I just did my first oil change today on my IX at 1100 miles and I was really shocked how easy it was. I've seen various methods on doing oil changes but to me the absolute easiest way is removing the front passenger wheel. This gives you complete access to the oil filter and the drain plug without having to lay down in awkward positions underneath your car. It makes the wrenching easy because you can clearly see what your doing, so you dont have to worry about cross threading the filter or the drain plug because of a bad angle or something obstructing your view. I had this problem on my previous cars because I couldnt actually see what I was doing I could only feel, and it was often in very tight, awkward positions underneath the car. With this method you can pretty much do everything w/o laying down, which is a big plus. Just remember to jack your car up safely and properly retorque the wheel when you're finished. It only took 40 minutes while bsing and letting it drain until the very last drop. I'll only change my oil this way from now on, it makes it a lot simpler and WAY less frustrating. Highly recommended

 

That is a great way of doing it or you can just get yourself some ramps.

 

Thanks for the pointers. Did you need a handtool to get the filter off, or is it accessible by twisting it with just your hand?

This will be my first change on my evo this weekend. Any other pointers would be great!

 

Haha, your hands won't cut it man. Get an oil filter wrench and that should do the trick.

 

Is this just because of the location? Sorry i haven't done much searching as to where the filter is located. All the other cars i've had, i could untighten them with my hand...

 

Ramps wont work if you car is lowered and I never needed a oil filter wrench to get it off. To do my oil changes I will just jack up the car from the passenger side and I would have plenty of room.

 

dont use ramps because you want a flat surface. Also, I unscrewed the filter with my hands but it wasnt easy. The filter is right behind the wheel

 

Wow!

You guys took the fiter out by hand on your first oil change? They're a biatch from the factory.

Must have some Kung-Fu grip or something.
.

 

Ive taken it off by hand since day one.

 

Must've been a Sumo wrestler that tightened mine

I have been taking it out by hand after the first one.
.

 

great thanks for letting me know..im 3k miles past my oil change better go do it..haha thanks

 

Don't forget to re-torque your wheel after 50 miles.

l8r)

 

I agree.
Oil change on the evo is extremely easy.
It takes 20min top to change oil/filter.

 

+1

I usually put it on Rhino Ramps. I dont think you would want it flat, but rahter tilted up to let all the oil drain out. I sometimes use a jack also, once the car is on ramps, to jack it up even more and watch more oil come out.

I would think taking the passenger wheel off is too much hassle. Driving it up onto Rhino ramps takes 1 minute.

 

definitely ramps are the easiest way... only thing i always have a problem with... when you take off the filter, oil always gets all over your hands... any fix to that ? if you go to autozone they have an important oil filter attachment that goes on the end of a ratchet... fits all sizes, its a great tool