Most annoying vehicle to change oil?
- Thread starter Elkins45
- Start date
I had a F250 where the oil plug was directly above a cross member and it would spread oil over a several feet wide area if allowed to drain without some kind of diverter.
Tundra
4Runner
Have both.
Both have extensive plates to remove to access the cartridge filter.
Lubing the driveshafts "properly" is a pain.
4Runner
Have both.
Both have extensive plates to remove to access the cartridge filter.
Lubing the driveshafts "properly" is a pain.
My 04 Chevy Colorado with the five cylinder had a neat little plastic tray with a spout mounted on the crossmember under the filter. It was a nice touch and I appreciated it.
I haven’t had any that would keep me from doing it, but the worst I had was a 2018 Passat with the VR6. Thirteen (yes 13) screws in 2 different sizes to get the large under panel off. Then the filter was a cartridge filter that faced down at an angle. The Germans were clever enough to put a drain plug in the filter top but it was still a mess.
But I loved that car.
But I loved that car.
FYI, I recently discovered and purchased a new type of fastener to replace the terrible plastic push fasteners frequently used to secure undercarriage panels. These are single use fasteners that have to be cut off for removal, but are cheap enough so it's cost effective. No more struggling to remove push fasteners since these work like nylon Tie-wraps.
I think any engineer who thinks it's ok to hang things from plastic push fasteners should be shot. They're simply not intended to hold things in tension like that.
Tell said engineer to hang a potted plant from his ceiling with a plastic push fastener and report back
2006 Nissan Sentra 1.8L. Oil filter is high up the back side of the block, above the exhaust flex pipe. I had to reach up to bicept level, to crack the filter loose. Oil would flow down, covering the exhaust. After the change, oil would slowly drip down, onto the driveway, and it would take some miles to burn all the oil of the exhaust.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
My previous 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0L was a nightmare. 2 skid plates that went all the way to the rear of the transmission. A total of about 20 bolts, nuts, and clips to get off. And they were heavy to aligning them back up and sliding all around under the car was terrible. I did that a few times, so when I got my 2018 Genesis I vowed to never change the oil myself, the dealer had a great deal of 3 synthetic oil changes for $150. First time I’ve ever had someone change my oil.
2020 Ram Oil filter is surrounded on all sides. Makes huge mess.
also messy because vehicle was krowned I end up with black oil/dirt marks all over me from the "bearhug around the axle/suspension" to loosen it.
Oil filter drains all over the 4x4 axle actuator.. (that currently isnt functioning as far as I can tell)
Bonus points the oil drain plug is horizontal and 2" away from the sway bar oil shoots out impacts at the top, middle, and bottom.. going all over
while its draining.
If it was on lift in the air.. might be easier.
also messy because vehicle was krowned I end up with black oil/dirt marks all over me from the "bearhug around the axle/suspension" to loosen it.
Oil filter drains all over the 4x4 axle actuator.. (that currently isnt functioning as far as I can tell)
Bonus points the oil drain plug is horizontal and 2" away from the sway bar oil shoots out impacts at the top, middle, and bottom.. going all over
while its draining.
If it was on lift in the air.. might be easier.
Definitely easier but still messy.
I usually just use an entire can of brake cleaner after I'm finished with our director's '19 Rebel....but that's also easier on your feet
Anything that needs to be jacked up to do it. 
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2020
- Messages
- 192
2014 Ford Fusion.
Have to remove the entire underbody panel to access the oil filter. There is no little panel to just remove the oil filter.
I eventually just left the underbody panel off the car.
Have to remove the entire underbody panel to access the oil filter. There is no little panel to just remove the oil filter.
I eventually just left the underbody panel off the car.
I've had quite a few vehicles that were very simple to do. The Mustang's drain plug and filter were right there in front of my face. The Canyon is a snap. But this Kia is weird. They put the drain plug on the front of the pan bottom. This means that when a do-it-yourselfer puts it up on ramps, all the oil runs to the back of the pan. I have to use a suction hose to get it all out. I have no idea why they put the drain plug on the front.
Older Civics with the oil filter high up on the back side of the block. Lying under the car, there's no way to remove the filter without filling your armpit with oil.
I have removed and discarded a number of these for same reason.
'06 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Filter is located high up on the engine block, driver's side. No skid plate removal necessary. Access from behind left front wheel, only with arm fully extended. Placement guarantees to unleash an instant torrent of warm/hot 5W-30 motor oil flooding your right arm pit.
A frisson to rival any of your memorable 'firsts'.
A frisson to rival any of your memorable 'firsts'.
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My 2012 Nissan Frontier v6. A quick look will lead you to think it will be easy. They have a small window in the splash shield but it does not line up with the filter. They also have a spill guide under filter but it is not long enough. You end up having to reach for the filter from the passenger side with several sharp edges to cut your arm. The spill guide does very little, the oil is directed to drain to the front but is caught by the splash guards and makes a mess.
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