nc oil change

Finally got around to making a how-to video of changing the oil on the wife's NC miata

[@SubsurfaceLurker]

Good video presentation for this. I have two comments (for others). First ramps were constructed and used to provide initial clearance from the front end to allow the hydraulic jack to fit under to then lift so the safety jacks can be placed. I simply lift one side for first jack, then go to other side and repeat. The second point is I use wooden blocks as secondary stands, placing them under the frame inside of the wheel mount. Using wood blocks there make it unnecessary to place (or risk) the wheel/rim under the rotor. (I simply cut 10" or 12" lengths from 6"x6" post.)

[@perrycook9727]

Very good and explanatory.. l needed to see clearly where to place my Jack stands and how .lm trying to take good care of my 08 mx5 ,my retirement gift. So Thanks

[@maintainersgarage]

You are welcome and enjoy the fun retirement gift!

[@TachOnRed]

Thank you for making this video! I was searching EVERYWHERE as to where the front floor jack point is on these things! Everyone says just put it on the front cross member. And with SO MANY braces and members on this thing I wasn't entirely sure. Now THIS is the BEST oil change video for the NC.

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you for the compliment! Glad you found it helpful

[@andrewsnyder2721]

Thank you for this COMPLETE and informative video on this 'simple' but potentially complicated procedure! Great video work and pics!

[@maintainersgarage]

You are welcome and thank you!

[@notaname59]

Definitely appreciate the safety point of view throughout the video. Two things I've done as a value add for your oil changes - 1) when putting the new filter back, add oil to the filter (about half) that helps the car when first started to shorten the time oil gets through the car. 2) instead of your modified oil catch for the filter, use a quart plastic bag to remove the filter and catch the oil (saw this on another channel).

[@maintainersgarage]

Excellent point on adding oil to the filter and REALLY good idea on the quart plastic bag! Thanks for the compliment!

[@backpackmc]

Great content, super clear instructions not skipping any small details, and The regular safety checks make this a very professional video.

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you!!!

[@williamlott7612]

Thanks for the video and the humor. I have the identical ‘07. Darlington, South Carolina

[@vejovagula7338]

Entertaining and informative video. Last year, 2020, I bought a 2008 MX5/PRHT just like this one 'cept Black w/45K on it. Will need to do an oil change on it soon and this video gave me some good insight. I always do similar safety precautions on blocking any fall-off/slip-off mishaps. It's time-consuming somewhat but better to take the time than to spend an early eternity somewhere you'd not planned on going that soon!!! Thanks!

[@maintainersgarage]

I agree

[@jeffreyhickey4856]

I enjoyed this video! Believe it or not, I have a stripped bolt on my undercarriage plate too! I struggled to remove it and ended up using your screwdriver technique. Thanks for the suggestion/solution! It worked like a charm! I also love your idea of the catch pan for the oil filter. The hole in the catch pan (to line up with the hole in the frame) is an awesome idea! I have always slipped a plastic sandwich bag around the filter as I remove it. But I always wind up with a good amount of filter oil dripping on the frame! I appreciate the tip!

[@maintainersgarage]

Thanks Jeffrey! And the bag idea is a good one as well! Whatever it takes to not make a mess!

[@OOICU812]

I appreciate the tips. I always use a new crush washer on the oil drain plug.

[@maintainersgarage]

Thanks!

[@leewatkeys9065]

Excellent video and thanks for the honest humour: we’ve all been there with the hamfisted bolts tightening 😀

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you

[@coastalbeer]

Just bought a 2008 Grand Touring auto in Highland Green. I am using your video to prevent mistakes on my oil change and then get a laugh from the dancing at the end. I don't plan on tightening those plate bolts too tight. I want this job to be very easy to do from now on. My car there were only 165 made in Highland Green. It is an amazing paint, looks black sometimes. I am such a lucky dog 🐕.

[@maintainersgarage]

Excellent color!!

[@carenthusiast1629]

Great video, like the safety steps you took. Thanks much.

[@maintainersgarage]

thanks for the compliment!!

[@johndale5907]

I’ve been to the Sand Box, I’ve been to the jungles of the Amazon, and I’ve even hiked the Outback, but I will never go into my garage again knowing that everything in there is trying to kill me. Great video - just bought a 2015 NC

[@maintainersgarage]

Hahaha! Thank you and nice ride, enjoy!!!

[@john_dee1431]

Truly spoken - value of human flesh when working on cars cannot be overstated.

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you!

[@WaynesWorld1106]

Thank you. So very informative. As a A&P aircraft mechanic I appreciated your safety tips.You broke the oil filter loose with your bare hand? I'm not worthy. I really enjoyed your sense of humor. I'm sure we are of the same tribe and would be good, beer drinking neighbors, if we were neighbors. Cheers brother!

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you!! And you are probably right, we would drink beer!

[@williamcullom4326]

Great video. Really good info on Jack points. Not easily found! Could you share the lengths of the boards you used to build your ramps? I would like to make a set and I do not want to guess, yours look great! Thanks!

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you William! Ramps are 2x10 boards. Bottom one is 4 ft, middle board is 3ft, top board is 2 ft

[@toshibavoodoo]

ALWAYS QUICKER to do it yourself, and you know the job is done right.

[@maintainersgarage]

I agree!

[@tonybalony9432]

Great video full of many useful tips, I dance too, but only in front of my dog. They never judge,

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you! And yes, dogs just want treats and love, they dgaf about how bad we dance!!

[@ttinnovations3310]

nice ( trick, just use tin foil and channel the oil path were you want it , fast easy )

[@maintainersgarage]

Good idea!

[@roadrunner594]

Nice wooden stands👍 You seem like a detailed n frugal individual... have you thought if adding a tire sit in Grove on your Ramps out of wood?

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you! The slit is a good idea. But, I use these ramps on different vehicles so it would be a big grove. I keep planning to add a 2x4 on the end but just have not gotten around to it in 12 years lol, but soon! Thank you for the compliments 👍

[@goodforwatch]

Man🤣🤣🤣 you hilarious🥳🥳🥳

[@roadrunner594]

I've seen others use a larger sandwich plastic bag around the filter... have you tried that method?

[@maintainersgarage]

I have not, but that sounds like it would work perfectly!

[@PasQuaL786]

Does the drain plug have a washer on it and do we need to replace it when changing?

[@maintainersgarage]

The drain plug may have a washer on it, but it may not. Factory manual says use crush washer. I did not use a crush washer on my wife's miata and it never leaked from the drain plug. As always YMMV

[@mainoffender1]

Should the oil level be a bit higher than the top hole on the dipstick?

[@maintainersgarage]

The top hole is the FULL mark. Barely over is ok. But not like a 1/4 inch

[@wg5768]

I have a 2008 PRHT and your wife's looks a lot nicer than mine. What's the mileage on it?

[@maintainersgarage]

Thank you, I try to keep it clean. 92,xxx miles and counting

[@Paintppa1]

I remove the dipstick and filler cap. Don't know if it does help make sure all the oil drains, but that's the Dad did it, so that's the way I taught my son to do it.

[@maintainersgarage]

I love it! Each one teach one!

[@bradweinstein7017]

How often do you change your oil?

[@maintainersgarage]

Every 5000-6000 miles.

[@Mrxsara2001]

If you just loosen the oil filter and then put a Ziploc freezer bag on it, you can then remove the filter and any oil from it will stay in the bag.

[@wshtb]

No it doesn't. Give it a try yourself.

[@Mrxsara2001]

@@wshtb it does. I have.

[@juanmespinoza65]

How about the year on the car turbo

[@maintainersgarage]

you mean when I said 2008 in the beginning of the video?

[@mattmacd2009]

I always put the wheel under the rotors. I'll pay £300 to save a sqished face.

[@maintainersgarage]

Exactly!

[@olingeres]

I see your dance moves have not changed in the last 20 years, LOL

[@maintainersgarage]

Lmao, you know it brotha!!!!

[@hartmutflemming2045]

Ablasschraube ist NICHT richtig Angezogen , prüf mal ....

[@maintainersgarage]

@hartmut flemming, I had to google translate, hope it is correct. I will reply in english and then german . Yes, you are right. I did not tighten drain plug per manual. But, it IS tight and does NOT leak. I have not had any vehicle leak oil at drain plug doing it this way. The key is drain plug it just snug and do a leak check. If it leaks tighten just a little and leak check again Ja, du hast recht. Ich habe die Ablassschraube nicht gemäß Handbuch festgezogen. Aber es ist fest und leckt nicht. Ich habe auf diese Weise kein Fahrzeuglecköl an der Ablassschraube gehabt. Der Schlüssel ist die Ablassschraube, die genau sitzt und eine Dichtheitsprüfung durchführt. Wenn es undicht ist, ziehen Sie es nur ein wenig fest und überprüfen Sie es erneut

[@netneo837]

men go to oil change place and let them do it

[@maintainersgarage]

Ehh if you say so

[@janetyeoman1544]

Endless stories of how they damage parts and fail to do a proper job. Over tightening drain bolts is common. Lots of plastic lower shields dangling onto road after they’re done.

[@maintainersgarage]

Well put!

[@akiranaski2280]

Use ziplock bag over the loosen oil filter to get it off without spilling the oil.

[@maintainersgarage]

Very good tip!