I changed the engine oil today and was shocked. I have a horror story about a local tuner who damaged my car (https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...ror-story.html).

I changed the oil with Mobil 1 5w-30 the day before he started tuning my car. It was 788 miles between that oil change and today and the oil in my car was blacker than my tires. I'm sure this is due to the overheating my car went through on the dyno.

I'm starting to get what I need to change the oil in the TC-SST and could use some advice. I'm going to be changing the transmission oil myself since I am sure that it has been burnt as well. I have read up on how to do it but my question is how much fluid to buy? I have read it takes ~5.8qts doing a simple drain and fill and the procedure calls for doing this 2 times (to get the fluid out of the filter and cooler).

My question is how do I check to make sure I have the right amount of fluid going back in (since I didn't read about a dipstick anywhere)?


Thanks!

 

In regards to the oil, every time I've changed mine it's been pretty black as well, and one time it was only 1500 miles that had been put on the car since the last change, so this might actually be a somewhat normal condition. Are you using a high quality oil filter though? As far as changing the oil in the TC-SST, I think I'm going to leave this up to the Mitsu Dealership so that if I have any problems with my transmission and need it replaced under warranty, they have a record that all the preventative maintenance services were done on time and by THEM, so that way I'm not giving the dealership a reason to deny my warranty claims if I ever have problems with the tranny like so many other people have discussed on this website.(hopefully NOT!!!).

 

I've been changing my own oil in my cars for the last 11 years. I'm used to seeing the color changing slowly to a darker color but less than 800 miles isn't enough time for even royal purple to lose it's purple color!

I've been trying the Xtended Guard FRAM filter for the last oil change and this one. The previous times I have used Purolator filters. I usually change at 4,000 miles and I can't remember any of them looking like this. The oil looked pitch black (blacker than my tires) and smelled off.

The thing that got me is that I'm used to the old oil being thicker than the new stuff and this oil was like water. It wasn't milky colored (no coolant in there thank goodness) and so now I think it's time to do some preventive maintenance on the transmission oil as well.

 

I had an idea. Could I get a generic dipstick from the parts store and make my own temporary dipstick? I was thinking that I could put it in the tube until it stops on something (or I reach the end of the dip stick). Then mark where the fluid stops on the dipstick before I start. This way I would have a reference point for when I'm done.

I think this might be a winner but would like to hear if anyone has any warnings about it?

Thanks!

 

Seems like a good idea. I want to change mine soon too and would like a way to confirm oil level also. I'm just not sure how you would be sure your temporary dip-stick would probe the same place in the trans both times.

 

I thought about that and was thinking I would either push it down until it stops on something (hopefully this works) OR push it down until the handle/cap of the temporary dipstick rests on the top of the fill tube. It looks like I can pickup either a 24" or 36" dipstick from the local parts store for about $15.


anyone got an idea on which size might work best? 24 or 36"

 

in general motor oil does get black fairly quickly in these and other turbocharged cars. it just means the oil is doing it's job - you should send your oil in for analysis to be certain (ie blackstone labs). but black oil doesn't the oil was "burnt" or anything like that. burning oil would come out in a blue smoke out of the exhaust, in general

also, royal purple isnt the best oil to use on evos, so i don't know if that extends to the newer gen cars as well. most people run mobil 1 or amsoil.. fram doesn't make the best oil filters in the world and that makes a difference too. but in general i wouldnt worry about the color of the oil, they get black really quickly for turbo cars

 

Like kyooch said current motor oils turn black very quickly. That color doesn't necessary means that its worn out.

 

If you're going to use a Fram oil filter I would recommend the "Tough Guard" model, because it's their highest rated filter when it comes to trapping dirt and impurities(I think it's rated at 99% efficiency which is the same as a Mobile 1 filter and all the other highest rated filters on the market).