oil filter, need to remove wheel?

[Rockhoundrob]

I am getting ready to change the oil filter on my daughter's 2009 Rogue.
Do I really need to remove the passenger wheel to change the oil filter?

I been changing oil on all kinds of cars for 45 years and was shocked that something as simple as an oil change needs 2 extra steps, remove wheel and remover plastic cover.

[Lone Wolff]

Need to? No. But it does give you more room. The plastic cover should be able to just move out of the way while still clipped in place.
When I was still on orig tires I would always rotate them at each oil change, so removing the wheel was just part of that process. But now with free rotations on my new tires I no longer do those myself so I just run it on ramps to change the oil. No need to remove the wheel or the plastic cover. Just a bit less room to wrangle around to change the oil filter.

[itsa300zx]

I just turn the wheels to the right (pass side) gives you ample room.

[Rockhoundrob]

GREAT !! I will give those 2 things a try!

Thank you!

[Altair 4]

Need to? No. But it does give you more room. The plastic cover should be able to just move out of the way while still clipped in place.
When I was still on orig tires I would always rotate them at each oil change, so removing the wheel was just part of that process. But now with free rotations on my new tires I no longer do those myself so I just run it on ramps to change the oil. No need to remove the wheel or the plastic cover. Just a bit less room to wrangle around to change the oil filter.

I don't even use ramps. I just turn the wheels to the right and basically lay on a pad on the ground to change the filter. I've been using a vacuum oil extractor to drain the oil via the dipstick tube. It works very well on the QR25 engine. I pulled the drain plug after trying it the first time. A negligible amount of oil came out (literally drops). When placing the full replacement amount of oil in the engine, it's right to the full line, so no overfill, indicating all the old oil is out.

[casperfun]

I was bored, so I just drove up my ramps last Friday in my garage to change the oil. Let it drain for 2 nights with oil filter removed and emptied 5 quarts last Sunday which perfectly hit the full mark on my dipstick. Checked it on level ground of course.

The 2 nights of draining was negligible at best, with a 1 hour oil change being just as efficient.

Only did it because I wanted to drive our 2006 Lexus IS250 which had less than 14,000 miles on it.

[Rockhoundrob]

Well thanks guys! Sure enough, I got a 2x6 and drove the front end up on it and turned the wheel to the right.
No problem!

[casperfun]

U might as well change the air filter while you're at it. Even though they say a dirty one cleans better. Mine was not too dirty. But saw a minuscule amount between the pleats.

[Rockhoundrob]

Did that when my daughter first got her car last summer. Exhaust bracket was broken, Air filter, cabin filter, etc.... all the basic stuff.
Last month, new alternator, water pump, tensioner, coolant hoses, serpentine belt.
Next year it will be new tires, all new brake pads, etc...