That's the TBN number, it's an optional add-on for more $$ per anaylsis at Blackstone. Ripped from A Quick Guide to Oil Analysis Tests :

The Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the reserve alkalinity in engine oils. Because acids form in the oil (sulfates and nitrates), lubricants are manufactured with a high alkaline count to counteract the acids. TBN should never be a problem if the proper lubricant change intervals are followed. If the change intervals are lengthened too much or skipped, then acids that form will consume the alkaline reserve of the lubricant and advanced corrosion of the engine parts will ensue.

Drain plug washer.
 

Hi all,
the magnetic drain plug that I bought came with a solid washer.
Am I supposed to disregard this and just use the copper crush washer
that I bought from the dealer? Or use both?

thanks.

I simply used the copper one from the dealer. I don't see any point of using both.

What about just grabing some neodynium magnets from an old hard drive and sticking them on the side of your oil filter? And isn't the magnet only going to pick up steel? I'm assuming a lot of alloys aren't magnetic....

If you've got as much crap as those magnets picked up in that picture you've got some serious issues.....

Any ferric (iron containing) material, or any thing like cobalt, nickel (the only metals that are capable of magnetism) will be picked up. My guess is that those contaminants will also trap aluminum simply because of the way oil is going to be pressed against the piles that will eventually accumulate.

I had the same thought about magnets out of old hard drives. I have a ton of them. Can't hurt to put a couple on the oil filter...

You could probably also just zip tie them on, so a little shake doesn't pop them right off. A ring clamp or etc might suffice too.

One day ALL step-by-step guides will be as beautiful as this one!

Thank you Chubbs, :tiphat:

neodynium magnets won't come off unless you force them off by sliding them to a hard edge and prying them off. Try sticking one to your fridge and you'll see what I mean. ;)

Can you just use the washer that comes with the magnetic plug (I just bought the plug)?

In fact, even if you don't use the magnetic plug, why not just switch to a flat nylon washer (like many cars have) that can be re-used at each oil change? Is there anything that sacred about the copper crush washer?

You can use the reusable washer if you like. I never liked the idea of reusing drain bolt washers. Every car I changed the oil myself, I simply bought new washers with each oil change considering it costs less than $1.

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:icon18: This guy has balls to post in my thread and suggest me to use make up? :ban:

Hahaha, AK, are you leaving that spam in just so your message makes sense some time from now? :D:D:D

You guys know of a good place online to get the Red Line oil as cheap as possible or is 10/qt the best price available?

If you're willing to buy 12 at a time, this is the cheapest place I've found so far:
Motor Oils - Red Line 5W30 Motor Oil

$9.70/qt shipped.

Nice write up AK.
I thought the Celica was bad with the Beatrush aluminum under panel installed.
Still, looks easy enough.

AK just wanted to say thanks for the write up! Couldn't have been any easier :tup:

Does red line have shops where they change the oil? Similar to what Mobil 1 does. Thanks.

DIY Oil Change
 

I'm a consumate enthusiast who has learned through trial & error to do my own oil changes. The few times I allowed the dealer or another to change my oil/filter, it ended in disaster and/or considerable consternation...overfills, leaks, lots of spilled oil dripping from the frame, et al. I'm 61 years old, and would much prefer to let someone else deal with these maintenance chores, but I do it myself simply because I don't trust anyone else to do it right. That said, I'm currently driving an Acura TSX, but thinking about the 370Z (may wait for the roadster) as a second car. There is much to like about the 370Z, but the fact that one must remove the entire engine underpan just to change the oil is nearly a deal-breaker for me. On my TSX, there's a little plastic door (flap) secured by a single bolt that must be removed to access the drain plug. That's totally acceptable. Removing the entire underpan is not. It borders on the absurd, and I would think that even the dealership techs would be upset.

You're welcome. Good luck with the change.

I highly doubt they have "Redline shops" but MANY shop carry redline stuff or you can simply give it to them and they will change it for you.

As Sonic370Z posted, IT IS possible to do the oil change by removing 3 bolts toward the back of the plastic cover. I'm just an old school guy who do things the long and easy way. I like the comfort of not having anything under the car as I'm doing the oil change. If you have a motorized screwdriver, it makes your job a lot easier. But if it's too much, you can always just remove 3 bolts and get the job done.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...z/IMG_1028.jpg

I ordered my Redline and actually bought the HP-1008 filter today so I can change my oil next weekend. It's ridiculous how dinky the oil filter is! It seems like it's a little bit smaller than the filter on my 1.8L Honda and is probably 2x as small as the filter on one of my Mustangs (the 3.8L V6).

HatsWHat's the benifit of copper washer and for the magnets can u buy these at checkers?

DINKY! :bowrofl:

You need washer between bolt and oil pan. There's no benefit using copper vs other kind. It's essential. I don't know what's "Checkers" because we have "pep boys" and "Advance Auto" here. Just buy them online. It's easier and painless.

oh okay guess ima use stock washer since no benifits

I'm preparing the goods for my oil change:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...x/DSC01646.jpg

I haven't reached even 500 miles yet, but I like to be prepared. I plan on replacing the oil at 3000 miles. Then every 6000-7000 miles afterwards.

Now I only need those copper drain plug washers and some oil! Until I move back to California or order online, my only choice for motor oil seems to be:

Royal Purple 5W30, Mobil 1 5W30, Mobil 1 5W30 Extended Performance, Castrol Synthetic 5W30, and Valvoline 5W30.

I'd like to use Redline 5W30 but there isn't any place around here that stocks them for sale.:shakes head:

So for now I need recommendations on the choices I listed above. I've read some discussions about Royal Purple and Mobil 1 Synthetic oils to be just as good as Redline, but I'm curious to see what everyone else uses.

I only used Mobil 1 synthetic for my 2003 Honda S2000 and never had any issues.

Oh BTW: Does anyone know if you can purchase the Nissan copper drain plug washers online or are you only limited to the parts department of participating Nissan dealerships? The local Nissan dealerships within 20 miles of where I live currently do not carry them. :shakes head:

ok so i just bought everything needed for the oil change. i ordered redline online and also the filtermag and the magnetic drain plug.

the oil ran me $80 with shipping
filter mag $43 with shipping
magnetic drain plug $25 with shipping
K&N filter was about &17
copper drain plug washer $2.17 for two

this is the most expensive oil change that i have done lol

i cant believe how tiny the oil filter is. I went to auto zone and i asked them for the filter, they give it to me and i look at its size and im thinking to myself that this is not right. so i go to the nissan dealership to pick up the plug washer and i asked the clerk to also get the nissan filter too. After seeing the nissan filter i went back to auto zone and got the K&N.

Ak i have a question do i need to use rhino ramp or something like that to lift the car up? cant i just use the jack that comes with the car? did you use the ramps for safety reasons or for the convenience?

a. My local Auto store do not stock Redline oils either but you can buy them from Redlineoil.com . Also, I saw another seller on ebay who sells them for a little cheaper. I ordeded two quarts last weeks to test their customer service and shipping time and it was very quick. Check out his store: Redline 5W30 for $8.75/Q

b. Found some here MyNismo.com - NISSAN Oil Drain Plug Washer. Also, you can always use the ones that came with your magnetic drain bolt too :hello: Just make sure to put new washer with every oil change.

Both actually. I just feel comfortable putting my car on the ramp and doing the oil change. You can do it on the jack too but you can only raise one side of the car. How are you planning on raising the other side? $30 for a ramp will be good investment IMO.

You don't have to use the ramps. The ramps are for convenience and to save time.

I am looking to purchase some Blitz12000 ramps but I've heard that they won't clear 370Z with the sport package due to the front underbody spoiler.

I'm looking at your profile and it looks like you also have the sport package; something to keep in mind!

I read that using some 2x4's in front of the ramps can alleviate the issue so I may end up doing that. Let me know how it goes and what method you use:tiphat:

and AK: thanks for the website! I'm going to order the washers and oil online.:icon17:

Ive never changed the copper washer on any of my cars. not a drip.

Ehhh it's only like 40 cents so might as well.

so i just did the oil change today. i had to lift both sides of the car so that the oil can drain properly. i think next time im defenetly going to go with rhino ramps or something like that. thanks for the DIY AK, it made everything much easier and the car does idle much quieter and it feels smooth.

You're welcome. I'm glad everything went okay. :tup:

Did my first oil change over the weekend.

Had to put 2x4's in front of the rhino ramps like everyone else has said and that was fine.

Two thoughts on the filter -- why is it so damn small?? The guy at the parts store told me that the same filter is used on a CRB motorcylce, wtf??

Worse than that, whoever put that thing on at the factory is hercules!! I couldn't get it off and I couldn't find a filter wrench small enough to fit it without slipping.

yeah i had the same problem but i was lucky because my dad had this tool and it grabbed the filter pretty good.

Okay I got the magnetic filter and it came with 2 washers which one do I use. Lol I don't read Japanese so I don't know wat it says for each discription

i think the small one because thats the size of the stock one thats on the stock bolt.


by the way the car runs sooooooooooo smooth i cant believe it lol

im 1000 miles from first oil change and i have all that i will need. instead of redline i went with purple stuff. ive always used them and i will stick with them forever hehe