It is a major PAIN IN THE BUTTHOLE to do an oil change on the 350z. I didnt know there was a big plastic protective guard covering the oil filter. I didnt feel like taking off all the screws to get the plastic off, so I just unscrewed one and tried to bend the piece to gain enough access to unscrew the filter. I succeeded and got the oil change done, but it took almost an hour. BTW we used Castrol GTX 5w30 and the car had 1400 miles on the odo. Gonna go with Castrol again at 5000 miles and go with Mobil 1 beginning at 10k miles.

Sentra SE-R's oil filters is covered by a plastic cover that snaps in and out. no screws used and very easy to take on and off. wonder why the 350z isn't like that.. I'm NOT looking forward to the next oil change on this 350z roadster..

 

exactly why the dealer does mine. It's cheap, no work on my part and there's a record of it for warranty purposes (biggest reason).

Going to bring them Mobil1 syn next oil change

 

I dont know why unscrewing 12 or so bolts off would be such a PITA, but oh well. I guess some of us just enjoy taking the pleasure of working on our cars and seeing the goodies underneath the car. Plus the fact of not worrying about what the mechanic at the dealer has done to your car.

Ive done 3 changes and each every one only lasted about 20-30 minutes.

Probably if you would of just taken the cover off in the first place you might of saved time and hassle. Sometimes taking shortcuts might not always be the best solution...

 

I was thinking of taking Mobile 1 to the dealer for the next oil change. What are the odds that they actually put it in and the service tech doesn't just use normal oil and take my Mobile 1 home? I don't know why, but I just have a feeling that I'd buy the good oil and receive the normal oil.

Anybody have any suggestions on how to keep the Dealer honest?

Thanks

Andy

 

ctchfcn - Exactly the reason I change my own oil, so that I dont have to worry about any of that stuff.

I guess you can watch them when they work on your car or ask for the empty bottles after the change? Other than that, I dont know any other ways you can assure that Mobil 1 was put in.

 

haha. I think the techs could forget to put in the Mobil 1 that you brought, but I dont think they'll scam you out of your oil. I dont know. I have never brought any of my cars of any of family cars into the dealer for an oil change. We have 4 maximas in the family and now with the friend's 04 roadster, they all use the same oil filter. I buy oil and the filters in bulk !

 

That plastic pan is a good thing. It keeps the engine clean. I change my oil constantly and I have developed a good, quick 20 minute system. Here are my tips:

TOOLS:
14mm bench wrench
Filter wrench or other sufficient wrench
Cordless drill with phillips head bit and variable torque setting

1. Ramp front on RhinoRamps (available at Advance Autoparts, work with Z).
2. Use cordless drill and phillips bit to quickly remove all screws holding plastic pan.
3. Loosen drain plug with 14mm bench wrench
4. Drain oil into reservior
5. Remove filter with filter wrench or equiv.
6. While oil drains, check coolant, brake, clutch, steering, and windshield fluids.
7. Replace drain plug and apply new filter
8. Refill oil.
9. wait 2 minutes.
10. start and test pressure level.
11. Replace under engine pan with cordless drill and phillips bit.
12. Remove from ramps.

The really trick to speeding up the process is to recognize that you must remove the pan and do so with a power tool. With a cordless drill that has a torque setting, you can ensure you do not strip any bolts. A phillips head bit is common, but not preferred. I use a 3/8 ratchet pit with my 10mm shallow socket. Hope this helps.

The dealer might be faster and easier, but it is not cheaper and they do not love or care for my car like I do. Do you think that their oil monkey would have any consideration for the torque spec on the drain plug. Nope, they just tighten it.

 

Forgot one thing. When you do your own oil, you have to do something with the old oil. No, putting it in the old bottles and chucking it does not count.

Bottle it up and take it to one of those Jiffy Lube places. They will let you pour it into their collection pan and it will get recycled, for free. If they reject the request, which they never do, remind them that they get money for every gallon they recycle.

 

The quick change place near me takes my oil. I just bring the tank I use (it is one of the flat tanks that is both a catch basin and storage tank). They empty it and even clean the thing off with spray cleaner for me!

Of course, I am putting the oil tank in my Durnago. I am not sure I would risk putting 5 quarts of dirty oil in the trnuk of my roadster.

 

$20 at the dealer in under 30 minutes, and they wash the Z every time I take it in....

 

Oil change in the 350 is easy in comparison to my B-13 SE-R. The oil filter in the SE-R is sideways and accessibility is next to nil. I have to use a hammer and a screwdriver to loosen the oil filter -- m e s s y.

I use a drill w/ a socket attachment and low torque to quickly remove / install the screws to the plastic tray.

Michael.

 

older gen maximas are the same way, if i remember right, the first oil change i did to my 92 SE I took the plastic guard off... I know its not the best idea to leave it off, but I have left it off 2-3 years and it has been fine... makes changing the oil take less then 15 minutes... with most of that time just waiting for it to drain, and then filling it up.

 

>>I have to use a hammer and a screwdriver to loosen the oil filter -- m e s s y.

HaHa...I forgot all about that. The HP4 filter used to glue itself to my Camaro, and I used to do the exact same trick........punch a screwdriver through the filter and use it as a "T" handle.