Hello

I've got a 1998 Bonneville SSEI and it'* been way too long since I've changed the oil. Can I change the oil on this car without a jack? I've looked underneath the car and I can't find the oil drain plug. The problem is that I can't actually move around under the car without jacking it up or is there a better method you guys use? This is the second car I've owned and my first was a horrible POS 1985 audi 5000S! After riding motorcycles for the last 7 years this car turned me back into a 4-wheel *civilian*. I own 2 yamaha vmax motorcycles and I've done most of the mods and maintenance on these two bikes myself. Now I would like to be able to do the same with my car. The haynes manual I bought for this car is a joke. Is there a better manual out there aside from the one in glove box?

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ode=cat&cat=19

Surf through the Techinfo link at the top of the page. You'll find alot of useful information. The link above is only one small category.

Some people claim to be able to change the oil without jacking it up or putting it on ramps, but you gotta be pretty small. I'm 5'-10", 140 and it'* a stretch for me. Get some ramps if you're not comfortable jacking the car, but if you do jack it be sure to use jackstands.

Chilton'* manuals are much better by the way.

Chiltons is pretty good for most stuff, there have been a few things I have run across, especially in the one for my W-body that have been somewhat questionable, or just straight up wrong, for example, to remove the front swaybar on a W-body vehicle, the entire front subframe does not need to be dropped as Chiltons would tell you, in fact, you dont even need to remove the tie-rod ends!

But as far as ramps go, they would come in handy, but my beef is this, when you pull the car up onto ramps, there is going to be more oil that wont flow out, at least in my application.

I honestly cant remember if the drain plug is on the front or back for the Bonneville, I havent been under one in a while, but in my application, there would be a larger amount of old oil stuck in the pan if I used ramps, because my plug is in the front.

I could do the oil on mine without jacks, and Im about 6'0, 180. But then again Ive got the long arms and such. If you were really anal like me, you would jack the car up, remove the drain plug, then lower it back down to allow it to drain better.

It'* all in the techinfo article - pictures and everything.... The drain plug is toward the rear of the car. A Chiltons is good - a factory service manual is better.

A word of caution - NEVER get under a car that is supported only by a jack. Not even for "just a minute".

Ah well if its in the back, then ramps will just make the process even more efficient. Sorry for the misinformation, I havent changed the oil in a Bonneville in about 2 years, Im gettin a little bit rusty.

Thanks so much for the feedback!

Looks like ramps are he way to go:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=106

How often do you guys change your oil? After how many miles?

3k on dino oil and 5k is probably ok for a good synthetic. Either way be sure you get a good filter - NOT Fram.


Side note - the outside bottom of your '98'* oil pan will be smooth and black instead of the "waffle iron" pictured.

And if you need any more guidance for what to use...

If going synthetic, which is excellent, of course, go with either
Pennzoil Platinum
or
Mobil 1 (more commonly used)

and for an EXCELLENT filter, go with a Purolator PureONE (recommended), WIX (Napa GOLD) or just a Delco.

If sticking with conventional oil, just choose one you like and change it every 3k.

Actually I wanted to kind of avoid this conversation because I'm still up in the air about motor oils, but since where on the subject......

I know on my motorcycles I used to run mobil1 and it provided great performance both in my motorcycles and even cleans out my wallet too! :P I've got 126k miles on my car and I think I'm going to use Castrol High mileage. It'* the best that walmart has to offer for $16. I think it'* better to change oil more often (every3k-5k miles rather than use synthetics. Here are my reasons why:

http://vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

Is this true with the Bonneville or am I way off? Is there any real advantage to switching to synthetic with 126k miles on my engine?