Oil change - do it yourself it's so easy

[Zing]

Did the first oil change for my H2 today (6,000 miles, while my indicator still said I had 26% oil life )). Soooo easy. Here are a few pointers for the less experienced.

1. What you need: 6 quarts of 5W-30, oil filter, tool to loosen/tighten filter, wrench (15mm or adjustable), tin foil, container for old oil, funnel, lots of rags, 1/2 hour.

2. What you don't need: to jack up the H2, or remove underbody protection.

3. Drive around the block a couple times first (my dad always told me this stirs up any particles settling on the bottom). But don't change your oil after driving over 5 miles. Oil will be scaulding hot (and you will be touching it).

3. Put down rags and the container w/funnel in place. Hard to find a container that holds 6 quarts and fits under the H2. The plastic container for "Tidey Cat" kitty litter works perfectly with a funnel on top. Otherwise use a bucket.

4. Loosen the oil plug nut SLOWLY. Since the hole faces sideways (not down) oil shoots out 6 inches and winds up skimming off the funnel all over. When the nut is ready to come out, keep it there to regulate. After a quart comes out, you can remove the nut completely and let it drain. Put the nut back on.

5. Next remove the oil filter, and be aware that over a pint of oil will spill. Simple solution. Take one foot of tin foil and cover what's next to and under the filter and shape the foil so it funnels the spillage into your container. Loosen the filter (need the tool designed for this), let it drain, then remove it and put it in a rag to dispose. Put the new filter on and tighten.

6. Open the hood, look for the cap that says oil/5W-30, put in your 6 quarts and your done.

I remember my dealer telling me changing oil on an H2 costs $160 because it requires removing the underbody protection, which is bullsh#t. See the picture. $10 and 1/2 hour work beats $30-$160 and waiting around for service on my day off.