Oil change procedure on 2011 X sedan

[Mudgen]

Don't believe the DIY maintenance (8) section in the owners manual, which says to drop the undercover completely to do the oil change. You could do that, but it's a lot easier to reach through the opening under the drain plug to take it out and drain the oil, and to remove the two bolts on the flap under the filter to get to that.

The first time I saw the procedure, I said "You have got to be #!@%&*$ kidding me". Apparently they were.

[joe603]

I've always just removed the plastic undercover. With a cordless drill it's not too bad. I find it a lot easier to keep everything clean.

[Mudgen]

I've always just removed the plastic undercover. With a cordless drill it's not too bad. I find it a lot easier to keep everything clean.

So the '09 has the plug opening and filter flap, too? I assumed it was a new redesign and they failed to update the doc.

I can see dropping the cover once a year to hose off the trans cooler, etc.

[biggie]

The cover was the main reason I bought an alum undertray. Hated the 15+ bolts to take it off.

[Mudgen]

The cover was the main reason I bought an alum undertray. Hated the 15+ bolts to take it off.

I understand. That's probably why most people get them. The point of my post is that on my 2011 G37x sedan, it's not necessary to drop the undertray to change oil and filter. There's a rectangular opening under the drain plug, and a flap with two bolts under the filter that gives plenty of room to get to that.

The two-piece aluminum undertray does let you get access to hose off the trans cooler by taking off only the front piece, so there's still an advantage to that, in addition to being much tougher than the plastic oem.

[telcoman]

I've always just removed the plastic undercover. With a cordless drill it's not too bad. I find it a lot easier to keep everything clean.

+1

I use a cordless drill also. Only 14 10mm bolts. Takes less than three minutes to remove them. 44 oil changes thus far





Telcoman

[Mudgen]

Never mind.

[SVTCOBRA]

I've never considered using the opening after making a mess doing so on the 05's that we had....
Will look at the 08 again next time, but using a cordless drill to zip off the cover doesn't take very long.

[joe603]

Not sure if the design changed in '11, but my 09 was very similar to my 05.

[Mudgen]

I'm thinking that the filter flap may have been added for 2011, since I have not seen any other posts about it.