Oil change without jacking car?

[Michigan]

Anyone change their own oil without lifting the vehicle?

I have an 03 Tahoe z71

I got underneath today to see if I was able to access the drain plug and I could.

What are your thoughts on changing the oil without lifting? This is coming from a guy who is not a diy type but it seams pretty easy and straight forward. Just need a catch pan and a filter wrench? Or can I get away without a filter wrench?

Also what are your thoughts on using 5 quarts of Mobil 1 5w-30 and one quart marvel mystery oil or should I stick with 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and see what happens? In my other thread I posted about a loud possible lifter tap or piston slap noise

I just bought this truck with 178k miles. The last guy just did an oil change with pennzoil 5-30 synthetic so it has new oil in it. Maybe I just ride on this oil for a while. Going to get the truck insured next week and start driving it. It's a spare vehicle for me but will serve a purpose in the winter

 

[Sasquatch]

I use ramps to change the oil but it would be easy without them. If the oil filter was not over tightened you should be able to remove it by hand but most people ape them on so it`s not a bad idea to pick up a filter wrench just in case.

I have never used marvel mystery oil so i have no opinion on that.

If the oil is fresh i would just leave it for now and hopefully when you put some miles on it the tick will go away if it`s a lifter.

 

[retiredsparky]

The noise is your indicator that most likely the cam is taking a hit every other engine revolution. If you are ok with that, know that a new lifter is much cheaper than replacing the cam. Those machined lobes do not make good hammers.

 

[Rocket Man]

I use a cheap strap wrench for the filter. And ramps make it easier.

 

[Michigan]

The noise is your indicator that most likely the cam is taking a hit every other engine revolution. If you are ok with that, know that a new lifter is much cheaper than replacing the cam. Those machined lobes do not make good hammers.

Is this something that needs attention asap?

How much would a cam and lifter cost if I were not to replace it now and something were to happen or would that cause the engine to be junk? I don't understand how engines work. Sorry. I'm going to have it checked soon and possibly change out the lifters.

I explained in another thread that it sounds like a Diesel engine

 

[OhFourChevy]

Yes, a lifter is cheap, a new cam can cost you quite a bit

 

[adventurenali92]

Changing without the Jack is easy. Technically I do. I have a slight slope up to my concrete slab I park on so I back my car up over the dip where the incline starts at the flat and that's just like jacking it up. Its basically the same thing. Couple extra feet of clearance and I can roll under and get to the drain plug. I use a filter wrench only because on the 6.0 V8 the filter is up against the bottom of the oil pan and it's kind of a bear to get a good grip on and twist out. So I just use the filter wrench. All my previous vehicles were easy to get the filter in and out by hand because of location so my Denali is different in that aspect. Not sure where the filter is on the 5.3 V8 in your tahoe But it's still very much a diy maintenance item. I only use name brand name on oil but that's because im super picky and I pay extra for the name brand. Mobil-1 is a good brand.

 

[mizzouguy]

If you can get the nose end uphill a little, as the oil drains out the pan it may just miss running all over a skid plate just below the pan lol. Plus it helps it drain easier out of the flat bottomed pan. LOL I thought flat bottomed girl as i typed that.
Anyway, yeah if you can fit under it you don't have to jack it up. My tall ass needs the room tho. I'd also recommend the longer version of the filter, makes it easier to grab than that short sucker it calls for. Look up the filter for like an 01 model tahoe.

 

[Batterycap]

Get some ramps. It just makes life easier. Also, I have noted that coming at the drain plug and filter from the drivers side is easier than from the front. I have done it both ways. Get the filter off anyway you can, and then hand tighter back on. Get a plastic gripper, or a set of gloves with gripper on the fingers. Finally, get you a good piece of long cardboard. Slide it under the vehicle, and then lay on it to do your thing. It makes it so much easier to move around on the ground, and can catch those errant oil drippings that otherwise will mark up the driveway. At the end, before getting up, say out loud - I have tightened the drain plug. I have tightened the oil filter. I know - sounds silly. It ain't silly if it prevents a stream of oil from squirting out upon cranking up.

 

[Padraig]

I like the K&N filter. The 1 inch nut on the end makes it easy to remove plus it is a good filter.

Padraig