2012 or 13 with Easiest Oil Change

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Looking around again for a new car. A Camry or Passat were high on the list. The Camry seems a pain to do oil changes on from the videos I've seen. While not really a deciding factor just wondering which new cars (mid or large sedan) have the easiest oil changes. I'm use to ramps for raising, spin-on filters.
 
You won't have to worry about oil changes for the first 25k miles on the Camry. Since its covered under their 2yr/25k mile maintenance plan.
 
Doesn't VW use a cartridge type filter on top? If so that is a big plus in my book. Tough to beat the 2y/25K mile maintenance plan by Toyota. My Mazda CX7 is probably one of the worst. My car has an upside down cartridge filter. Surprisingly, I can still do an oil/filter chage in under 30 minutes using my ramps. The time difference to do my worst vs a top side spin filter is of no consequence over the life of a vehicle using 5-7.5K oil changes.
 
You're not going to beat a 2.4L Malibu for easiest oil change. It has a top mounted cartridge that doesn't leave a drop when you pull it, and it is right next to the dipstick.

The 3.6 on the Avenger/200 should be just as easy.
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
You're not going to beat a 2.4L Malibu for easiest oil change. It has a top mounted cartridge that doesn't leave a drop when you pull it, and it is right next to the dipstick.

The 3.6 on the Avenger/200 should be just as easy.


Even my 05 with the 2.2 has the same setup. Takes me 10 minutes to do the whole thing and that includes waiting until there isnt a drop coming out when I drain it.
 
2012 Cruze with a 1.4T engine. Cartridge filter located on top and works very well with an evacuator. No mess, no spilled oil.
 
Anything German or with a cartridge filter since it seems other manufactures are catching on.

Going under the car is now no longer required.

Its so clean and easy its silly not to do it yourself. In the time it takes you to bring it to the dealer, you can have it done and be on your way.
 
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I agree with sciphi and hattaresguy, with cartridge oil filter on top of the engine and with a fluid extractor anyone can change oil and filter in less time than driving the car to dealer.
 
'11+ Forester
or 2013 Outback. Both have variants of the FB25 engine. Standard oil filter right on top and plenty of ground clearance to get to the oil plug without stands/jacks.
 
If the Passat uses the same setup as the older 2.5s and 2.0Ts then that one is probably the worst one.
 
We prepaid service on our Camry out to 100k (probably not a great idea but not part of the discussion), and I suspect I'll pay to have oil changes done on it. Having a VW and having always done topside oil changes, I'm not sure I could go back to crawling in the dirt to do this routine task.
 
Any new Chysler with Pentastar. I hated the cartridge filter when I had one on my previous 2.3L Fusion. It was bottom-mounted, very messy, huge pain. The top mounted one on my Jeep is perfect. No more mess.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I agree with sciphi and hattaresguy, with cartridge oil filter on top of the engine and with a fluid extractor anyone can change oil and filter in less time than driving the car to dealer.


This is the best. I dont understand why companies put cartridge filters on the underside. Boo!
 
I can't imagine even considering this when deciding on a new (or used for that matter) car. I'm sorta caught up with trivial things like fuel economy, reliability, comfort and whether it's at all fun to drive. My Kizashi has a (small)skid plate that has to be removed to drop the oil filter...not easy but not overly difficult either...and I STILL love the car.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
If the Passat uses the same setup as the older 2.5s and 2.0Ts then that one is probably the worst one.


Not really, because you don't have to buy super secret tools.....

You'll need (other than ramps, already stated by OP):
T25 torx (to remove the belly pan screws)
36mm 6-point socket
3/8" torque wrench
3/8" socket wrench

It's easy to do as DIY.

air filter, on the other hand, can be a PITA.
 
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