Getting the filter out is a couple step process, but once you know it the filter comes out quickly without spilling a drop. I learned from a Mark VIII, which truly takes about 12 different "motions" to get the filter from unscrewed all the way to "free" from the confines of the vehicle. That involved pouring oil all over the car, too. The 3.0 is not awesome for an oil change, but you unscrew the filter, move it back towards the firewall, around the shaft, then pull it forward and out.

 

Well you are not doing yourself a favor by changing it when its cool. Changing your oil when it is mild to hot is the best considering it will hold the contaminents. If the oil is cool, then all the junk in your oil is just sitting at the bottom of your pan. So then you are putting in new oil over all that junk from your old oil.

I would rather get burned than to have my engine sludge up lol.

BTW changing the oil on the 3.0 is simple after you rip off the stupid funnel thing that is on the starter. Easy as 1-2-3!

 

I do use mechanic's gloves. They cover my hand, not my whole arm. I usually get burned just behind my wrist where the gloves don't cover.

I can feel the threads, but it still takes a couple tries to get the filter angled and centered just right. I don't get dirt on the gasket either, but it's a challenge to do that. My hands are big enough to have a good grip on the filter, the trouble is maneuvering it right.

The car is stock height. The oil filter is on the back of the engine, below the intake manifold. With the car on ramps, I crawl under from the front to get it. I can reach it easily that way. I always take it off by hand.

This poor kid needs help? Changing the oil on a Civic is very very easy. I have changed oil on more Civics than I can remember and have never had a problem.

The 3.0 is doable, but not enjoyable IMO. I liked changing the oil on my 2.5L. Really nothing was in the way of the filter. The drain plug location on the 3.0 is better though.

 

mines a ***** since the 4in suspension my radius arms are farther away from the frame keeping the oil tub from bein close to eliminate splatter lol

 

That is the fun spoils of changing your own oil. I LOVE IT!!!! HA HA!
My Ranger is stock height. I don't need to jack it up or anything. I just get my tools, oil, and filter, and go to town on it!

 

I didn't think it was that bad.... Maybe it is just me...

 

i dont know why everyone says the only way to go is through the top. i go through the side. lift the flap on the side then its direct access, i zip tie mine back, it was already broken when i got it so did not have much of a choice.

 

I loosen it from Wheel well, or bottom of truck, then remove it from the top.
Not too hard, just do it when the engine is cool and no burns.

 

If its the one where the filter is above the starter, then yes I hate that. My 4.0 is fine, and the 2.5s are real nice. I've done thousands of oil changes.

 

Well guys I must be cheating. I put a remote filter on my '01. The filter is now between the floor and the crossmember. No burns at all on me....

 

Piece of cake first I installed a fumoto valve, and now in the process of installing a remote oil filter to locate it somewhere along the frame rail.

Richard

 

i love arcing the starter, lmao, i get mine form the bottom, i's to short for my truck lol

 

try it on a Mercedes or some of these new Hondas and other imports.

 

i know this is the other engine, but heck i dont like changing oil in my 4.0...i could change my 2.3L w/o ever getting a drop anywhere, everytime i change the ol in my 06' i do good until it comes time to change out the filter, then oil goes everywhere!

 

LOL, give me a break man. Try working on a Subaru, changing spark plugs, or just about anything is brutal.

 

doing the oil if you have the RCD lift, maybe SL? there's that cross member right under the drain plug. I almost brought it in and paid for it to get done haha

 

Punch a hole in the filter and allow the oil to drain out of it before removing the filter. Thats a trick I learned on my F250. The oil filter itself holds like half a gallon of oil, thats a lot of oil to let run down the side of the block/oil pan

 

i personally barely get burnt and i change it when its usually the hottest. I also like the funnel cause well i pull the filter out let it fall on the funnel let it sit there while i have an oil bucket right under the funnel tilt to get the rest out and pull. not hard at all. very rarely spill a drop in that specific section of the oil change.

 

hah you think changing the oil is bad try doing spark plugs on most vehicles...

the 3.0L looks easier then my old 2.3L was, I remember I had to take the intake manifold off to get to the plugs in the back what a PITA

BTW, whats the best way / legal way to dispose of the old oil? I usually change mine at my dads shop but he's been pretty swamped so I was going to attempt it at home...

 

I've taken mine to Autozone. They just wouldn't let me throw away the original new oil container. I didn't understand that logic, but whatever.

I'm sure there's something like it near you.

 

Oil change on a 2006 Volkswagen beetle is a PITA

I would love to do 20 3.0 rangers vs. the beetle

 

My city landfill has a used oil disposal container.

 

Orielly & Autozone accept used oil for free.

 

Changing the oil on my 3.0 wasn't that bad. The only real bad part was putting the filter back on. The worst thing I've ever had to do was change the battery on my sister's Chrysler Sebring. You have to take off the left front tire, and a couple panels in the wheelwell just to get to it. Then you have to wrestle the old battery off of some ridiculously stupid clamps that make it a b*tch to put the new battery back in too.

 

Has anyone tried a relocater? I almost did but heard some bad things about them.

My last oil change was easy, spilled nary a drop. Of course it is because i am getting better at it now. Some others were difficult. I drain it while it is hot, then change the filter when it cools enough not to burn me. In the mean time there is always something else to check, look over, do, or I will go gather the oil and filter while it cools. It still does not take long. It seems that it is best to take the filter out the top now though I tried both.