Easiest. Oil Change. Ever.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Maybe not, but with everyone complaining about how hard new stuff is to work on and how oil filters get placed in impossible to reach places... it was nice to actually do an oil change on our 2020 2.0L Turbo Equinox.

I also own a 2015 Z71 I bought new as well as a 2011 Mustang V6 we bought new. Let's compare...

What makes this one so easy? When you unscrew the oil pan bolt the oil drops straight down. Literally, straight down. Start to finish. Z71 and Mustang? Both shoot oil 3 foot to the side when you pull the plug. Makes pan placement a guess at best and I usually have to start sliding it back towards the plug once the flow starts to subside.

What about the oil filter? Easy spot to get a wrench on, nothing to remove, and you install it "up" so you can pre fill it and get it full! Z71 also installs up, but it's near the exhaust, and I've burn a few knuckle hairs over the years. Mustang? You have to remove a big plastic cover each time and it mounts sideways. Insert fog horn, whah, whah, whaaaaah.....

Filling it up? Super easy. Just needs a funnel and it drops straight down into the motor. Mustang is easy as well. Big Z? I, no joke, HAVE to have a step stool. I can not reach the damn thing.

So, with so many complaints on difficult oil changes, this one was a breeze, and a happy father's day from this first time dad

PS. We won't talk about the fact you can't even see spark plugs and/or wires... that's for another day...

[mongocanfly]

oh boy,,,he looks ready Jesse..!!!!... really growing fast

[Palf70Step]

[FleetsidePaul]

That pic of you sleeping cracks me up. Reminds me of the old days. Those little guys can really poop you out.

[67C10Step]

Spent many wonderful moments on the couch and in the recliner in much that same pose. Good times for sure.

So, let’s talk oil changes. The 2016 and 2020 4Runner both have the filter element, which is a bit of a pain but I can deal with it. Both, however, require the removal of the skid plate to get to it. The Impala oil filter is easy to get to but drains oil all over a motor mount and everywhere it can go after running over that.

The CHR is probably the easiest. One you get the front up for access take off one cover and the filter and oil plug are right there and the pan can stay in one spot. Not sure on the Acura, have not had to change that one yet.

[Stocker]

We haven't shopped for vehicles in a long time (last one we bought was our Tacoma in 2005) but I always peeked underneath to see how much trouble it would be to change oil.
The Tacoma's oil filter is up top and super easy to change. Not my pic, just one I found on the 'net.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I was just honestly super happy it didn't shoot oil 3' to the side (who thought that was a good idea or even necessary... bottom of the pan... straight down... come on...)

I owned a 2005 V6 taco for a spell, I always thought it was weird the oil filter was there, I always like to prime them, but I guess it drains every time it's shut off so it doesn't matter anyway.

Little guy is a lot of fun. He looks a lot more like my wife, but his feet are an exact miniature copy of mine

He's a good sleeper now, but those first 6 months... he refused to be down any longer than 2 hours and he let you know you should be up when he was...

[MikeB]

Easy basic maintenance. What a concept!

On my wife's Infiniti QX60 you have to remove a panel on the inner fender to get to the oil filter, which is mounted horizontally. No way to keep oil from draining onto the subframe and other parts. Dipstick is the absolute worst to read, unless you let it sit for a few hours. Oil fill tube is way down between engine and radiator. But other than that...

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Stocker

We haven't shopped for vehicles in a long time (last one we bought was our Tacoma in 2005) but I always peeked underneath to see how much trouble it would be to change oil.
The Tacoma's oil filter is up top and super easy to change. Not my pic, just one I found on the 'net.

Old cars were like that this is a Studebaker. Makes a mess as there's no catch basin. All of my vehicles are fairly easy to change oil and filter

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Little guy is a lot of fun. He looks a lot more like my wife,

It's funny. I find that boys look like their moms and the girls look like dad.

My kids look like the mailman.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

It's funny. I find that boys look like their moms and the girls look like dad.

My kids look like the mailman.

[Low Elco]

Cute little fart. He looks like he's here to party!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I have four vehicles, and my 2014 Subaru Outback may be my least favorite. I bought it "for the dogs" and it's my scooter for practical & convenience, the rest are trucks.

Not to put cars and people into categories (yes I am), I imagine in general Subaru owners are about the last types to change their own oil - they're missing out.

Easiest I've seen, maybe 10 minutes start to finish taking your time and gathering that 17MM in the spare tool box. 5 qts. gets it done, no need to even measure, hood doesn't even require a prop. I'm a sloppy oil change guy but even I don't spill a drop on this.

[LT7A]

The thing about those top mount filters that have the dished areas, how do you clean out the dished area before you take the filter off? If not, then all the grit that's accumulated in that washes into the engine with the oil that drips out of the filter. Maybe the filter is virtually empty so it's just a few drips?

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The thing about those top mount filters that have the dished areas, how do you clean out the dished area before you take the filter off? If not, then all the grit that's accumulated in that washes into the engine with the oil that drips out of the filter. Maybe the filter is virtually empty so it's just a few drips?

The filter 'cup' on our Tacoma is at an angle (see pic above) and there's a drain hole with a short nipple underneath. Some guys place a temporary catch can under the drain -- I attached a few feet of plastic tubing to the nipple, then run the tubing down into my oil drain pan. The filter has an anti-drainback valve so there's actually very little leakage when you remove it.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The thing about those top mount filters that have the dished areas, how do you clean out the dished area before you take the filter off? If not, then all the grit that's accumulated in that washes into the engine with the oil that drips out of the filter. Maybe the filter is virtually empty so it's just a few drips?

Not much comes out on this Outback, and what does ends up in the circumference of the cup so nothing gets in there. Couple paper towels to clean-up.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The thing about those top mount filters that have the dished areas, how do you clean out the dished area before you take the filter off? If not, then all the grit that's accumulated in that washes into the engine with the oil that drips out of the filter. Maybe the filter is virtually empty so it's just a few drips?

Not much comes out on this Outback, and what does ends up in the perimeter so nothing gets in there. Couple paper towels to clean-up. I just happened to have changed the oil when I saw this thread.

[richards72chevy]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I have four vehicles, and my 2014 Subaru Outback may be my least favorite. I bought it "for the dogs" and it's my scooter for practical & convenience, the rest are trucks.

Not to put cars and people into categories (yes I am), I imagine in general Subaru owners are about the last types to change their own oil - they're missing out.

Easiest I've seen, maybe 10 minutes start to finish taking your time and gathering that 17MM in the spare tool box. 5 qts. gets it done, no need to even measure, hood doesn't even require a prop. I'm a sloppy oil change guy but even I don't spill a drop on this.

I'm actually surprised no one has razed you yet on that fram oil filter!

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Stocker

The filter 'cup' on our Tacoma is at an angle (see pic above) and there's a drain hole with a short nipple underneath. Some guys place a temporary catch can under the drain -- I attached a few feet of plastic tubing to the nipple, then run the tubing down into my oil drain pan. The filter has an anti-drainback valve so there's actually very little leakage when you remove it.

My N---an truck has an Anti-drain back valve also.
My Grandpa was the (Most meticulous oil changer EVER)

If he were still around everything would have to have an Anti drain back valve


I have to take a cover off to get to the filter,
But it's not to bad.









.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

(Suburu is) easiest I've seen, maybe 10 minutes start to finish taking your time and gathering that 17MM in the spare tool box.

Man, that looks drop-dead easy! Far cry from more expensive vehicles, some of which seem to be designed to increase service department revenue!

[67C10Step]

Just changed the oil on my wife's new Acura and I was much pleased it was laid out a lot like that in 67ChevyRedneck's first post. Put the pan in one spot and you catch it all.

[Richard2112]

My truck changes it own oil. I just keep putting it in

[LT7A]

Thanks for the replies about the oil drainback. It came to mind because of my Audi that has a little depressed area at the oil fill. I suppose they thought it would act as a mini funnel and keep the engine from getting spilled oil on it. However, it accumulates dust and grit that you have to wipe off or risk running into your engine with the oil.

[Big Moose]

We have the Femco drainplugs installed on quite a few of our vehicles and they work great, especially when the drain is sideways where the oil can splash onto the frame etc. they have a hose which you screw onto the plug, which depresses a valve that opens the drain. no mess.

www.femco.com