How to: Oil and filter change on the EVO X
 

This is a bit elementary, but I figured it couldn't hurt to show some pictures of how to change your oil and filter on the EVO X. I haven't seen a thread in this section for it that shows the inspection cover. Its pretty easy, but there are a lot of other drain plugs under the EVO X, esp. the MR. Here goes:

Step by step picture gallery with captions/instructions for all 23 pictures: http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/gallery/6838295_XLkDA

A few of the key steps: (WARNING: This was the wrong WIX oil filter part number!)
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...51_kSwW6-M.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4..._SHtvb-M-1.jpg

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...27_ATUjD-M.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4..._ur6tf-M-2.jpg

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4..._QW7Ar-M-1.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...60_YGYUR-M.jpg

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...33_3X6z9-M.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...31_EaaJm-M.jpg
This is the right WIX oil filter!

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...59_qXooR-M.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...30_spUDi-M.jpg

Also did a oil dipstick level test during the refill:
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...61_X4rvi-M.jpg

I'm not here to argue about oil change intervals, break in procedures, synthetic vs dino oil, what filter brands are better, etc. Just a quickie "how to". :)

Cheers,

Awesome writeup. This totally makes me want to never take her into the dealerships for an oil change. Nice n Simple. Thank you :)

Thanks for the writeup and pictures. {thumbup}

yeah i think im gonna change my oil from now on b/c i dont think the dealer changes the filter every time.

awesome write up

Haven't looked under the X yet, but are there any lubrication points?

Thanks for the write up, very nicely done.

i would warm up the oil before you checked the dip stick.

My X takes about 4 and 3/4 quarts. 5 quarts seems to be too much.

no one changes my oil but me!!

and to add, this car was built to maintain.... sooooo easy to work on... i changed the oil in 15 min from jacking it up to refilling the oil....!

if you want to save yourself a few bucks, do it your self...

im not sure if i'm going to do my tranny or rear diff....a how to on both of those would be great!

When/if we change those fluids we'll do the same type of write-ups.

5 quarts is the factory capacity, regardless of the dipstick reading. I let the car drain for a long time, to get as much of the old oil out, but I did check it cold.

I've changed the oil in two X's, and both took between 4.5 - 4.75 quarts too. 5 quarts is too much from my experiences. I let both of the cars drain for about 15 minutes. I think with the oil cooler etc, it's hard to drain enough oil to warrant a full 5 quarts. What I do is add oil until it is just over half full on the dipstick (between the low and high holes). Then drive around and let the car cool down overnight. Adjust if necessary the next morning in order to get it to the max line. Usually I find that as the oil drains back into the oil pan overnight, it's just right at the max line when cold the next morning. Overfilling can be bad, so I do my best to avoid it.

I knew someone would find fault with my little how to article, even for something as simple as an oil change. :p

I suppose so... but are you really that worried about +.25 qts?

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/4...14_P6Y67-S.jpg http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/2..._a9EEW-S-1.jpg

On our LS1 V8 powered E36 we run +1.0 qts for track use and on our BMW S52 powered E36 M3 we run +1.5 qts over full - both with excellent results. In fact the one time we had oiling issues with the LS1 was when it was only at the full mark (I forgot to overfill the oil). This car makes 1.6-1.7g lateral and in long corners it can suck air if the oil slings away from the pickup.

Overfilling works very well on this and many other motors to help prevent oil starvation. We've used this trick on dozens of cars over the years, and have only seen problems from overfilling when people (mistakenly) put +3 or +4 qts in (so full that the crank was buried in oil and couldn't rotate freely in the crank case). Is the Mitsu motor somehow hyper sensitive to overfilling? I just don't think it will care if its +.25 or +.5 qts overfilled.

Wait, nevermind - I don't want to argue. :)

Thanks for doing this writeup! :thumbup: Wasn't trying to find fault with your how to, just trying to warn others based on what I've heard about overfilling leading to aeration/foam. You seem to have much more experience with it than I do, so I'm definitely not trying to argue. I'm probably just crazy about being exact with my oil levels ;)

Thanks for the write up as well, glad to know I don't have to worry about removing the entire plastic panel.

thanks for the writeup.. pls make one too for the tranny and diff oil if you can. thanks!!!

+1
Thanks a buch