I don't know how much it's going to cost to have my oil changed, but I want to learn how to do it myself!

2007 Mini Cooper S

Where is the oil filter?
Where is the plug that I have to unscrew to leak the oil?
What oil do I need? I saw in the manual I need High Performance Oil specifically from MINI, but not sure if there's something I can buy locally to get it.

Also, I have been using middle grade gas because of money issues. Is this okay? I know my car won't perform at it's best but it's not like I am driving to impress.. just going where I need to go..

Please advise!

Thanks!

I have decided to do my own oil changes due tot he fact the dealer wants $120 for an oil change :aargh:

I can do it for around $50.

If you are going to do any of your own work even oil changes it is helpful to get a service manual. There are also videos on You Tube if you do a search for Mini cooper oil change.

I put the best gas I can in my car, one of the biggest reasons is when I first bought the car from a Honda dealer they had put regular gas in it, and it was getting 24 mpg, I then filled it with 93 octane and I am getting 32+ mpg.
I figure I am paying for it one way or another. The car also is intended to run on high octane, ther has got to be a reason.

Firstly good on you for wanting to have a go, I expect you could do as good a job as some blokes, maybe better in some instances.
You need a workshop manual ideally, that will assist you with all need to know to do it yourself, then you need the right tools of course, essential.
Its fairly straight forwards but you will need a bit of muscle sometimes to get things undone, and its completely waste of time painting your nails, they chip dreadfully ;-)

Some sound advice already, one bit of advice from me is to wear disposable gloves when doing the job. It will keep your hands from getting filthy but most importantly there is evidence that exposure to used motor oils can be a cause of cancer due to the by-products of combustion contained within the used oil. Gloves will prevent any exposure through the skin.

lol I am by far one of those nail-painters that you speak of. :-)


Also, my engine light says "Service". What does this entail? Is it the oil change, or what? Ugh, I hate not being a car person. lol

lol I am by far one of those nail-painters that you speak of. :-)


Also, my engine light says "Service". What does this entail? Is it the oil change, or what? Ugh, I hate not being a car person. lol


This basically just means your car requires a service , oil + filters ( oil + air )
You can reset this by yourself either before or after you carry out the work.
Well done on wanting to give it a go , its a fairly easy task, just remember to put the drain plug back in!! Yes people do forget that part :D

Let us know how you get on :)

Some useful links here but mostly for earlier Mk1 Mini's, not sure if yours is Gen1 or 2:
Oil & Filter Change on a Mk1 (R50/52/53) MINI - Forums (http://forum.minicooper.org/showthread.php?t=11930)

How do I find out exactly?

Good news and bad news!

Good news: I bought my car through Carmax and I called them to get a quote on an oil change and it's only going to be 57 dollars. :-)

Bad news: I'm not changing my own oil because I'm very very nervous about screwing things up and I don't quite have the finances to get ALL the tools I need. It would have cost much more to get all of it then it will to get 2 or 3 oil changes! One day though!

Good news and bad news!

Good news: I bought my car through Carmax and I called them to get a quote on an oil change and it's only going to be 57 dollars. :-)

Bad news: I'm not changing my own oil because I'm very very nervous about screwing things up and I don't quite have the finances to get ALL the tools I need. It would have cost much more to get all of it then it will to get 2 or 3 oil changes! One day though!

probably good news !!

I would advise you to have someone show you how to do it first rather than just read a manual.

a lot of people say go for it, it's eezy peezy, but it's not always straightforward, and you do need to know what you are doing.

I've been changing oil and filters in various cars for a very long time, and it's not a job to be taken lightly, no matter what you are told !!

Iain

Thanks, Iain! I trusted my gut when it told me not to jump into it immediately! I will definitely look into finding a tutor for it. :-)

Changing oil isn't for everyone. A guy I used to work with tried it once. The wrench slipped and he took a big piece out of a front tooth. Compared the dental bill with the cost of oil changes and decided it wasn't worth it.

On the other hand, a lady who was financially strapped decided to rebuild her VW engine. After she found how easy it was and how well it ran, this became her hobby. She continued repairing VW engines for friends and relatives.

You mention getting a tutor - my first thought was adult ed. course. Most big cities offer them.

I was lucky in that when I was born my father had an auto repair shop. He used to say that I had the dirtiest knees in the county before I learned to walk.:)