Sorry if someone has already posted something similar to this, but here we go....

OK...I drive my MINI very regularly. I have to change my oil. It's time. Here's the question. I have absolutely no time to go to the dealership....the service department is only open during my working hours. I could go out to my shop, but I would have to go on a weekend and I have plans the next couple weekends that would keep me away from there. I have no idea how to change my own oil so that is out of the question. Has anyone taken their MINI anyplace else to get an oil service? And also, does the MINI have an aluminum or steel oil pan? I would have less issues with taking it to a Jiffy Lube if I was sure they wouldn't mess up an aluminum oil pan.

Thanks in advance. :smile:

 

Lauren, I know this isn't exactly the info you're looking for, but I never changed oil on a car before I got my MINI, either. Now I've done it once, and I'll never pay for it again. I am not a mechanical guru, and this is seriously easy. :smile: It'll cost you $30 for ramps (which you don't absolutely need), and maybe $50 tops for the other stuff. I'm sure you've seen the how-to posts with pictures.

Unfortunately, regardless of what you do, you're probably going to have to go to the dealership for the filter, unless you order it through the mail. Garages aren't going to have it.

Just think about it (again) before taking your car to anyone that you trust any less than 100%. It'll be a messy and probably annoying job the first time you do it, but you'll never look back!

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Lauren,

You can do this yourself. It is very easy, you can even enlist TJ to help do it, really. There is no need to fear this.

Easiest way (no filter change).

You'll need:

1 set of Rhino ramps (+/- $20 at Wally-World / Wal-Mart)
1 case Mobil 1 5W30 (6 qts. you will use only 4 and change), also at Wally-World
1 Oil catch pan (+/- $15 at Pep Boys)
1 8" adjustable wrench (look in your tool kit/closet)

Drive your car up on the ramps
Get under the engine and locate the oil drain plug its kind of in the center of the engine, back side.
loosen plug with your wrench (lefty loosy- righty tighty)
place catch pan under plug
gently take out plug / loosen the last bit (oil comes out so watch it)
take off oil cap from engine (on top)
allow to drain for 5 minutes
replace oil drain plug and remove catch pan
fill with 4.2 qts of Mobil 1.
replace oil cap.
start engine, warm, turn off, and check level with dipstick.

Its Miller Time

 

I don't know where I would change it though. There is a strict policy against doing things like that in my neighborhood...I can't even wash my car in my neighborhood. I don't want to get in trouble.

Just in case though...would I really need the Rhino ramps? We have jack stands...would those work?

 

I agree changing the oil in MINI is easy. You don't need ramps either, but please change the filter. That is where all the dirt is caught and a dirty filter with a clean oil change is kind of pointless to me. Get a large adjustable wrench or short 36mm socket and the filter is very easy to reach and replace. Just be careful putting the cartidge back on that you don't cross thread it. You will know, it will quickly become difficult to turn if crossthreaded. The oil drain plug is easy to reach from in front of the car. You can look under from the side and see a plug facing the with a small paint strip on it. That is the drain plug. It is facing the rear of the car. Use 4.5 quarts of Mobil 1 or Castro Syntec 5w-30.

I really urge you not to pay some yo-yo at the local corner iffy lube to change it. They do not have any interest in making sure your car is done right and probably will not have a filter for your car anyway.

 

Rhino ramps allow you to drive your car into place. Jack stands require that you jack the car up in order to put them under the frame. This is much more work. A contortionist can do the job with the car on the ground, but I find that the Rhino ramps make the job so much easier that its worth having them. They are practical for other mods too, like putting on a skid plate or p.s. fan cover.

As for the neighborhood policy, either be a rebel, or drive to someone else's neighborhood, or even the Auto Zone parking lot.

You can do this. No Fear.

 

That's ok...I'm sure TJ will have no problem doing it. If it's possible with the jack stands, I would rather do it that way then buying the ramps as I don't have alot of extra money laying around right now. :smile:

However....I am really worried about when I would even have a chance to do something like this. Having someone else do it is so much more convenient for me. It's not like I can just do it at home. I really don't feel like driving around to find some random parking lot to change my oil in.

 

Wow, must be a pretty posh neighborhood there, L! I've never heard of a policy like that, but I guess it doesn't surprise me. I mean, what if you have your own driveway? Is it just your complex, or an actual town ordinance? That definitely makes it a bit more of a pain.

I'm sure there are places in your area that would treat your car right; I just don't happen to live there... Didn't mean to derail your thread from your actual questions!

 

No...my neighborhood is ghetto fabulous. :smile: I would love to be able to do it myself, but I would have to do it under cover of night and all that jazz.

 

>>I don't know where I would change it though. There is a strict policy against doing things like that in my neighborhood...I can't even wash my car in my neighborhood. I don't want to get in trouble.
>>
>>Just in case though...would I really need the Rhino ramps? We have jack stands...would those work?

WTF!! Time to move. I hate those stupid communities with too many rules. I can understand rules about keeping tow trucks on the front lawn or something like that but no car washing even? What a sad joke.
You could always take your car to a friends house and change the earl.

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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

You could always do it at my place too!

I have all the needed gear, and genuine MINI filters.

Just a thot!

 

Are you being serious? Would you really help me? Because if you are being serious that is awfully nice of you. :smile:

 

Totally serious! Us MINI people have to look out for each other! It's not like MINIUSA will.

 

You have a PM.

 

Several options- some already realized. And some comments.
L.Mini, you didn't mention your mileage- lets assume it is about 6000 miles or less. Yes it is OK to change oil. Should you change the filter too? Yes, it isn't expensive and you can get it from your dealer as a part with the O-ring. Then you need about 5 quarts of fully synthetic oil (the dealer likes Castrol) -you can choose the brand of your choice. Depends somewhat on what part of the country you are in. Some like Mobil One and some like Redline.

You can do the oil change yourself but I think you describe a lack of appropriate space. Then use a friend's space. Yes, an MCO member can help you with this- no problem. You don't really need as much equiptment and tools- pretty basic.

The dealer charges like $70 or more for this. Regular oil change shops can do it for about $35 or less. Just give them the oil filter and O-ring, 5 quarts of good synthetic oil and instructions. They can do it and others have done it this way- no problems. If there is a oil change place near work then just drop it off in the morning that they can do it while you are at work.

Then at 12,000 miles you can have the dealer do another covered oil change. Take a day off- get your doctor to write you a sick slip- of course find one that drives a MINI to make it official

 

You can do it it's not hard
Let the force be with you!

 

Oh no...I've already done my MINI oil service. I've had my car for over a year.....this will be the second time I've changed my oil this year. I can't go to the dealership though because I can't get the time away from work.

 

I've gotten a very generous offer of help from my MCO friend and yours, Greatbear. He's practically my neighbor anyway. w00t!!!!

 

Here is another "wild" idea. It requires a bit of help from your very friendly MINI dealership to pull it off but with my dealership it would be possible.

You work the same hours as the MINI dealership. But it is likely they open or close early or late or maybe on a Saturday (not sure if you work saturdays). Drop your car off early or late as needed and get a MINI loaner to drive off to go to work. Tell them you cannot miss work but you want to get the servicing done (this assumes you are willing to pay for the service). You carry a spare key and sign the needed paperwork. You drop off the loaner car afterhours with the key put into the drop off envelop they have fore dealers. They do your service and lock your key in your car and you use the spare to drive off. You pay by credit card via phone authorization.

I do this all the time with my regular auto shop and I know my MINI dealership would be willing to help me out if needed. Some dealers are not so helpful.
Just an idea. you can ask for an MCS loaner- maybe something with a header with no Cat, tower strut bar and BMP intake. Our dealer has a loaner like that- can you believe it? Maybe you should move to Hawaii??

 

I don't think my dealership is that nice. :smile:

 

1) Don't use drive up ramps without jackstands!!!

 

Regarding the use of jack stands, I better ask the dumb question. If someone could give me the order in which they set the stands, beginning with which of the four jack points they use and exactly where under the car they set the stands. I would appreciate it if it could be explained for both getting the front wheels up and all four.

I've been looking at it and it is not as intuitive as I had hoped. Position of stands underneath is a bit confusing. Did a search and didn't come up with any hits. My stepson and I were working on something this past weekend and we had the proverbial slip off the jack point problem. We were going for all four wheels and screwed up. Thankfully, 98% of damage was to black plastic side skirt.

Appreciate any help with this. Thanks.

 

Interesting thread, for one who has never changed their own oil, that is.

 

I believe if you sell auto oil you have to accept dirty oil for recycling. At least that is the case here

 

>>I don't think my dealership is that nice. :smile:

Your dealership experience is a definite factor in deciding what to do. Bad dealership experiences will bring different attitudes. I'm headed to the SF bay area from Oregon tomorrow, so I just had mine changed @4500 miles @ Rasmussen MINI, which has a very good reputation for service. They charged me $54 dollars total. While I was there, they did a quick free recall fix on a PS diode harness which I wasn't even aware of needing. It's things like that that make me want to take MINI in to them each time I service. Trust is everything, and they've earned mine.