Small car issues

**Partyball** · 04-27-11, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

2007 Mini Cooper Hatchback (not S)

I probably could of guessed a Mini for you Bunni.

**Bunni** · 04-27-11, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Partyball

I probably could of guessed a Mini for you Bunni.

oo also, what would be a good rule of thumb for how many a miles before needing an oil change?

**Partyball** · 04-27-11, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

oo also, what would be a good rule of thumb for how many a miles before needing an oil change?

Each car has its specs. It depends on driving conditions and whatnot. I do mine like once a year but I normally only drive 10k miles a year. I drive a diesel and get the oil tested so I am in a different category. Most cars are between 5k-7.5k on normal driving conditions.

**Bunni** · 04-27-11, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Partyball

Each car has its specs. It depends on driving conditions and whatnot. I do mine like once a year but I normally only drive 10k miles a year. I drive a diesel and get the oil tested so I am in a different category. Most cars are between 5k-7.5k on normal driving conditions.

k well let me rephrase. I drive about 80 miles a day, and push the mini to the MAX everyday, every second i am driving. :S

**CivilWars** · 04-27-11, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

k well let me rephrase. I drive about 80 miles a day, and push the mini to the MAX everyday, every second i am driving. :S

So you're doing like 50, maybe 55. =P

**SmokenScion** · 04-27-11, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

k well let me rephrase. I drive about 80 miles a day, and push the mini to the MAX everyday, every second i am driving. :S

every month.

**deathgodusmc** · 04-27-11, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bunni

oo also, what would be a good rule of thumb for how many a miles before needing an oil change?

Depends on what you want to go buy. I have an 07 f150 fx2 that sats it only has to be changed about every 5k to 7.5 k. The oil companies however say the additives in their product begin to break down at 3k. The reality is the additives begin to break down the moment friction and heat hit them. As a rule of thumb i go by every 3k. The reason being if you can provide proof that the oil was changed every 3k and the engine fails due to improper lubrication and you dont have a mechanical break down such as a oil pump went bad prior to the failure you have a legitmate claim. Most times as long as you can provide proof you will not have to pay to replace the engine.

Of course this only works if you bought the car new and planned ahead. So odds are you dont have that protection to begin with. So it comes down to who you want to listen to the dealer or the manufactor of the oil.

In 25 years of working on and building cars i have never once touched a mini cooper. Im not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing.

Now do you just want to know how to do a general tune up or did you have something mileage related in mind? Also you have to take into consideration what the mileage of the vehcile is when performing maintainance. Some items can be due for service by mileage even though the car runs and drives perfectly. So you tell me what are you looking to do and i will give you step by step instructions.

**Bunni** · 04-27-11, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by SmokenScion

every month.

Even on premium fuel and various qualities of oil?

would it be easy to do an oil change myself (without a car lift, on a car that sits, maybe, MAYBE 6 inches off the ground)?

**laggyNgroovy** · 04-27-11, 05:18 PM

Bust/Bunni..... you would be WELL served by investing in either a Haynes or Chilton's manual. Use Death to explain things in more details, but it gives you a step by step (with pictures) for every procedure you ever want to do. Read the steps, get a feeling for it, come ask Death a lot of questions, then read the steps again and give it a shot.

I did a complete head gasket replacement on my car just following the Haynes manual. Besides, you will learn more about every spec your car has in that manual.