How easy is it to change the oil? Is the undercover easy to remove and put back? I just plunked down $56 to a dealer for my first oil change just to keep the car within warranty. Outrageous!!!! Next time I would like to buy the Subaru filter and change the oil myself.

 

Did that include a "lube" for yourself too??? Wow! That's a lot of coin for an oil change.. but you already know that. It is pretty darn easy to change the oil... check over at www.scoobymods.com for a step by step write up by peaty. You can do it yourself for 1/4 the cost. Good luck!

Rock

* edit for more info...

Here is a link to the instructions.
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3014

Make sure you grab a few crush washers from the dealer when you pick up your oil filters.

 

You didn't say what car, but the newer ones I can say are pretty easy. The scoobymods instructions are dead on, the whole thing took me less than an hour to do (not counting the 2 hours I let the car sit there dripping oil out).

Already had the ramps, floor jack, jackstands, oil wrench tho. If you don't already have a means to get the car up (well I guess you could squeeze under), that will be your investment.

I went to a lube shop and they quoted $50 for synthetic change. I picked up 5 quarts of Mobil 1 for $20 and an OEM filter and washer for $9.

It's worth it to do it yourself, plus knowing it's done right gives you more peace of mind

 

Just do it yourself. Its so simply and easy that its silly to have someone else do it. I can do it in about 15 mins.

 

its just time consuming but if you DIY you know whats going in and stuff...cause the dealer can tell you its syn but it may be just regular oil.

 

it's really not a good idea to have only one side jacked up for long periods of time. on stock suspension a low pro oil pan should fit underneath. if you are lowered, just pull up onto some pieces of 2x4. to make oil changes even easier and if you want to do away with crushwashers, get yourself a fumoto valve.

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

 

Hey Migs, i'd like to know why this isnt a good idea to keep the car jacked up for long periods of time. Im not seeing why this is a big issue? Not trying to undermine your point, just wanna know why.

Thanks!

- Ulysses

 

jack both front wheels, ok. both back wheels, ok. entire left, ok. entire right, ok. i guess what i'm referring to is just jacking up only one corner for an 'extended' period of time. i have heard stories of ppl snapping endlinks and other suspension bits due to the stress on the opposite side. in short, jack the one corner, do your business, lower. i'm just playind devil's advocate.

 

Subarus are the easiest cars I've ever changed oil on. The oil filter is right in front of you when you slide under the car, very easy to get to. God bless the boxer engine.

I had an '87 ford escort that was an absolute nightmare to change. The filter was on the side of the engine and behind a load of hoses and other parts.

 

I would not agree with my WRX being the easiest oil to change. I realize that the underpan there to protect parts of the engine but its such a pain to get out. I do like the fact that the filter is easy to reach though. After you get used to getting the underpan off its much easier to do. My first time doing it myself though took me forever to get those snap screws out.

 

??? no need to remove that whatsoever.

 

Do you have an '04? I think the '04 is different that the 02 and 03. I could not see an easy way to change the oil on my 04' without removing the plastic skid plate fliggy. A friend upgraded from an '02 sedan to an '04 wagon and was salty because he had to remove the skid plate to do his first oil change on the '04. He said the '04 is more of a pain in the *** than the '02 he had.