Why aren't you changing your own oil?

[AZ_Ryan]

Pre-filling filters is quite impossible on some cars... they are mounted sideways or even upside down!

Exactly. This is something ive brought a few up but seems to get ignored. The angle you need to hold the filter to re-attach on the S650 makes pre-filling the filter almost impossible with out spilling. I asked my moble to tech to do it and he showed me how hard it is, especially if the car isnt on a lift

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[AZ_Ryan]

@AZ_Ryan ..... you might be interested in a video on this subject by "The Oil Geek". I believe it would be worth your time. I had high performance Mercury Marine racing engines. I had a number of discussions with Mercury Racing about breaking them in and maintenance. Pre-filling the oil filters was sop. The racing engines my family used to build all came with pre-fill sop. I fail to understand why anyone wouldn't do this as it takes less than 10 seconds to do. I do it twice - let it soak into the filter media then re-fill the core.

Ive seen it. Again, I not saying you shouldn't do it. Im sayin on most modern engines its not doable and just isnt a big deal with modern synthetics. The coyote isnt comparable to a marine engine. Have you ever changed the filter on your own S650?

 

[Sofa King]

I still fill the filters that are upright... but I have a couple cars at 90 degree angle and one that's upside down! They make a big enough mess taking them off when full...

 

[robvas]

Just jack the car up from one side!

 

[LouG]

You can't pre fill VW EA888 filters, they're upside down and replaceable elements.
Something else I like about doing my own servicing is having a good look around under there to see if there's anything amiss before it becomes a problem.

 

[ChitownStang]

Every time I do an oil change on my DH I try to grab the filer from the side without removing the under tray… have not been successful yet but I’ll try again in a month, certainly would be a cheat code but can’t get the leverage plus oil will spill everywhere.
Sometimes I drill a 1/8” hole in filter to drain it before removing.
Also a mess
wtf!
lol

 

[Westphal]

Our minivans had the filter mounted sideways, so I'd only fill the new filter halfway and spin it on quick enough that the oil stayed in the filter. My previous and current cars all had the filter mounted vertically, so I've always filled them up for peace of mind.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

I don't trust the dealer. Maybe partially but no one's going to treat your car as good as you will. Like others I like being under my car to see what's going on. Periodic visual inspections go a long ways to maintaining your vehicle. Oil changes are not a big deal. Ramps or jacks and a small plastic bag. Dewalt screwdriver and a small number of spare push pins in case one breaks occasionally. We have a recycle yard here in town that takes oil, tranny fluid, etc. I typically pre-fill my filters too. If the angle's bad I just won't fill it all the way. Getting underneath the car lets me look at bushings, suspension, tires, exhaust and so much more. I'll continue to do my own maintenance until I'm not physically capable.

 

[MAT1955]

@Sofa King ...... respectfully disagree. Even with some marine racing engines that have upside down remote oil filters you can pre fill once with enough oil to at least saturate the oil filter media and in many cases even add a bit more.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

If you're using a high quality full synthetic like Mobil 1 you could literally drain the oil out, drive to the store, leave it running while you run in for your oil change supplies, and drive it back home without any damage. I wouldn't recommend it but there are plenty of stories of kiddos driving long distances sans oil and/or coolant and the synthetic oil coating saving them.

That being said even using Mobil 1 I put some oil in the filter before I screw it on; it's a 45 degree angle so not a lot but still.

Absolutely not.

The moment you put any load on the motor, you will cause damage to every bearing surface. You'll be lucky if you make it a quarter mile down the road before permanantly scarring your main bearings and rod bearings.

 

[Illini4]

I've always done oil changes myself until recently. Two factors have caused me to have my dealer do the oil changes on my S650 Mustang GTs. The first is my age (81). The second is the ridiculous number of fasteners that have to be removed to access the drain plug and filter.

 

[LarryOS650]

The documentation process is too much of a PIA if I end up having a warranty issue, and I don't want any hassles from Ford. Will reconsider after warranty expires if I have access to a lift, since lying on my back in the garage no longer appeals to me.

 

[MidwayJ]

Dealership changes my oil. It's fast and efficient. I use the ford filter (Wix) and Ford oil - super high quality .... (Conoco + S-Oil additives) - FULL synthetic and pre-fill the oil filter, can't get better oil or filter anywhere. I then have a record of the changes on Oasis for future trade/resale. I don't have to wrestle with the wind deflection pan or worry about a mess and disposal. It's just not worth my time.

I have the dealer do my oil changes (full synthetic) for the same reasons. I've done my own in the past but I'm older now and have no tolerance for removing belly pans. Unless it's a one time deal like installing a nice new splitter, lol.

 

[LouG]

Absolutely not.

The moment you put any load on the motor, you will cause damage to every bearing surface. You'll be lucky if you make it a quarter mile down the road before permanantly scarring your main bearings and rod bearings.

There have been some funny vids of people draining the oil on some old POS cars and seeing how long they run. It's really amazing, but it is usually not under load.

 

[JPW65]

I have always done my own oil changes etc. since I've been a tech for 40 years. My job working for a City Fleet doesn't give me access to a lift anymore. When I got the DH, they had an oil change package, so for the next three years it goes to the dealer. We'll see after that.

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