first oil change

[bcr4d]

I'm preparing for my 1st oil change and am wonder how many quarts of oil does my engine hold to top off to the full mark. My car is an 88 cab. Thanks in advance

[dan79brooklyn]

9-10 quarts I think. You can drain the oil into a BIG pan and try to figure out how much you drained and then refill.
Lot's of entertaining threads on oil changes. Most important thing is the big oil drain pan. The oil filters can sometimes be difficult to get off.
My first oil change I had to resort to the screwdiver through the oil filter technique which was a bit messy.

[CarreraDan]

Get a big pan (15 quarts) and be ready for a mess just in case. I always put in 9 quarts, drive the car and get it up to temp, then recheck with the engine running and on level ground. Most of the time I add 1/2 to 3/4 quart and it is inbetween the high and low mark on the dipstick. Remember that your oil level guage may or may not be accurate.

As for the oil filter, get one of the sockets that fit over the end of it--they work much better than the strap wrenches. Also, if you have large hands and forarms put the air filter on before you put the oil filter back on, it gives you more room to snap the rear clips. Good luck and if you make a mess you won't be the first.

[S2GART]

What does your owner's manual say to put in? My SC takes 11 qts. Most of my oil comes out of the tank, but there is some still in the sump. I don't know if your engine has a drain plug for the sump.

[ChemMan]

There is a lot of oil......a lot of oil.
Mike

[Super_Dave_D]

What CarreraDan says - put in 9qts and bring it up to temp then check and add as need and again - with the engine running.

[47silver]

the hole in the container should be huge at least 2 inches in diameter...because the hot oil tank stopper will fall out of your fingers and into the hole of what every you are using...i had an oil change container from pep boys and that is what happened to me....i also forgot to open the vent hole cap so the oil did not want to go down the hole when i took out the did i say hot, tank stopper...

i made the hole about 3 inches round with a hole saw

[cygtoad]

Everthing Carrera Dan says I second.   Here are some additional notes...

You will have two oil plugs to remove, the one under the engine and the one under the oil tank get them both, tank first.

Remember to check your oil level on a flat surface at operating temp while the engine is running.

Buy a funnel or you will get oil all over your engine.

Make sure you don't forget to put those washers around your plug bolts back on or you will end up with oil leaking from around the plug bolts. Don't overtighten them when you put them back in.

[Dave Taylor]

I always get my car up to operating temperature before changing the oil. That way more of the stuff is suspended in the oil and will come out. I use a big pan like a cat litter box with high sides, then empty it into the 5 qt. jugs the new oil comes in later for recycling.

Have some rags and paper towels handy!

[plymouthcolt]

Every car is different. I like to put in eight quarts then I take it out to get it nice and hot. I top off usually with another 1.25 quarts.

[ChemMan]

If you have not already, you might want to pick up Wayne's 101 Projects book and the Bentley Manual.
Mike

[Tim Hancock]

My SC takes about 11 qts.

[livi]

I seem to remember a thread some time ago, debating the pros and cons of the temp of the oil when changing. As I remember there were no consensus whether hot oil would "clean out" more waste products than cold.

However, IMO, there are two points to changing semi-hot. Its not hot enough to burn your hands and its not cold enough so as you need to drive it for twenty minutes in order for it to reach operating temp for evaluating volume on stick.

Just my 0.2 Swedish crowns (and thats not much )