Advice for the best way to get to the oil filter

[moshmoshi]

Hi, I need to change oil and filter and would like to try myself.So what areyour suggestions?

thank you

[Skibane]

Personally, I prefer to unbolt the air intake "scoop" above the radiator, set it to one side of the engine compartment, and use an oil filter socket attached to a ratchet to unscrew the oil filter - Much easier than removing the plastic splash pan under the engine, IMO.

Usually, the air cleaner needs replacing anyway, so unbolting the air intake really isn't any extra work.

My other "tip" is to completely fill the new oil filter with fresh oil before installing it - Usually, it needs to be topped off several times before the filter media becomes completely saturated. You'll probably spill a little bit of this oil when you're screwing the filter on the engine, but it's still worth the little extra effort - ensures that the engine is receiving oil - rather than pressurized air - for the first few seconds when you start it afterwards.

[goody90q45]

Personally, I prefer to unbolt the air intake "scoop" above the radiator, set it to one side of the engine compartment.......Much easier than removing the plastic splash pan under the engine, IMO.

I know the generally accepted NICO guidelines tell us to jack the car up and remove the underbelly shield to avoid messing with the MAF plug but I agree with you that removing the air box lid with MAF attached is much easier. It's also a good opportunity to check and clean the connection and tighten the pins.

...and use an oil filter socket attached to a ratchet to unscrew the oil filter

Mobil 1 filter? I haven't been able to find the right sized "socket" to fit the OEM oil filters so I'm still using the old-style strap wrench filter remover, from the top. Both my Q's are base models and I've found it very helpful to cut off the unused leg of the bracket mounted on the chassis adjacent to the filter. If you have an actice or touring model there's probably a metal line mounted there so this is not an option. For those of us with a base model though, removing the leg of the bracket gives you the extra room to rotate the filter wrench and remove the filter through the top with little maneuvering and without drawing any blood.

[Skibane]

Mobil 1 filter? I haven't been able to find the right sized "socket" to fit the OEM oil filters

My Advance Auto Parts cheapie "socket" isn't a perfect fit for the Mobil 1 filter, either, but it works well enough to do the job.

Another option would be to use a K&N filter (with socket for a 3/8" ratchet pre-attached).

[oldmako]

I bought one of those advance cap wrenches. It will not work on certain filters unless you lay a thin rag over the filter first to snug it up a bit. Usually I just use hand pressure to install / remove it. It doesn't leak and saves me messing with the wrench. If my hand were to slip off the chances are it won't break anything, but if a wrench were to slip off it might.

I put wing nuts on my fresh air intake and just pop it off to change the filter from above. Takes two minutes to access the filter. Plus, when it's removed you can easily peer into the air cleaner opening (without removing the top) to check the condition of the element. I slap an new one in twice a year so it's not something I need to see, but it's visible nonetheless.

And while it's off you can poke around the engine bay below it and clean and inspect a few more of the cars innards.