I found a shop(English Autos) to change my oil. (2,000 mile on 05 MCS). The owner advises I will need to leave the car because he won't change the oil with the engine hot. How long a period of time for the engine to "cool" down for a "safe oil change" ? Never heard of this before. I guess the Jiffy Lubes would be out of business if they waited for the engine heat to cool down on cars they service. Thanks.

 

Personaly I change the oil when the engine is up at operating temp, and if you look in your owners manual it even says that the enging should be brought up to operating temp. That way you get all the oil out when its hot, instead of when its cold you take a chance of not gettin it all out.

 

I agree with doing it hot. I just did my first oil change this weekend. Drove the car to town to pick up a 36mm socket, pulled in the driveway and went to it.

What a pain getting that oil filter off .... (when you don't have the right tools )

 

DoubleNick - I strongly urge you to take your MINI to someone who knows what they are doing. They are trying to blow smoke up your ... uh... well ... you get the point. Oil is changed when it is hot - and the filter is a bit tricky.

 

Sounds to me like he’s hoping you leave the MINI for him to take it for a spin when you leave. But who can blame him – the MINI is a joy ride.