fpena944

If you use a ratchet socket and put on some cheap vinyl gloves you shouldn't get burned.

I prefer to drain my oil while HOT just in case any of the deposits harden with the cooling of the oil and don't drain completely. Just my personal preference but not based on any real evidence of a difference.

AndyK

Isn't 0w-40 like water? Does it actually flow slowly when cold?

Macster

Last oil change I used Castrol Syntec 5w-50 oil. On sale at $4.99/quart. Took oil with car to local Porsche dealership service department and had oil change done at dealership. (I was in a time bind and car was due for an oil change before I could find time to do it myself.)

Sincerely,

Macster.

Dave!

I've managed to spill a bit of operating temp. oil just about every time I've changed it. If you're wearing those cheap blue shop gloves it'll just feel warm, won't bother you at all.

Motor oil is just bad at transferring heat. It may be very hot, but most of it slicks right off and what's left behind doesn't have the heat to hurt you. I think motor oil has about a quarter the thermal conductivity of regular old water.

Dharn55

I used to use a drain pan like the ones shown, with a "catch basin" and a small hole in it to drain the oil into the actual tank of the pan. Always spilled the oil as the oil drained out of the engine far faster than it would go through the samll hole. Bought a new drain pan that is open at the top and has a spout to pour out the oil. Never have a problem with spilling oil now. Once drained I put the oil into a 5 gallon pail from Home Depot. This way I can change the oil on the Porsche, or our other cars a couple of times, then take it to the local Jiffy Lube where they will accept used oil. AutoZone will also take it.

AndyK

What's the best tips to avoid spilling oil all over the place?

Macster

Mobil 1 0w-40 oil not quite as good in the spec department as some other oils.

Has been ok for thousands of miles but I drive my car (02 Boxster, currently with over 227K miles on it) alot and never short trips and change the oil/filter every 5K miles. Another car owner who takes shorter trips more frequently or wants to run more miles between oil changes might not be ok with Mobil 1 0w-40 oil.

Based on my unscientfic observations any oil: Mobil 1 0w-40, Mobil 1 15w-50, Mobil 1 5w-50, Mobil 1 10w-40 high mileage, Mobil 1 5w-40 (used in my VW TDi) and Mobil 1 5w-30 (used for awhile in my '06 GTO); all run like water when drained hot from engine.

Cold I don't know how they flow, but I believe they all flow ok. I note even with 15w-50 oil in my Boxster a year or two while I lived in the mid-west never caused any problems, even in cold cold weather starting and driving. I used this oil early on after I first bought the car new and this engine has over 227K miles on it and still runs great so even 15w-50 oil in cold weather apparently did it no harm.

However, I'd not advise 15w-50 be used in cold temperatures. You really should try to stick with a mutli-viscosity grade of oil that matches up well with the low temperatures experienced in where you live and drive.

My Boxster's engine has run more miles on 0w-40, 15w-50, and 10w-40 than most engines have run on any one oil and my Boxster's engine has suffered no apparent ill effects based on how well it continues to run.

My '03 Turbo is currently running Castrol Syntec 5w-50 oil.

Sincerely,

Macster.

buzztt

where did you get the pan ?

Pac996

Break the plug loose then set things up for draining. You can start with just a rag under where the oil will hit while using a wrench. Finish unscrewing after having the waste oil receiver lined up. Oil doesn't spew out just because the threads have been loosened and drips are few if any.

AndyK

Looks like Autozone sells them for under $10!

medtech

Put down a plastic or canvas drop cloth, and use any large opening catch pan.
The last tip is to push the bolt up while you loosen it, that way when it's free you can quickly move out of the way, and the oil shoots straight down, instead of spraying all over like a water *****.

C4CRNA

It's a dirty job! If you save $150 then you can buy a nice dinner and forget about your burns on your arms.
You will have bonded with your car and it's a good feeling.

Torontoworker

1. I use ramps for the car,
2. I cover my oil catch pan with nylons from the wife's drawer so I can spot any debris and catch the plug if I drop it.
3. Make sure you fill up the filter housing with oil first, then slowly drop the filter into the oil, let it soak up some oil, add more if you need too before raising the housing and oil filter up to the intake boss.
4. Make sure you lubed the O ring on the housing before hand and never roll the O ring on the housing - place it around the groove to prevent a twist in the rubber that can cause a sealing issue.
5. Buy a small bag of cat litter if you don't already own a cat - for emergency oil spill clean up!
6. I take my used oil to our local transfer station where they take it off my hands for recycling for no charge.
7. I pull out my lawn chair, fire up a cigar, pop a brew and put some Floyd on.

Edgy01

To keep from making a mess when you change oil just recycle a 5-gallon paint can (plastic). Cut it down to the height needed and no more to fit under the car. Beats those silly little things designed for a car with 4-6 qts.

AndyK

Good tips, thanks!

I just looked at my last Indy oil change receipt. Aside from being charged $12 a quart for the oil, I was charged a $40 service fee, $33 for a Porsche filter, $12 for oil disposal. Total was over $200! That was 2 years back, I must have been richer then. No more. I'm doing it myself in the spring!!