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I let alot of the oil drain first by just cracking it a little since I was sure how much was going to come out.
Once the oil filter housing was fully loose, I just set it in the drain in the pan. Took picture of housing removed also.
That's exactly how the factory service manual says you should drain the oil from the filter. If you look at the threads on the filter housing, you'll notice that there is a section where all the threads are flat - it's a little blurry, but you can see it in the second picture above. This is a design feature that allows you to turn the filter housing so the flat section faces toward the bottom, allowing the oil to drain out controllably from the oil filter.
I wouldn't trust the quick lube places. They tend to not tighten the filter enough, and I'd rather use a filter/oil of my choice than the stuff they use.
I can't believe you guys buy a $40K auto and change your own oil.
If the dealer is too expensive just go to a quick lube.
I used to have the "quick lube" shops do my oil change until they over tightened the bolt to the drain pan and stripped it. Then they blamed me for putting on the wrong bolt last oil change, but then I reminded them THEY changed it last time. They still refused to pay for the fix. Once I said I was bringing a lawyer into the picture they finally paid the towing fee to the dealer and cost of a whole new oil pan and labor totaling $375.
Since then I've done my own oil changes. Will NEVER take my cars to a quick lube shop again and will not give the Lexus dealer $100(that's crazy) to do an oil change. I can buy the oil and filter for ~$40 and have it changed myself in 30 mins. Doesn't bother me to get a little dirty and feel good knowing it was actually done.
If I'd never had that incident, then I'd probably still be having the quick lube shops do it, but it only takes one time to mess it up. I've had my one time.
Let's try to stay on-topic, guys - how to change your own oil. If you want to debate whether you should change your own oil or not, there's another thread for that.
This might be painful. I love Snap-On, but they are far from the least expensive solution for some things. I'll still buy their sockets without batting an eye because they always fit in tight quarters, but some of their stuff is just plain ridiculous.
06-23-07, 11:27 PM
