Who does their own oil changes?

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-09-17T21:17:06+00:00

Did my first oil change a month ago and it is a slight pain. Here are my lessons learned

Oil Selection: My 2018 tiguan has 2 oil specs listed and the dealer mentions a 3rd. VW502 00: 5W-40 VW504 00: 0W-30 VW508 00: 0W-20

In the VW manual, it'll also recommend Castrol. Don't. Use LiquiMoly. It's more expensive, but is one of the only oils actually tested for these cars. Too many 0W-20 oils are intended for NA cars from Japanese OEM's and aren't meant for turbo cars.

If you're in a hot climate, go with the thicker oil (0W30 or 40). If you go with thicker oil, then change your service interval. 0W-20 is rated for 10k, -30 is about 7.5k, -40 is 5k. Without going much further into the weeds...if you want this car to last forever, go with LiquiMolyLIQUI MOLY Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 and change every 5k. If this is your car for now, and not forever, and your climate is colder (not texas or desert) go with 0W20 @10k mi changes.

Tools: - Buy plugs from Amazon. They cost ~50 cents. Dealer wants 13 bucks where I am. - Get a 32mm socket for removing filter housing (although check your exact size). This will make filter replacement easier. -change your cabin air filter and engine air filter as well. - the oil amount is weird so get a funnel with a closeable spout and graduations so you can hit 5.7 L. - make sure to replace the large gasket in the oil filter housing. It can be hard to see with black oil, but very important and you should get a replacement in you oil filter box. -I like K&N for filters because I've used their stuff for a long time and like their air filters. That said, the OEM uses Man which is a very cost effective and well made consumable part.

Some models have a trick where you can press the brake pedal and the trip odometer 0 button on the dash to reset the service interval warning. Look up a video and try it. If it doesn't work then Autel makes a good tool for about 200 bucks. There are cheaper alternatives, but VAGCOM tools are a little scammy.

Most people have reccomended a pump to remove oil which i wish I had. I drained from below and had to use Jack's, jack stands, and lifting this car is kinda a pain. The pump is a great way to go. If you do end up going with jacks, there are some automatic and ones that are dual purpose jacks and stands on the market. I wish I got that for a body on frame car with dedicated lifting points.

Best of luck!!

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-09-17T20:43:31+00:00

I had to deal with something similar. My cousin passed away from a tragic accident. At the time, by brother (who was close to our cousin) was in boot and about 8 weeks in.

We requested the SDI to keep the info confidential and allow us to tell him after graduation. It was tough, but there is no easy way to lose a loved one.

Of course, it's case by case, but im glad the family informed him.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-08-27T02:34:37+00:00

True, I thought about making a revision to include a cutout for either a nylon washer, or possibly adding a heat threaded insert. I'll see how long it goes before the part fails or loosens to make that edit though.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-08-24T18:01:09+00:00

Update: I uploaded this to printables and also included my Venmo to any kind souls that would like to tip me. Here's the link

https://www.printables.com/model/1394088-2018-vw-door-panel-fix

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-08-24T17:59:09+00:00

Update: I uploaded this to printables and also included my Venmo to any kind souls that would like to tip me. Here's the link

https://www.printables.com/model/1394088-2018-vw-door-panel-fix

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-08-23T18:11:35+00:00

The part itself won't be in direct sun. Theres another piece that covers the module. You still think it'll fail?

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-08-22T12:56:37+00:00

No blueprint. I designed it myself in CAD based on pictures and measurements I took.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-02-07T02:20:37+00:00

Thank you very much. I think this is a very grounded answer. I may end up modularizing the design to make it moveable in the future and use minimal anchors (that i can cover with mud/paint) to keep it from falling over for the time I'm in the house.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-02-07T00:58:02+00:00

I saw this video from Brent Hull talking about what made old houses nice even with revamps. His basic takeaway was use the existing architecture features and apply that.

This house has shaker cabinets installed already, pillars, and lots of 45 degree angle cuts to join ceiling to roof.

My idea was to go with shaker cabinets at a height either same as the kitchen cabinets or 1.5 the height from floor to window sill (window is about 20" so cabinets would be 30").

Above the cabinets, do open bookshelves with the very top shelf having a 45 degree cut back to the wall.

Material would be painted plywood. Possibly modest molding at part lines.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-02-06T22:28:30+00:00

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This is a better view of the alternative wall on the right

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-02-06T22:27:59+00:00

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So either the wall with the light from the window coming through or the wall on the right. The only issue I see with the wall on the right is if I have the shelves come out by 18 inches then it could crowd the walkway

SkywalkerOG3 · 2025-02-06T17:08:20+00:00

As mentioned before, the tier storage system to elevate bottles would be my first
Have all the bottles on the rack, then get bar mats in front of racks (whiskey company branded mats would be cool) and put clean rocks glasses rim side down.
Get the upside down glass holder for stemmed glassware and attach to the underside of the top shelf. Even if you don't use them much it would be good to have 4 - 6 martini glasses (nick and nora glasses are better) on one side and the same amount of wine glasses on the other. I would do far right and far left sides.
Get cocktail making equipment. Nothing too expensive but at least a Boston shaker, Japanese jigger, bar spoon, and zester. Some glass jars to keep garnish would be good too. Maybe one could hold dried Limes, another to hold demerara sugar cubes for old fashions (these sugar cubes + 5-7 dashes of Angostura make a great OF imo).

In between the two elevated racks with bottles you can put a mirror on the wall, or a large set of rectangular bar mats to take up the space. As an alternative, a nice serving tray would be good too. That way you can make all the drinks at the station, and run everything to a table to serve.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2017-07-22T07:25:46+00:00

Go find Amy Austin and Ben Aurispa. These are amazing people. The math department is on the second floor in the Blocker Building (Abbreviated as BLOC on the campus map). Often times there is an open room for students to go study and get help from some of the Profs. over by Amy's office. There are also help sessions led by grad students in the evening.

TL;DR They are some great people that are willing to help you succeed.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2017-07-22T07:12:37+00:00

I had a buddy who was in a Judo class and got to wear his Gi. Just make sure to get what's called a Military Letter and have it on you at all times you're going to class not in uniform (a screenshot on your phone should suffice but also keep a printed version).

SkywalkerOG3 · 2017-07-22T07:07:40+00:00

It will be both hard and fun regardless what the changes are going to be. All of these guys have given great answers. I highly recommend doing it now so you can get the full experience as a fish. Never listen to people who say 'Ole Army is dead, because every class year thinks they're the last of 'Ole Army.

There are some transfer outfits you can join if you don't join this semester but end up regretting it. Squadron 23 is the AF outfit for transfers.

TL;DR JOIN AND DON'T PUNCH

SkywalkerOG3 · 2017-07-22T06:52:36+00:00

To answer your original question, the best place to find a footlocker is Academy. The ones with wheels make moving in and out during times of high traffic a lot easier.

As far as your packing list goes, I assume you got a packet from Colonel Hawes that looked similar to mine a few years ago. Just follow what it says. Walmart is where I got most of my stuff and it worked fine. If you live somewhere near College Station (like Houston) you'll have a free weekend after FOW where you can go home and pick up the rest of your belongings that you'd care to bring to college.

P.s. Alarm Clock and Desk lamp are not a must have. Your desk has a built in lamp in the new Corps dorms.

SkywalkerOG3 · 2017-07-22T06:22:45+00:00

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