The Basics:
Can we reset our own in-dash service reminder ourselves?
Do you guys buy your filter dealer-direct or online or what? pricey?
What oil do you guys run?
Any bone-headed design issues in this dept? (a silly, uncommon nut choice for filter? tons of cladding in the way?)

A side-note: the god's smiled upon me the day I met a Girlfriend who's dad has a jiffy-lube style service pit built into his garage floor.

 

You can reset the the in-dash service reminder. I believe you just have to hold down the menu button when your on the screen for about 4-5 seconds then hit it once.

I buy my filter straight from the dealer and it costs me about 10 bucks.

I run Mobil 1 full synthetic

Bone headed design issues the skid plate makes getting the filter off a little difficult if you don't have the right tools. I used a big pair of pliers since my oil filter wrenches were too big.

 

Once you get that plate off and it's 20+ snap pins (not sure what that things are called they are just annoying) changing the oil is rather easy. Didn't fight with filter nor drain plug. Used K&N filter and Mobil 1 full synthetic.

 

I did some research on oil filters for our Ralliarts a while back...check this thread for part numbers and prices and such:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/09...-ralliart.html

you can reset the reminder just like Frost said....but I think you have to be past the 5000 miles (service due) reminder for it to really reset because I did my last oil change before the 5000 miles mark and when I reset the remind it added 5000 miles on top of the 1100 miles that was left on the screen....so my reminder says 6000+ miles now...

the oil filter was a pain to take off because it was put on real tight....you need the cap style oil filter wrench...there is no space for the oil filter wrench with the handle.....i got the wrong type of wrench so I ended using brute force to remove it....


i used mobil1 full synthetic as well....$22 from walmart.
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Oh, how annoying are the plastic splash guards!
8-10 screws and 4-6 plastic clips!!

 

i have changed my oil twice so far..........

.......i only take off the "access panel" thay is held on by the 8 10mm bolts.

with that off , you can reach up and grab the filter..

.. and the 17mm drain plug is easy to get to as well.

 

they weren't that annoying for me....i used my drill with a 10mm socket so I got all 8 off in 30 seconds...

 

Compared to the evo, it is annoying.
EVO 8 oil changes are:
no need to jack it up
turn wheel right
undo oil filter
undo drain bolt drain at the same time in the same oil container.
No splash guards...

 

I would change it all yourself with proven products. The dealer stuff will do, but it rides the fine line when protecting your car for the future. Currently I still have the factory air filter, to be changed to K&N drop-in in a few weeks. I changed the oil to Mobil 1 synthetic, and a K&N oil filter (which I may change to the Mobil 1 version, except the wrench off of the K&N is much easier to remove and install) I considered other brands but between K&N and Mobil 1, you should be well above what the dealers provide in regular interval checks and services.

 

Oil change is a piece of cake once the plastic cover has been removed (8 10mm screws) I used 5-30 castrol edge for my first oil change and then mobil 1 for my second. Both times I used the M1 104 oil filter. I'm buying into the hype of this new castrol edge stuff only a couple more bucks than mobil 1 but walmart was out for my second oil change so I just got mobil 1. Anyway check it out at www.castroledgeusa.com!

 

I ended up frustrated when my filter wrench couldn't fit too...but, I got the filter off with my bare hands . PITA. So, I got the K&N HP-1004 wrench off so I can remove it easier when I next do my oil change.