Oil Changing Easy or Difficult?

[offersk]

I've been changing the oil in my last 2 cars and have found it very easy to do.

Since the Prius is so close to the ground:
1) Is it difficult to get under there and change the oil?
2) Does the plastic under the car make it difficult to access the oil filter?

I'm picking up my Prius on Monday 1/2/06 and need to know how difficult the oil changes are prior to taking delivery as I have to decide on whether to purchase a dealer oil change package or just continue to do it myself.

Thanks!

[Frank Hudon]

did it yesterday on the 2k4 and it took 12 minutes start to finish in the carport. I made up two 2x12blocks with a bit of strapping on one end so the car won't push them out of the way and once up on them slide the drain pan under pull plug and drain oil. The filter is easy if you have the right tool which is a cup type wrench that goes on a 6" extension and a ratchet. This is easier than most as the drain plug is close to the front of the car. I have an old mat that I throw down and lay on. If your used to doing oil changes this is no different.

[tumbleweed]

Originally posted by offersk@Dec 28 2005, 03:05 PM
I've been changing the oil in my last 2 cars and have found it very easy to do. 

Since the Prius is so close to the ground:
  1)  Is it difficult to get under there and change the oil? 
  2)  Does the plastic under the car make it difficult to access the oil filter?

I'm picking up my Prius on Monday 1/2/06 and need to know how difficult the oil changes are prior to taking delivery as I have to decide on whether to purchase a dealer oil change package or just continue to do it myself.

Thanks!

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I think it is one of the easier cars for changing oil. The drain plug is right there toward the front of the car and the filter is just behind the engine and easy to reach from underneath. You need one of the filter wrenches that fits over the end of the filter and that you can turn with a ratchet.

[finman]

easy access to the filter...if you're on the thin side, as the Prius is fairly low to the ground. Otherwise I can squeeze my head under the front and see the small oil filter no prob. I've installed a Fumoto drain on the oil pan so flipping that to drain is easy. Get a short oil-catch pan as the taller ones may not fit under there.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Check out John's site. He knows all.

Main address: http://john1701a.com
Oil Change page: http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm
A PDF he made on how to change your Prius' oil: http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius...hanging-Oil.pdf


I change my own oil and find it quite simple.

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by TonyPSchaefer@Dec 28 2005, 03:26 PM
Check out John's site.  He knows all.

Main address: http://john1701a.com
Oil Change page: http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm
A PDF he made on how to change your Prius' oil: http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius...hanging-Oil.pdf
I change my own oil and find it quite simple.

[snapback]180166[/snapback]

If Tony can do it, you can. He's our litmus test.

[seasalsa]

Originally posted by finman@Dec 28 2005, 03:16 PM
easy access to the filter...if you're on the thin side, as the Prius is fairly low to the ground.  Otherwise I can squeeze my head under the front and see the small oil filter no prob.  I've installed a Fumoto drain on the oil pan so flipping that to drain is easy.  Get a short oi-catch pan as the taller ones may not fit under there.

[snapback]180158[/snapback]

The Fumoto valve took all of the work out of oil change for me. Check them out @ http://www.fumotovalve.com/

It usually takes me about 30 minutes to change the oil and rotate the tires.

[mdmikemd]

Originally posted by TonyPSchaefer@Dec 28 2005, 05:26 PM
Check out John's site.  He knows all.

Main address: http://john1701a.com
Oil Change page: http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm
A PDF he made on how to change your Prius' oil: http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius...hanging-Oil.pdf
I change my own oil and find it quite simple.

[snapback]180166[/snapback]

So having the front end lifted up won't effect the drainage?

And note to John...looks like you need to get an undercarriage wash, the Minnesota salt looks like it's eating away at your car!

[cdavid]

Is it right that the same part fumoto valve fits all modern Toyotas, be it a Prius, Sienna, etc?

[john1701a]

Originally posted by mdmikemd@Dec 28 2005, 07:14 PM
And note to John...looks like you need to get an undercarriage wash, the Minnesota salt looks like it's eating away at your car!

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You wouldn't believe how horrible the whole car looks right now. Winter is pretty cruel up here... the perfect proving ground for our favorite technology!

By the way, it looks like I'll need to add a note of my own. Have any of you noticed the other oil filter? The last number for the part is a 2 rather than a 1. That means it came from Thailand instead of the United States.

This oil filter appears to be nearly identical, with the exception of it being about 1/8 inch shorter (making it a closer match than the one from Japan). The odd part is the gasket is lubricated with some type of goo and the whole end is sealed in shrinkwrap.

Has anyone else used this one yet? I've got just a little over 1,000 miles on the one I installed.