There is never a need for synthetic, although it is supposed to be better for your car and definitely does allow more driving between changes. If you stricktly adhere to the 3k rule then conventional oil will do just fine. The way I look at it though is if the oil is double the price, but you're changing it half as often, you aren't just breaking even, you're saving the price of a filter per 6k miles. :twocents:

Ridiculous noob question here. I always thought you were supposed to change the oil when it was cool?

Usually you just need to warm the car up for a few minutes for regular oil change BUT if you're taking sample for laboratories to do oil analysis, you have to follow this Gas Sampling :hello:

i just usually go to the store let it be to pick up the oil or filter or grab some food. making sure the temp led is around the 1/3 point and the oil temp is up near 160ish. this is when some "thickies" gloves come in handy. i've been burned by oil before, not fun.

Thanks guys.

maybe in zville everyone is sincere. miami's full of crooks and lazy people. most dealers here are huge and the service area is away from the waiting room. i dont know about there, but here most service techs are kids in high school or just graduated from making minimum wage. they're still in that high school mentality and are oblivious to how hard someone has to work to afford a $35-40k car and therefore have no respect for it.

i'll pay the ~$10 over what you pay and change it myself with the ester oil and not have to worry about someone tokyo drifting my car.

The last time a dealer touched one of my vehicles (a Toyota Tacoma) was to fix something they did after a cheap oil change and tire rotation.

They over torqued the lugs so much, they had to DRILL two of them off the next time I took it in. They damaged the wheel in the process and had to give me a new one.

No thanks...
I can change my oil in less than an hour, and I KNOW it's been done correctly.

Of course I like tinkering, so it's fun for me...

I'm about 1/2 way through my break in and decided to install a filter magnet. Like AK I had this idea when I got the car but I was having trouble finding something that looked like a good product. Thanks for pointing the way AK! I got the HP250 FilterMag:

[IMG]http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...Z/IMG_3580.jpg[/IMG]

I'll be installing this drain bolt by Peak Performance one the first change:

http://www.enjukuracing.com/images/p...nplug_full.jpg
Thanks for the great write up! :tiphat:

AK just curious do you plan to cut open the filter and see if any crap is stuck to it? I have an air compressor and I'm tempted to go get a cheap pneumatic cutting wheel to cut mine open and see if I got anything after break in lol.

Very nice. Congrats on your first oil change. You went with the more powerful magnet option HP model (I have SS which is one grade below).

Upon my 1st oil change, I found metal shavings on the drain bolt. I was SO TEMPTED to open up the filter but I had no tools do such thing :(. If someone can point me to the right tool and it's cheap enough, I would love to open it up.:tup:

I actually haven't changed the oil yet, waiting until 1200mi. I just added the filter magnet. What you said makes me want to see if I can swap the drain bolt really quick though too so I catch any additional shavings during the rest of the break in! I don't have any oil though to refill what will come out during a quick bolt swap so I'll have to get some on the way to work and do it tomorrow.

I've never cut a filter open either but how about something basic. You have a vice and a hack saw lol? Anyway I think ideally you would have wanted to cut it open with the magnet still attached, otherwise the particles may come loose from the can and drain with the oil. If you've already moved the magnet to a new filter they may not be there. I may get the cutting wheel. If I end up doing it I'll post pics.

I'd just wait until you actually change your oil. That, or just go ahead and change it. I put mine off until 3200 or so but many people on here get synthetic in there way early. No harm, just a little cost. I'd stay away from trying to "swap" the drain bolt. :twocents:

I haven't done my first oil change yet, I'm actually going in to the dealership to get it done tomorrow. My only concern is that the manual says to change the oil at 3,750 miles. But unfortunately with my hectic scheduling I've gone over about 1k without changing it. Should I worry, or just get it changed sooner next time like maybe on the next 2k? :(

Are you at 4750 ? if so, change your oil ASAP. Just follow the manual for the next changes. You should be okay. Though I should point out, this car takes a while to break in. Even my last oil sample showed signs of break in still.

Thanks for the advise. I went ahead and changed the oil, and the car runs very smooth. Didn't realize it takes long to break in the engine. I wonder if that goes the same for the shifter. Its a bit notchy, but either than that it runs like silk. :happydance:

Has anyone went with Amsoil Signature Series 0W-30 yet? I decided to go with Amsoil myself....should be here Monday. I also ordered an Amsoil oil filter and have already got the SS250 filtermag and Titek magnetic drain bolt here, ready to go. Will be changing the oil for the first time at 3,000 miles. Ordered the Amsoil products from LiquidZ. Thanks for an easy transaction!