Ok, it had been 25 years since I changed the oil on a vehicle of my own with the exception of my motorcycle and boat (which are both easy) I am just glad I did this oil change at night so none of the neighbors could see the oil spill that would make BP point fingers. Lesson #1 There isn't enough room for someone that is 2 bills to squeeze under the truck to work. I will raise the darn thing for future changes. Lesson #2 when you can barely squeeze under the truck to start with, let the dang thing cool off before attempting to remove the drain plug.... Lesson #3 keep lots of kitty litter handy until you learn lesson 2, working through that little opening in the protective plate stinks

Went with Penzoil synthetic and K&N filter, darn synthetic oil doesn't cling to the friggin dipstick enough to let you check it.

 

My dealership charges $5 to change the oil and filter if you bring your own. No more disposal, no mess, records of changes. Problem solved.

 

Thats what I do..I think they charged me 6.

 

I'll have to see if my dealership does that.

 

I'm gonna look into it, but the local dodge and ford dealers went in together and built a quick lube sort of place right in between the two dealers and take all of their oil changes there. I doubt they will do it.

 

Just changed mine. I'm more svelte so i snuck under without too much trouble, will probably jack it a little next time to make things a little easier.

I agree, that little access hole sucks. It's too small and you have to reach too far to get to the filter and not enough room for two hands or to even see with one in there. As a result, I'm down one layer of skin on my knuckle when the filter wrench slipped off and i smacked it against something hard. Filter was on tight as hell.


Drain plug was no biggie though. Was on tight, but someone else mentioned that so i used an air wrench and that baby came right out.

I did make a mess though when i pulled the filter off. Splashed everywhere. I hate it when they mount filters diagonally. There is no clean way to remove it.

Why not do what they do on GM ecotecs and let you remove them from above?

 

That is truly amazing deal! The best I can do in Ct is $29.99 if you have coupon, otherwise $39.99 is normal for dino oil and $79.99 for synthetic. and there is always a disposal charge even if you use and independent garage

 

Where is this at and what filter and oil you use, Im about due, maybe will try this too in Jax.

 

Use tinfoil to mold around that opening. It will prevent oil from catching on the crossmember and you can be as messy as you want with the filter the foil catches it all in the pan. Leave that engine as clean as you found it.

 

I usually reach in and break the filter loose then I reach back in with a plastic bag over my hand. I grab the filter spin it off and catch it in the bag and no mess.
STEVE