I was searching for an F-type, decided to buy one but there are challenges ahead. I was looking for a low mileage (under 30k miles) one all around the country with a budget of around $34k. I found a 2016 F-Type Base for $29k from a private party. The lowest cost from dealers were about $32k plus out the door. One owner who had bought it as a weekend toy, has under 16k miles. The owner passed away and his son is selling the car. Son says his Dad loved the car and in his last couple of years, he would go over and drive him around. In any case, the car is some 800+ miles from my home.

I got the Carfax and it shows the last oil change done in 2023, though the car has only been driven about 1500 miles since its last oil change. I am flying into that city tomorrow, intending to land there around Noon, pick up the car and start for home. It’s an 800 mile long trip in a car that has not been driven much and likely not driven too fast either.

i thought I would get an oil and filter change before starting to head back but the Jaguar dealer cannot give me an oil change appointment at such short notice. One European car place gave me an appointment for tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. It’s going to be expensive and puts me right in rush hour traffic when done. My question is whether I could just drive to any old Lube place, one of those drive thru places, and get it done? Online, it says oil changes on the F-Type are easy. If I could do that, I can likely head out the city before traffic gets heavy. I have never driven the F-Type before and, even if it’s an automatic, be out of heavy traffic.

Any other precautions I should take? Look8ng forward to rejoining this community after a long while.

 

I wouldn’t let the quick change idiots touch my cars. I would check the level and if it’s good I would drive it home. Buy all the self change stuff you will need and change it yourself at home. Pretty much what I just did with my new to me F Pace I bought in KS.

Coolant level and coolant leaks would be more concerning. Be hyper aware of hot coolant smells.

 

I wouldn't expect the quick-change places to have the oil specified for the F-Type, nor would I let them touch my car. Now if the levels are correct and there aren't any visible leaks, I'd go ahead and drive it home. If you are really concerned about the oil being changed, just take the 3pm appointment. Then go have a meal and a look around before you get started on your way home. I picked my car up in KC Missouri and drove back to Georgia, roughly 1000 miles and no problems with the car at all. It hadn't had an oil change but was still good to go.

 

Congrats and welcome! To reinforce what the others say - don't go to a quick lube place, will be worse than what you have in there. I do agree, oil that old needs to be changed. When you get home, order a mityvac (get the right size), filter wrench, the right oil (FCP Euro sells a LiquiMoly kit with filter), and DIY. Here's a video showing how: super easy. BTW it's a GREAT car in traffic - super easy to drive and you get to show off your new car to everyone

 

Buy a Mityvac and change the oil yourself. You don't even have to get under the car. You can extract the oil and change the filter from under the hood. No need to crawl under the car. Lots of threads on here about doing that. And yes it extracts just as much oil as if you drained it from under the car.

 

I agree that you should avoid the quick chnage places. They will not have the right oil. The quality of oil that is very high and I personally wouldn't have an issue with 800 miles of freeway driving with the oil that is in there.

I disagree with the use of the Mityvac for regular oil changes. MityVacs don't get all the old oil out. In my experience, everytime I've tried to take a shortcut, I've paid for it later. I could see in a pinch, but consistently after time, I'd be concerned.

 

Totally not on topic, but while I know it is true when I think about it, it was jarring to realize Kansas City is that far from GA!

 

Congrats on the purchase! You buy the story as much as you buy the car, and sounds like your car has a great story and much love associated! Enjoy!

 

If your state requires a front plate (and enforces it), many forum members like the Sto n Sho, for easy plate attachment and removal. My state does, but doesn’t enforce it, so I put my tow-hook mount on once a year for state inspection.

 

Congrats on the purchase. I’m with you, I would be wanting the oil changed before heading out as well. If it was me, I would be waiting for the 3pm appointment and hanging out in rush hour right after. Traffic issues aren’t fun, but I can’t think of a more ideal situation for passing time in traffic than doing so in a new to me F Type! If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel better about the drive with new oil in it as well. All that said, I do need to get a mighty vac.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Just want to remind you, for those who didn’t quite read my post right, I am 77 years old, can’t get down to change oil. The big question is whether to change oil there or drive hours on end on the highway with oil that has been in car for 2+ years! I am not sure there needs to be specific Jaguar oil, that a high quality synthetic oil won’t do. Both Walmart and Amazon sell oil filters compatible with my Jaguar F type. A simple google search reveals those. So, while it may be preferable to do oil change thru Jaguar, in a pinch, is it better to get it done and drive or risk 2 year old oil that may break down on a long distance trip?

 

I get a used oil analysis done every year and if the current fill is of the JLR recommended type, I would not hesitate to check the level and if OK, drive home. Seriously. I would not worry about that at all. Better to get it home on the proper oil than deal with a local oil change shop, by far. Fill up the tank before you start, make sure the tires look good and are at the correct pressure, then enjoy.

 

What does the dealer say about needing to change the oil?

I would NOT go to a quick change place.. I'd also stay away from any filter other than a Jaguar, Mahle, or other quality name.

The YouTube video link shows how to do it right from the engine compartment. You do not have to go under the car for ANY of it... There is a 'straw' under the oil filler cap that the MityVac connects to and extracts the oil. The filter access is under the engine cover, also easily removed from there with a 90mm filter wrench and a ratchet. As long as you refill with how ever much oil you take out, you should be OK.. All Fs are not the same for oil requirements. On my 2017 V-6, I generally take out 7.25 LITRES and put that back in.


. The Mityvac comes in two versions.. one you hand pump and the other is connected to an air compressor. Even with the hand pump, it is not a strenuous job. You could get the oil filter, filter wrench and ratchet now, bring it with you, then buy the oil and Mityvac once you get to where the car is (or buy it online to be picked up at car's location). The dealership may even be NICE enough to provide a work area for you. I would hope the dealer might at least be able to sell you the oil.

As for 'expensive' European car place... standard dealer rate is $300-$400 for oil change.. filter, oil, labor.
Perhaps, then stay overnight and get a fresh start the next morning? You'd be driving the 800 miles in daylight. You should also get a AAA membership, so if something does go astray, you can get a flatbed to a safe place. You can use it for any car, but you need to have it 3-4 days before requesting service.

https://www.acg.aaa.com/aaa-membersh...ip-levels.html

Sto n sho, so you don't have to drill license plate holes in the front unless they're there already

https://stonsho.com/collections/f-type

 

Second this, it's such an easy car to change the oil on yourself, doesn't even require lifting it up.

My one caution - be gentle with the rubber gasket ring on the oil filter cover. Note that a new one comes with the filter so be sure to replace it, and wipe it gently with a fingertip of oil, and spin the filter cover back in straight, making sure the rubber gasket doesn't get bunched up. Otherwise it can get pinched and some oil leaks out under boost.

This is the kind of stuff a general shop like a quick lube doesn't know, so you're better off doing it yourself.

 

Use honest to goodness JLR oil filter kits. The O ring on the aftermarket kits leak a bit, covering the alternator in oil and leading to premature alternator failure. I’ve used Napa Gold and Mahle and they both leak. Switched to JLR, which are actually less expensive, and no leaks.