Hey everyone. My name is Dave and I got my wife her (and our) first mini a few months ago. 2002 (non S) Mini Cooper. 2dr manual. offwhite/cream color with right at 100k miles.

I plan to do its first oil change tonight. What are reccomended types? 5w20? 10w30? 5w20? Also does it matter if it is synthetic or not? Already picked up the filter last night from AutoZone.

Also, the power steering makes a pretty noticeable whining sound. I am not sure if that is normal for these cars or not? The system does not leak and has the proper amount of fluid.

Anyway, glad to be here

 

5W30, and I would go with a nice Group 5 Synthetic. I use Total (Elf), myself.

That steering noise is totally normal. It's an idiosyncrasy of the EPS system. Once I learned it was NOT a sign of a bad pump motor (which is reportedly common), I quickly grew to like the sound. You should check the operation of the power steering motor cooling fan, however. There are PLENTY of threads on the topic, so a quick search will yield all you could ever want to know on that.

 

thanks! would it hurt to use 10w30 fully synthetic? I have lots of it so figured I'd ask!

 

at a minimum you MUST stay with a full synthetic. MINI is also strong in their recommendations about brands but bottom line is you need a quality full synthetic. Lately I've been using MOBIL 1 European 0w-40 ... note the European ... (I find it at a good price at WalMart); b4 that I used CASTROL but if you read around here you'll find a zillion other recommendations. But I repeat, full synthetic.

You may also want to read up on a few of the problem areas many first timers experience such as:

- many have mixed - strong mixed - feelings about anything other than the OEM filter. I myself only use OEM filters and recommend that to those who's cars I work on. Don't forget to change the o-ring!
- the drain plug has a tendency to be a wee bit difficult to get off. I'll not get into the reasons but will note that a 1/2 wrench fits much better than the metric that is the "right" size. I recommend buying a Fumoto valve and not worrying about the tendency of the bung to stick
- many find the oil canister a wee bit difficult to get back on the first time especially since you are working in the blind. Having an experienced hand to show you how the first time is very good idea. Also on the MC you need to be careful where the can goes on cuz there is a plastic part down there you don't want to dislodge. Where are you; have you looked for a local helping hand? I've taught many first timers in my garage.
- did you buy the big 36mm socket to get the filter can off/on yet? Be carful cuz you don't have a lot of room. I went thru 2 sockets before I got the shallow one from SEARS, the others were too big to be any good as they would hit the firewall b4 the filter was free. If you are an experienced oil changer you'll be surprised at how much force with the wrench is required to get the filter canister back on....

search "oil change" and you'll find plenty of good reading. More than one experienced hand at oil changes has found their first time on MINI a challenge....

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ealership.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-own-oil.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rain-plug.html

power steering is an electric pump and they do tend to whine a bit.

 

thanks! i have lots of tools and done thousands of oil changes before so we will see how much of a pain this one will give me. I will be sure to post up tonight when I am done (or in the middle of it cursing at my car.. haha)

 

I just want to say congratulations on getting your new-to-you Mini! I got mine in February and its been love ever since. Remember to wave at your fellow Motorers!

Motor on!

 

got it done!

so yea.. it was a pain getting the fitler off. i hack sawed a small corner of the black box off to get the wrench onto the huge socket. oh well..

also getting the filter off of the container was pretty dang hard too. what a PITA! Done now though