I see. I don't know what the Local harbor freight price for a 2 ton jack is but i know at autozone it's ~$100 alone.

If i pay to have my oil done its usually $29.95

I will never take my car to a shop to get the oil changed ever again, some idiot at a local valvoline way overtighntended the drain plug and ruined the threads on it, Luckily there was no damage done to the oil pan. This is one reason why I do everything my self, no one can be trusted anymore.

is it necessary to replace the drain plug gasket?

and will ac delco iridiums be good?

no its not necessary

Ac delco iridiums will work and last a long time

please read and take note =]
 

ok, I have to say I highly disagree with the comment that synthetic oil is not worth it at higher mileage. I bought my car with 93,000 and started using Mobil 1 in it in place of conventional oil. At 151,000 I have not experienced sludge, increased leakage, or any other issues. In fact, I am happily reaping the benefits of greater engine component protection and longer change periods (around 5,000 miles instead of 3,000) which offsets the extra cost. It's a win win situation and I personally say go for it. I know that the penzoil oil change place by me offers a complete oil change (with conventional oil, mind you) , car inspection, and other fluid top-off for only $35. I also live in Michigan so that price should be comparable in grand rapids. Just so you know, your car can run 5w30 in all temperatures and 10w30 in temperatures above zero degrees Fahrenheit.

As for your spark plugs, use the same as original plugs which are AC Delco Type 41-963 (Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm). These plugs are meant for our cars and unless your engine has significant upgrades using other plugs will not give you any benefits.

If you want a copy of the owners manual, I have a PDF copy and can e-mail it to you. it gives lots of information on what to use/not use in our cars.

ive read the owners manual like 6 times :D its like my bible hahaha

i read it before i even got the car....


which is preferred though, iridiums or platinums?

copper for me

but go jump on the iridium train

feeling very repetitive here but, platinum. platinum lasts 100,000 miles, is what our car was designed to run on, and is overall whats good for our cars. As everybody who has been on this site for a long time already knows, if you go with plugs that are full of gimmics, then your car is going to be angry at you and you'll find yourself spending even more money to buy the plugs that are actually supposed to go in it. C2 runs copper plugs because thats whats recommended for the 2.4 twin cam but you have the v6 and they call for platinum, so platinum is what you should put in it, especially if its stock.

to answer your original question about whether you can buy a specific brand of oil at an oil change place, its easy. call ahead. then you will have your answer. if they don't carry the oil, ask if you can bring your own oil and ask how much it would cost for the labor.

That's true, I was doing one on the ground once on a ranger, and dropped my filter wrench right in the drain pan. fortunately I got none in my hair or on my clothes, but a whole lot in my mouth, and water won't wash out oil.

Take a look at the bolt when you go to remove it. If its weeping oil around the bolt, OR after you take it out, the gasket is cracked/dry rotted... then yes.

A new bolt (with a magnet on the end to catch metal shavings) is only a couple bucks. I rounded mine off, so I had to get a new one.

If none of the above, no. Keep the old one. If any of the above, then yes.


Also... since your new to this. Loosen the bolt until you can turn it by hand. Then get your bucket underneath, and slowly turn the bolt by hand, pushing it up into the oil pan. (to keep oil from coming out) until you clearly have it completely unthreaded and the only thing stopping oil is the bolt your holding in place. Then quickly remove the bolt, and let the oil drain. (best way to avoid coating your hand in possibly warm oil)

Also... keep in mind the oil doesn't drain straight down. The pan outlet is angled slightly. Have your pan about 5" off to the side its angled on. Or else you'll have a huge mess when you miss it.

That's not how it is here. I take both out vehicles to a dealership with the Mobil 1 oil. Then they charge me around $15 for filter and oil, plus clean the inside of the car and wash the outside.

They way I look at it, if I wash my own car it would be $5-$7. The filter would be $3-$7. So basically the oil change costs me around $5.

I am willing to pay $5 for an oil change just so I don't have to do it.

hallmark of someone who doesn't know how to work on cars...
:p

:haha: :haha: :haha: right......

Aww... gonna cry?



Quick... someone call Kyle

What the hell is this, and why is it relevant here? it all made sense until this thing came along now I'm lost..

I prefer to use used 2 liter soda bottles since I know that the fluid isn't going to leak out.

The iridiums are factory issue (ACDelco #41-101)

Although, if you really wanted to use coppers in a 3400 it would be a #R44LTSM6

It's a mite.

Eye Mite


I might.