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...or not!


Does anyone know what the best way to change our oil filters is? Every single time i change my oil- taking the filter off is the biggest headache, i end up getting hot oil all over my arms and once even on my face I tried getting it from above, its too tight for my arm to fit, and if you think about it- once you get the filter off, its way too akward to pull it back out, or even flip it so that itll drain into the pan.

 
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u can get the oil filter "extension" wrench....it's shapped like a long prongs....hm...somehing like that.....wal-mart got it...

 
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I just hold an old rag underneath it with my left hand, and loosen the filter with my other arm.

 
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Yea you dont need to waist your money on a wrench, you just need a good grip and some muscle and it will come right off.

 
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yeah, i dont really have a problem getting it off... just getting it off without making a mess and getting burned!

 
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well you shouldnt be doing your oil change when your car is hot anyway. Let it cool down before you do it. And you are going to make a mess whether you use a wrench or not. There is still some left over oil inside the filter, and to help not making a mess, just place the drain pan underneath the filter.

 
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Either jack it up high enough or take the left front tire off... that way you can be totally out of the way of the flood. Overhand grip the filter and if the centerline of your body is under the rotor, then your arm won't be anywhere near the mess.

 
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Get a K and N oil filter...it has a 1 inch thingy to use a socket wrench to turn it off...sorry for the lack of technical terms...very tired...

 
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turn the tires to the right , and if you got long enough arms reach in and turn... best was is to take off the tire..if you dun wannt go under

 
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Changing it when is hot is the best way to do it..........supposedly it drains better

Anywayz, i just throw a big pair of channelocks on it and take it off

And i have no idea how u are getting messy. Drop the drain plug and the oil in the filter will drain out b/c it is tilted down.

 
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IMO, it drains fine anyways. But if he is getting burned, then he needs to change it when the car is cool. And for those of you that say take the tire off, there is no need for that. Just jack the front up and slide in from the front. taking off the tire is a hassle.

 
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yea i just man handle it.

 
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I agree with jacking the car up. Jack the passenger side up slighly more so you tilt the oil filter more. This way you have less oil in the oil filter when you take it out.

 
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he he , this made me laugh too, because I too, change my oil when the car is hot, make a mess of my arm and shirt ( i wear an old shirt) , and get oil on the street too! Just like mentoined, once I take the filter out that is when the oil pours out missing the oil pan! I use front end ramps , that's it, so I am in kinda tight quarters. This time I stayed cleaner changing it, but still stained the street with oil! I think it would be much easier to use a lift, but I only have ramps, and like changin it myself (about $12)

 
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A peice of sandpaper works good to get it off it gives ya great grip.

 
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Changing the oil when it's warm/hot I always thought it would all flow out better, maybe not. Of course, now that I switched to Mobil 1 0w-20 which is like water, it shouldn't matter if it's cold I suppose.

Anyway, drain the oil first and do the filter last obviously. When I take my filter off, I use one of those round rubber can opener things you can get (you know, so you don't slip opening a jar) because the OEM filters do not have any tack on the end like Fram for instance. So I loosen the filter just enough to allow the flow to start. I have this big, black drain bucket I bought from Wal-Mart years ago and I just line that up under it. I hardly get anything on the ground anymore. In fact, I change it right in my garage. So before you take the filter all the way off, just break the seal and let as much oil drain out of it. If you want, you can place an old blanket or big towel under the work area if you are worried about messing up your concrete. Shame on the person who changes it in the street and makes a mess! I can imagine what your street looks like!

I would invest in a good oil tub/catcher from Wal-Mart. They hold like three-four oil changes. When it's full I just take it up to my local tire place and dump it, no big deal.

To recap:

Buy an oil catch, drain the oil first, loosen the filter (break seal) slowly until the oil drains, wait, now remove filter and hold it up until you can turn it over and dump it into the catch tub. Remember to place a little oil on the new seal of the oil filter for a better fit. I tighten my filter by hand only! I tighten it where I almost can't turn it anymore and that should be fine. Don't overtighten.

There, oil change 101 made simple. I actually like to change my oil. Once you have all the right gear it's soooo easy. I know I do it right and don't have to worry about some jerk-off stripping my drain plug out (it happened to me) or not putting enough oil in. Those 10-min. lube places are total rip-offs. They skimp on oil and treat your car like crap. Never use them unless you have to.