How to change your engine oil

From Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

Template:Engine

If you have not completed your first oil change yet, but plan on doing it yourself and are maybe new at working on your own car, here is what you'll need. It's really pretty easy. If you've changed your oil already, please ignore - you are a veteran.

By: WayneTN

What is needed

This section covers the items that you'll need to have for the work.

1. Five quarts of oil - I used 5W-30 Pennzoil (API Service SL) that I bought at Walmart in a 5-qt. jug for $6.88. This is a great value at only $1.38/qt. I've used Pennzoil in all of my vehicles (except motorcycles) for many years - I think it's great oil - or maybe I just like the yellow bottles. I could have used 10W-30 since it's warm in Tennessee, but I bought more than one jug so I just got the same viscosity for all, 5W-30. You can use a synthetic such as Mobil 1 if you like; please do your own research before you decide, though.

2. New oil filter - Based on guidance from Intrepid, I used a K&N Performance Gold oil filter, part #HP-1008. I agree that these are extremely well made and should provide excellent service. Since the Z oil filter isn't very big anyway, don't skimp here. The K&N filters cost me $9.94 each. Not everyone will have these in stock, so ask around; they may need to order them for you or you can get them online for about the same price.

3. Ramps - After reading about ramps on this site, I bought the Rhino Ramps. They have a 17 degree angle-of-rise and are advertised as being suitable for trucks and sports cars. They worked great for me. The Rhino Ramps were $29.84.

4. Creeper - It's easier to scoot around under the car if you have a creeper, but certainly not essential. Inexpensive ones run $20-25.

5. Tools, etc. - One 3/8" drive ratchet (or cordless driver), one 10 mm. socket, one 14 mm. socket, one standard screwdriver, oil drain pan, new oil plug washer.

6. Oil filter wrench - You need to get the original Nissan oil filter off. I used a "cup type" wrench for exact fit. If you get this type, you will need a 65 mm. 14 flute cup. The filter is approx. 2-1/2" in diameter and many wrenches are larger. One that fits makes the job "no hassle".

The procedure

This section covers some tips on actually doing the job.

1. Preparing for the job - Get all of the stuff listed in Oil Change 101 plus your Z (duh). (The engine should be warmed up.) Put the car up on the ramps after reading all safety precautions. I had great success with the Rhino ramps. I just made sure the wheels were straight, positioned the ramps straight, and went up very slowly, stopping just as soon as I got to the level area at the top (don't overshoot! ).

2. Remove the underpanel - Using the ratchet (or cordless driver for speed) and 10 mm. socket, remove all 14 of the screws holding the black plastic underpanel, leaving the one rivet-type connector in the center of the panel. Then, as ares has stated previously, remove that connector with the standard screwdriver by prying up on the center (not the outer ring). The center will pop out some and you can then remove the whole connector and panel. This will take 3-5 minutes.

3. Drain the oil - Using the ratchet and 14 mm. socket, remove the drain plug, catching the used oil in the drain pan. (If you don't know where the drain plug is located, you need Oil Change - 001 written by others). Using the oil filter wrench, remove the original Nissan oil filter (some oil will drain from here, also). Remove the oil fill cap on top of the engine.

4. Install new filter & old drain plug - Clean the filter area with a clean rag or paper towel (especially where the new oil filter seal will contact, moisten the rubber filter seal on the new filter with a little fresh oil and screw on the new filter by hand, turning about 3/4 of a rotation after the seal contacts the base (read the instructions for your filter). Using a new drain plug washer and the 14 mm. socket and ratchet, screw in the old drain plug according to torque specs (it should basically be just fairly snug, but not over-tight which would strip the threads).

Note: If you use the K&N filter it will have a 1" hex nut on top of the filter to aid in filter removal. You probably will be able to remove it by hand the next time, but if not, it will be easy to get off using the hex nut. You obviously won't need the cup-type filter wrench that you used for removing the original Nissan filter.)

5. New oil - Pour in exactly 5 quarts of new oil. Trust me. It will take exactly 5 quarts. Attach oil fill cap.

6. Test and finish - Start the engine and check for leaks at the oil filter and drain plug. If OK, shut off and reattach underpanel by pushing in the rivet-type connector first then installing all 14 of the 10 mm. screws last. Slowly back off of ramp (so nose won't scrape), clean up, put up, and recycle the old oil.

That's it. Now wasn't that easy?