your car cool down. Let the car sit for a little while to let the oil cool as to not burn yourself. Good luck and enjoy that pizza.

 

You need a torque wrench, I just wing it and tighten it by feel though. Hell I don't even have a torque wrench (I do need one for other things on the car though...)

But I wouldn't recommend someone that hasn't done a lot of oil changes to do this.

 

Fumoto Oil Drain Valve ftw! Faster, easier, neater oil changes. No more dropped drain plug or drain plug washer (replacement no longer necessary) into hot oil drain pan.

Be sure to adhere to oil capacity listed in Owner's Manual. DO NOT OVERFILL! More is not better in factory oil pan but can lead to aeration of the oil, decreasing film strength across the bearing surfaces.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

I like to take my oil plug out so I can clean any grime off it that may collect (magnet on drain plug.

Plus my drain pan has a screen over the opening (coffee can sized opening) that catches the plug as it falls...

my .02