DIY oil change in safety

M5Rick · 07-13-2021, 04:57 PM

Did an oil change today with front wheels resting on blocks and stone plates so zero chance of car falling down. Checked the old oil filter for any swarf or filings all okay and tightened the new filter housing with the BMW wrench, used 9.5 litres of Castrol Edge 0W40.

M5_Raz · 07-13-2021, 11:54 PM

Nice, can never be too safe.

I have a similar setup as well. I raise it up on jack stands and then put big rectangular boulders under the wheels and next to the jack stands. And on one side I also raise the jack till it barely touches the car.

Also put some bricks at the rear wheels

M5Rick · 07-14-2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

Nice, can never be too safe.

I have a similar setup as well. I raise it up on jack stands and then put big rectangular boulders under the wheels and next to the jack stands. And on one side I also raise the jack till it barely touches the car.

Also put some bricks at the rear wheels

It's not hard just needs some thought and you'll get enough height to reasonably reach the plug and filter bowl with of course a 12 litre plastic container. I used a wider tight on the bolt copper crush washer for the sump plug than the poor thin one that BMW provide.
The rear diff oil change I'll leave to service when it's time for it's safety inspection.

M5Rick · 07-14-2021, 03:45 PM

Checked the oil level electronically and got it spot on so no need to top up.
The motor sounds a trifle more eager now with the 40 oil in after a few burns

M5Rick · 07-17-2021, 03:57 AM

Just another tip, when undoing the filter housing undo very slowly to let the excess oil out first into a positioned oil catch otherwise too quick and it'll go on top of the sump shield and further down.

celicatoe46m3 · 07-25-2021, 10:27 AM

With the wooden block method, how high is the wood approximately?

Is that enough clearance for you to get under and get access to the oil filter easily?

M5Rick · 07-25-2021, 12:25 PM

About 5 inches with the stone plates on top, room enough for me just got to think when tapping the spanner in the right direction when loosening the sump plug and the filter bowl.
..should add another 2 inches as driveway is angled up so front end is raised up more.

M5Rick · 08-06-2021, 02:55 PM

The tool needed to unscrew filter.

07-13-2021, 04:57 PM	#1
M5Rick General 60018 Rep 19,527 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern England iTrader: (0)	DIY oil change in safety Did an oil change today with front wheels resting on blocks and stone plates so zero chance of car falling down. Checked the old oil filter for any swarf or filings all okay and tightened the new filter housing with the BMW wrench, used 9.5 litres of Castrol Edge 0W40. Last edited by M5Rick; 10-21-2023 at 09:57 AM..
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07-13-2021, 11:54 PM	#2
M5_Raz Lieutenant 514 Rep 538 Posts Drives: BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	Nice, can never be too safe. I have a similar setup as well. I raise it up on jack stands and then put big rectangular boulders under the wheels and next to the jack stands. And on one side I also raise the jack till it barely touches the car. Also put some bricks at the rear wheels
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07-14-2021, 03:45 PM	#4
M5Rick General 60018 Rep 19,527 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern England iTrader: (0)	Checked the oil level electronically and got it spot on so no need to top up. The motor sounds a trifle more eager now with the 40 oil in after a few burns Last edited by M5Rick; 10-21-2023 at 09:57 AM..
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07-17-2021, 03:57 AM	#5
M5Rick General 60018 Rep 19,527 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern England iTrader: (0)	Just another tip, when undoing the filter housing undo very slowly to let the excess oil out first into a positioned oil catch otherwise too quick and it'll go on top of the sump shield and further down. Last edited by M5Rick; 07-17-2021 at 07:13 AM..
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07-25-2021, 10:27 AM	#6
celicatoe46m3 Private First Class 47 Rep 170 Posts Drives: E60 M5 & E46 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3)	With the wooden block method, how high is the wood approximately? Is that enough clearance for you to get under and get access to the oil filter easily?
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07-25-2021, 12:25 PM	#7
M5Rick General 60018 Rep 19,527 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern England iTrader: (0)	About 5 inches with the stone plates on top, room enough for me just got to think when tapping the spanner in the right direction when loosening the sump plug and the filter bowl. ..should add another 2 inches as driveway is angled up so front end is raised up more. Last edited by M5Rick; 08-06-2021 at 05:31 PM..
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08-06-2021, 02:55 PM	#8
M5Rick General 60018 Rep 19,527 Posts Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southern England iTrader: (0)	The tool needed to unscrew filter. Last edited by M5Rick; 10-21-2023 at 09:57 AM..
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