Going To Do An Oil Change Today...
 

I just got my SVX a few weeks ago and it's up for an oil change. Today my boyfriend's friend is going to show him how to change my oil since he is familiar with Subarus. We're going to Pep Boys, could someone tell me specifically what I need to buy that he will need to use (ie. what type of filter, how many bottles of oil, etc.)?

Also, should I change the trans fluid? I'm thinking I should, but I don't know if I want them to mess with it if it's difficult.
Thanks.

get an OE oil filter
get a oil plug crush gasket
get 6.0 qt of oil

i was gonna change the oil in my svx, but it's too hard to get under, too low to the ground, and my jack stands wouldn't lift the car high enuf

a set of rhino ramps might help the job along

have fun

oh and you'll have to take that plastic thing off

What kind of oil?

Is the trans fluid hard to flush out? And you use Dexron II ATF, right?

What plastic thing? I'm not doing it so I just want to write down stuff for them to do. :p

It's Dexron III, which is the latest. The plastic thing is the bottom cover that covers the bottom of the engine and the oil filter. It comes out with a couple bolts. It might not come out if the tow hooks are bent. Mine had to be straightened cuz they get bent if you bottom out.

Plastic thing is just the splash guard - should be taken off to get to the oil filter easier although some do the change without removing it but it is messy.

You'll need 7 qts of oil - it takes about 6.3. I always fill the new oil filter with fresh oil before putting it on although it may not be necessary it doesn't hurt to do it.
You can start a debate on here about what kind of oil - I use synthetic havoline, some use mobil1, some use dino oil. Synthetic is more $$ - about double the cost per quart but most believe that it does a better job.

Filters - I have good experience with purolator pure one so far. Another can of worms to debate this one.

trans fluid is dexron III. You need around 6 qts - easy drain and refill. Best method is to measure how many qts you remove and then put the same back in (assuming you had the correct amount in before) You need a long ATF funnel to fill the tranny through the dipstick.

Mine takes 7 qts of oil...

and the plastic thing he is refering too is under the front bumper of the car, and extends far enough back to cover the oil filter/plug...

technically you dont HAVE to remove it, its just messy if you dont.

And I would leave the tranny fluid alone, unless you take it somewhere to get flushed proffesionally for around $100

Is flushing the trans fluid necessary or is it okay as long as you have it changed once a year?

Thanks everyone for your help, too.

6qt for the trans?
really?
the manual says 10...
is the manual wrong?

i was also told that there is a difference between store bought and oem oil filters, that the oem filter has an extra something or other junk inside of it...

and on the ATF, do you know if the trans was flushed on a regular basis?
if not you might want to just drain it, and refil, not flush...

and yes the aero/splash guard under the car is what i was talking about

I would recommend only using the OE oil filter. I once read that it has an extra check valve in it or something. It is a different part than other subaru oil filters.

Mike

it has a valve that helps keep the oil in the engine as opposed to settling into the filter...

and the 6qts he was refering to was for the engine, not the trans

Get 7 quarts for each. The tranny holds 10 but you'll never get out more than 7. Keep the extra for topping off.

It might be a good idea to replace the internal tranny filter as well.

Thanks, guys. We did the oil change only and I think it went well. Didn't use synthetic oil, but used the purolator one filter. They didn't even put it on a ramp because the car sits too low...They ended up taking something off of it to access it.