Oil change door panel replacement

@Mendel Leisk Do you mind sharing how you lift yours? (I’m afraid I have forgotten if already mentioned, or maybe I missed it). I drive our v up on a pair of Rhino Ramps. When folding forward the flap the edge will scrape the floor a little due to clearance. On our Clarity it’s a metal panel (6 screws and not very big) you remove which interesting surrounded by plastic, (plastic stays on the car).

I have to venture they made the ‘12 model year panel more flexible plastic or something because I honestly see zero evidence for concern about folding it over. I’ll try to snap a couple of pictures I do believe there’s an indicator somewhere to pin it up, and of the crease. I was too lazy yesterday (day of rest for us) and this morning the ground is wet from rain overnight so hopefully at the latest tomorrow…

 

Ste

"Oil Change Info" link in my signature pretty much covers it. (If on a phone turn it landscape to see signature.)

 

Regardless of whether the flap is opened 90° or 180°, or whether using the original dubious "hinge" or an elaborately added actual hinge, folding the flap open requires the car to be lifted much higher than otherwise necessary. Making it conveniently detachable solves that problem.

 

That should work, but any simpler, easier-to-install method of holding up the front side of the flap would function equally well, unless you specifically need to have it hinged.

 

Why not hinge it on the passener side?
That way when it opens you can easily reach the filter and drain plug.
If it only opens 45 degrees, you still have room.

Or just remove it and have plently of clearence.

 

Still waiting for Hybrid oil to be delivered today, anyways got an appointment at 10:30 local time…

Bumped into a picture of the inside of the panel, along with the associated tear/concern. There’s an arrow pointing to the pin hole and the words “FOR SERVICE” where you pin it up. Luckily mine hasn’t shown any sort of wear/tear/whitening of the “hinge” like this example.



At this vintage (11 yrs old for ours) I’d probably pony up for a replacement if it started tearing, unless very expensive, say $200 or more…

 

You people have way too much free time!

 

Finally dragged myself to do an oil change, hopefully the correct pictures for the thread! I did take it for a good freeway run to get the oil hot/warm. Maybe that makes the plastic hinge more pliable?

 

If you search for aluminum skid plate.

You will see what I installed today.

Here are a couple pictures.

Get rid of the plastic and upgrade.

Never lose a plastic part again.

 

Is that hole big enough that the oil from the filter doesn’t drain on it?

 

I did not think about that but will find out soon because it is time to change my oil.

I only remove the filter once the oil has stopped streaming out and starts to drip.

Shouldnt be that hard to wipe if it does.

 

6061 or 7075?