Enjoy or dread changing your oil? Multi vechiles

Status
Not open for further replies.
The Volkswagen is surprisingly easy to change. Pop it up on the ramps, remove the splash shield, and everything is there. I actually prefer the cartridge filter on this one. It has a nice drainage nipple that makes it almost mess free. Before I even attempted to remove it the first time I bought the correct tool (Hazet 2169) it was $40 shipped, but is so worth it. Fits correct and makes it easy to use a torque wrench on it.

The Equinox was very simple as well, the filter was right on the bottom.

The Toyota, well for now I have no clue. I know everything is right there on the bottom. I imagine once the free service is over I'm buying the appropriate tool to get it off with. I'd rather spend extra on a good tool than fight with a cheap one.
 
Originally Posted By: Delta


The Toyota, well for now I have no clue. I know everything is right there on the bottom. I imagine once the free service is over I'm buying the appropriate tool to get it off with. I'd rather spend extra on a good tool than fight with a cheap one.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015PK...ailpage_o03_s01

that's the correct one, worked great for me before I traded in my newer camry
 
I made ramps out of 2x10's, so it's much easier. My Versa is a jiffy to do since the filter is in the front lower side of the compartment.
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
All of my cars save the Mazda are dead easy to change. The Mazda uses a cartridge filter element mounted under the car with a separate drain plug for the filter housing. Fortunately, my Mazda dealer offers free oil changes for as long as I own the car.


My Mazda 3 is a 2012 and it has a standard type spin-on filter. I think it was only a couple of years earlier that Mazda made that change. But, if you like, there are a number of kits out there to convert the cartridge housing to a standard base for a spin-on filter.

My GF's Lexus has a cartridge, with no drain plug. Removing it is no messier than taking off a regular filter. The only part that is messier is trying to drain as much oil as possible from the media and disposing of it. I save my used filters in their original boxes for recycling. The cartridge media has to go into a used grocery bag first. I guess the economy of materials appeals to me a bit.
 
Honda Civic oil filter placement (2002 Si) leads to hand burns on the manifold. I learned to drive for less than 5 miles before changing.
Subaru Crosstrek---Popped the hood for the first time and said, "what's this blue filter right on top that is easier to deal with than filling wiper fluid?" "Oh, that's the oil filter." "Huh, funny spot for a filter. What am I supposed to swear at during my oil changes now? That kind of takes the fun out of changing the oil."
 
I've always enjoyed changing my own oil.

I've had a couple vehicle where it was more work than others because of the underbell pans('13 Escape and '06 C350). Then my previous Mach 1 had a sideways filter that made a good mess. But I don't mind doing that stuff to my own car because I know I'm either taking on and off the underbelly pan correctly or cleaning up the mess thouroughly. Also, I know I drain the oil pan much better than a shop will.
 
Originally Posted By: jdavis
I have a 2004 Honda Accord (4 cyl), 2008 Toyota Tundra (8 cyl), 2013 Nissan Rogue (4 cyl), and 2006 BMW 330XI (6 cyl) that I regularly change the oil on myself.

From easiest to most painful:

1. BMW
2. Nissan
3. Toyota
4. Honda

The BMW is ridiculously quick and easy to change the oil on with the oil filter right on the top of the engine. The car is low but manageable on ramps if I suck in my gut to get the drain plug off.

Your BMW should have oil dipstick tube, with a fluid extractor you can change oil and filter without ramp or raise the car.

The easiest to change oil of my cars is E430. The cartridge oil filter in on top of the engine near the front end, it can be changed in less than 10 minutes, which is the time needed to siphon 8 quarts oil with an oil extractor. If every car has this easy oil change, all quick lubes will fill bankruptcy and every garage will have an oil extractor.

Same for doing ATF, insert the hose into ATF tube and extract as much fluid as dropping the pan or remover the drain bolt.
 
Best thing I ever did for oil changes was buying a set of Rhino Ramps and Fumoto Valves for all my rides -- except the Harley. All my vehicles are simple/easy to do basic oil & filter changes. I actually look forward to doing them!! BITOG addict I take it!!
 
Hondas are dead easy if you have ramps.
I've had eight of them, so I know from where I speak.
Subarus are dead easy with no ramps required.
My old BMW is easy as long as you're careful about the washers on the through bolt of the canister.
Oil changes are usually a relaxing break from more serious thoughts.
It's kind of fun to concentrate on something outside of the normal routine.
I must be a little slow, because I actually enjoy doing oil chnages on all of our cars, of which we have seven.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Your BMW should have oil dipstick tube, with a fluid extractor you can change oil and filter without ramp or raise the car.

+1

Oil/filter changes on older BMWs are crazy easy, and no mess, so I do enjoy doing them.

Now, most of the new BMWs no longer have oil dipstick tubes, so that's not an option.
 
For no other reason other then it is mindless and my quiet time, I enjoy changing the oil in all of our cars. The GTO has a 20 LB skid plate is a pain but manageable.
 
Current cars I have. VW CC and Tiguan, same engine.
They have spin on filter next to oil dipstick on top of engine. It is even easier then cartridge filter. You just spin it off and then spin on new filter. As long as you hold old filter in vertical position, valve prevents oil getting out.
To replace filter I need usually 2 minutes.
Rest is easy. CC does not have full skid plate, and Tiguan, the longest that it takes is skid plate to get off since it has 12 screws.
Now, older Passat I had, B5.5 1.8T was the worst! Filter was on a side, next to exhaust manifold. It was huge diesel filter, so I always got burned.
So from easiest to most difficult of all cars I owned:
1. VW CC & Tiguan.
2. Skoda Octavia
3. Mazda Millenia
4. Opel Vectra B
5. Lancia Lybra 2.4JTD
6. VW Passat 1.8T B5.5 2005.
 
Originally Posted By: jdavis
From easiest to most painful:

1. BMW
2. Nissan
3. Toyota
4. Honda

From easiest to most annoying:

1. 1996 Ford Explorer 4.0L V6 (mom's old car)
2. 2005 Lincoln Aviator 4.6L V8 (mom's new car)
3. 1998 Buick LeSabre 3.8L V6 (dad's daily)
4. 2001 F-150 5.4L V8 (my daily)
5. 1989 Chevy Camaro RS 305 TBI V8 (our "summer/car show" car)

Why?

You'd think my truck (my F-150) should be number one, since I literally don't have to lift it or ramp it to change the oil... and the drain plug is easy... Buuut, it's the gosh darn oil filter placement that is a pain in the butt. I literally have to put myself in the most awkward position to get my hand up on the filter. It's ridiculous. It's a side mount, in a horrible location. I kid you not; I have to take the old filter off with my left hand, and put the new one on with my right (yeah, I'm right handed). It's just because of the leverage issue.

The Explorer and the Aviator are simple. The plug and filters are in easy locations.

Both the LeSabre and the Camaro are too low, and have to be either jacked or ramped. The low part of their bumpers literally rub on the ramps when driving them onto the ramps.

You may be surprised that I say the Camaro is the biggest pain. It's because it rubs too bad on the ramps we have, and it has to be jacked. I HATE jacks. I know that I should feel fine and dandy after placing the jack stands under it after I jack it, but... I don't know... I just feel safer using ramps.

~ Triton
 
Our vehicles include:

Ford Explorer
Crown Victoria
Mustang

I dont mind changing oil in any of them,just part of owning a vehicle.

thumbsup2.gif
 
I dont mind changing the oil in anything.. I just dread the cleanup.
smile.gif


My dads raptor has an access plate that needs removed from the "skid plate" to get to the filter. That as well as the already mentioned filter location makes it a bit tedious.

The GF's Volvo has the debris pan that needs removed to get to the drain plug and filter housing. 6 bolts. Dads Audi should have one of those but it doesnt. Lol.

Everything else is pretty simple and can be done without ramps with the exception of the Audi. I have yet to change the FF out in moms 'Yoda yet so we shall see. I need to figure out what filter wrench it needs.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR

Your BMW should have oil dipstick tube, with a fluid extractor you can change oil and filter without ramp or raise the car.


Nah, no dipstick tube on it
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Dallas69
How do you check your oil?

I think it's all in the computer on newer lux cars. I remember reading a review a year or so ago and that was one downside is there wasn't a dipstick so they had to let it sit for X minutes and then go into the copmuter and run a diagnostics or whatnot on te vehicle. Stupid if you ask me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
What should I do with ten quarts of M1 Euro 0w40?
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
Hohn
tired
Help with recommendation for motor oil for Toyota and Nissan daily drivers
2 3
Replies
54
Views
5K
tired
D
Oil experts, please share your knowledge.
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
kschachn
R
2025 -- (up to 4/30/2025) YTD Totals: "Post your latest oil change"
Replies
5
Views
1K
perkz
2005jettatdi
Accord hybrid oil change
Replies
2
Views
432
KrisZ
Back
Top Bottom