Changing the oil...how tough is it?

[roboturner]

I'm about to go on a long road trip, about 1300 miles. I'm a little bit over 3000 right now so I figure I should get the oil changed.

How hard is it to do? I've done my own oil changes many times but those were very different vehicles (Chevrolet trucks) and very easy to work on.

I know my wife's Scion XA is a real pain in the hiney and we figured out a long time ago that we were better off just taking it somewhere. Basically I'm just wondering how hard things are to access, if I have to take off other parts beforehand, etc.

[conversation]

Robo,

I just changed the oil in my 09 V HB with the 1.8. It was a moderate PITA. I had to remove 4 10 mm bolts (easy) from the splash guard just under the filter. I could then bend it down to get my arm in, to work on the filter. You have enuf room, once you remove the 4 bolts. The guard is still held on by other stuff but you bend it down (it is very flexible) and have just enuf room. Took me 40 minutes. Next time will prob take about half hour.

Oh yeah, I drove the front tires up on some pieces of lumber, to get it high enough up to work on.

The drain plug is easy. Lots of room.

Con versa tion.

[dingusmagee]

If you plan on doing it yourself all the time get a set of ramps. it will make life alot easier. And take the pull pins out and the bolts and remove the splash guard. That way you can reach everthing without breaking the splash guard. It's no problem.

[nick425]

I never even have taken the splash guard off. I can reach the oil filter no prob. I like to use fram with that nice grip on the end. I can change the oil in 25min now.

[conversation]

What are the pullpins? A note about ramps. I have ramps, but the Versa is too low in front to drive up. The bumper hits the ramp. I need to drive up on some wood first, then the ramps. Might want to get low ramps, if they exist.

[Bubs daddy]

I took the splash pan off years ago. Takes 15-20 minutes to change the oil. As mentioned, get some ramps.