I have a 1996 SC300 and when I change the oil I am always fighting a battle to control the mess spilling out of the oil filter as I remove it and lift it out of the car. I've even had the unfortunate accident of dropping the filter and having it roll across my driveway leaving a trail of oil across the concrete. What can I do to make this easier with less mess?

 

I usually stick the pan under where the filter is, then as I unscrew it I just lift it up and out, and try to keep it rightside up. I haven't had the misfourtune of dropping one yet.

Or you could get a relocation kit...that would make things WAY easier.

 

Nice avater Onejay!! love how the car is coming nicely

I do the same thing OneJay does, i just put a pan around where the control arm is on the front wheel and then i take out the filter upright, never had a spill yet... the only time i did have some spill was the 2nd time i did my oil change on my old car... i forgot to screw on the screw for the oil pan... left a big mess...

 

Haha. My friend and I did that on his car once. 20 bucks worth of Mobil 1 on the floor.

 

I'd recommend that you consider an oil filter relocation kit and put the filter lower on the frame. You'll also be able to use a much larger filter and pick up some capacity as well. Some of the better sandwiches offer 1/8 fittings to use for oil temp and pressure if that is important. Ebay is loaded with them and many are quality, look for billet aluminum. Summit racing has one for $50 and it is cast aluminum junk and should be avoided.

 

I get my oil changed :/

 

i put an oil pan underneath the car, but I have a towel/rag right underneath the oil filter to keep oil from dripping all over the suspension/frame parts...

 

put a towel under it... works for me and very clean...

 

put a paper/plastic cup right underneath the oil filter where you think the oil will drop to.
if you have smaller hands, you can actually hold the cup with one hand and tilt the filter
with the other.
hope it works out for you.