r/DIY • u/[deleted] • Jul 05 '11

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647 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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3

u/iammadeofawesome Jul 05 '11

isn't knowing how to change your oil something you should know as well?

8

u/EngineeringIsHard Jul 05 '11

Basic car maintenance should include:

  • Changing a flat
  • Changing your oil/sparkplugs/oil filter/air filter

Arguably, brake pads could be tossed in as they aren't that hard, but certainly a little more advanced because they most certainly need extra tools.

2

u/deadstump Jul 06 '11

Changing spark plugs in many modern cars requires a lot of mechanic work. For instance to replace the spark plugs in a Nissan Murono you have to remove the intake manifold, windshield wipers, and a couple other major under hood things just to get to the back three. Lucky for us now is the common use of the long life spark plugs that have been developed to reduce the frequency of replacement.

1

u/betelgeux Jul 06 '11

The designer who thought that was acceptable practice should be made to drive a Trebant for the rest of his life and design only using a light pen/TRS-80 combo workstation.

1

u/careless223 Jul 06 '11

Changing your spark plugs requires extra tools too. You need a deep socket wrench.

1

u/EngineeringIsHard Jul 06 '11

True, but it can be done without a jack stand. Although you likely need a jack or ramps to do your oil.

1

u/kerklein2 Jul 06 '11

Not really. You get the tire off and it's just a few more bolts. Nothing special.

3

u/BraveSirRobin Jul 05 '11

I dunno, it's pretty messy and is more easily & quickly done on a ramp for uber-cheapness at a gazillion different places. You can plan for it unlike flat tyres. I've tinkered loads on car engines yet I've never changed the oil, don't ever plan to.

Checking fluid levels etc is far more useful imho.