Dumb Question About Oil Change

[MisterT]

I have a couple of drive up ramps and have changed the oil in my cars in the past, but not with the Protege. Is the oil filter hard to get to? I have Eibach springs and therefore have it lowered about 1.5" and .75" front/back. Hopefully I can use some boards to drive up the ramp without "bottoming out." I am afraid the muffler will hit the ground as I am driving up. Maybe somebody with a lowered Protege will happen to know if this will happen.
(deadhorse (boom07) (chair)
Dumb question, I know, but I want to save money and something as easy as an oil change, every little bit helps. Thanks in advanced! Mucho Gracias!

[JCell]

it's hard but not impossible


BTW, the back won't bottom out unless u raise the front A LOT

[Kooldino]

The oil filter is easy to get to once you've done it. Back of the block, kind of on the passenger side...high on the block.

[otmsp]

If you remove your alternator the job becomes really easy....lol... get the filter with the grip thingy It`ll make your life easier. (rockon)

[JCell]

or get a GT spec 4 ladder bar, that makes changin the oil really easy

[Pretzellogic]

It does require a little gymnastics to get at it. A craftsman oil filter wrench (one with jaws) will help you greatly.

[Falango]

I just did it yesterday, and was able to reach the filter with just the trunk jack on the passenger side. I've also lowered my car, with Tein S-Tech's, so it made it a little tougher, but once you have done it, it's a bit easier. It isn't the greatest place for a filter from a repair POV.

[otmsp]

I saw a thread in this forum that talked about an oil filter relocation kit for proteges.....my 2cents.

[MisterT]

Thanks for the responses. I will give it a shot this weekend. I plan on getting an oil filter wrench to make my life easier too! :)

[TurfBurn]

I just did it yesterday, and was able to reach the filter with just the trunk jack on the passenger side. I've also lowered my car, with Tein S-Tech's, so it made it a little tougher, but once you have done it, it's a bit easier. It isn't the greatest place for a filter from a repair POV.

You either have a death wish, or used a jackstand.

In other words for the love all things motorized use a jackstand anytime you do ANY work on your car!

[peepsalot]

Yeah I used the stock jack with no jackstand before I knew any better. (hand)
It just didn't occur to me before, but it is a really really bad idea.

[jster28]

Yeah make sure you use jackstands. My stock jack collasped and the car started to fall, but lucky i had my crappy steel wheel under the car to support it from hitting the ground. I found that its easier to take the oil filter out from the top, just reach in there.

[solid_snake]

i place my car in jackstands (SECURITY FIRST) and i get to the filter by the underside to loose it up a little, then i finish removing it from the top when i can twist it by hand

hope this hepls

[Protege52003]

i use the my jack and jack under the tow hook on the front of the car and place cinder blocks onder the frame in-case jack fails......had to do this before the car was dropped.......-R

[DiS]

I just did it yesterday, and was able to reach the filter with just the trunk jack on the passenger side. I've also lowered my car, with Tein S-Tech's, so it made it a little tougher, but once you have done it, it's a bit easier. It isn't the greatest place for a filter from a repair POV.

bad idea just because your car was not completely flat to the ground but tilted to the side, therefore some of the old oil didnt drain. Whenever doing oil change, make sure that your car is not tilted one way or another.

[Dexter]

funny enough, i can do it without jacking up the car at all. also, im a moron and i usually do it 20 minutes after just driving the car, so i end up with 3rd degree burns from the downpipe/cat. i rule. also, i just manhandle the filter (i dont use any tools)

[TurfBurn]

well other than tipped backwards... that is ok ;)

[DiS]

well other than tipped backwards... that is ok ;)

I guess....maybe because our oil pan is small enough for that kind of procedure. Unlike Maxima's big ass oil pan

[Pretzellogic]

Please use jackstands:
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/4783090/detail.html

[solid_snake]

Please use jackstands:
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/4783090/detail.html
(mswerd)

[TurfBurn]

ever seen the one of the dude welding under a truck with it propped up on 2x4's? scary.

[otmsp]

no jack required..just drive right weel on top of 3" flat board and just do it.oil out from bottom,filter out from top..the trick is do not over tighten filter...10-15 min job. every 2 months.