unforgivably stupid thread about oil changes

yes, hello -- absolute dolt here.

how do you guys prevent oil from dripping everywhere when you change the oil filter?

usually, i take a giant trash bag, place it under the oil filter, and do my best not to spill anything.

sometimes, this works; other times, i cry.

i don't want to cry anymore. i don't want my skid plate dirty anymore. i don't want to be responsible for global warming with my 1/64th of a cup of oil spilling on the concrete. i don't want that black van sitting outside of my house after every oil change anymore.

please help.

 

Saw a guy mention that he puts a red solo cup around the filter when he takes them off. Haven’t tried it myself.

 

that's clever. i thought about repurposing a soda jug with cutouts for my oil filter wrench. which brings me to another question . . . err, rather, another problem i have experienced . . . i find it quite difficult to loosen the oil filter from the top (in other words, reaching into the engine bay). rather, i get under the truck, reach my arm through an opening between the skid plate and frame, and loosen the oil filter. oddly, this has been a lot easier for me than removing the splash shield or going from the top (as just mentioned). if it works then it works, i suppose? nevertheless, i am still curious what other folks do, especially those with a lift and big tires.

 

If you pull the rubber trim panel away in the fender well you can get to it easily with a filter wrench. It's even easier with a lift.

 

I mentioned in a response above that I actually find that more difficult but I hear you; that usually would be a lot easier. Tbh, and this is kind-of embarrassing, I don’t have a jack or set of jack stands so the front wheel is in my way, which is probably why this is difficult for me.

In my defense, I opened this thread by announcing that I am an absolute dolt so you can’t get mad at me; it’s illegal.

 

Never heard the oil change place say any thing about drips?

 

that's not stupid everyone has different amounts of tools and skills. Yes through the Fenderwell is kinda a pita but once you're lifted you can just lay on top of the tire. Personal preference. I end up having to spray it all down with brake clean when I'm done.

 

I'm not familiar with the 1st gen specifically, but I've always included a large piece of cardboard in my (small) pile of oil change tools and supplies. Failing that, a tarp you don't care much about.

I'd love to see a vehicle designed for 100% mess free oil changes. I can do it on the 3rd gen using minimal supplies and only a few drips on my cardboard.

 

Puncture the bottom of your filter and let it drain into a funnel or cup first. Then remove

 

Can under the oil filter.

 

I remove the skid every time, so that changes the available techniques. For the oil filter I use a piece of cardboard situated in a way that it funnels the oil away and into my pan. There is very little mess this way.

If you wanted to access the oil filter (3.4l) through the wheel well could you just turn the wheel hard left? I haven't tried it on the Tacoma but I on my wife's Honda to gain access through the wheel well.

 

wut

thank you, fren

I live in an apartment building so I always grab a giant piece of cardboard and lay it beneath my truck. still, tho, id prefer zero mess.

I have after market skid plates (all pro) and they’re a HUGE pita to get on and off. But I hear you.

 

Oil udder and form a funnel. Read about both here in 4 cylinder area I think. Have purchased both but haven’t had an oil change yet ti try them. Believe both will work.

 

oil udder? Utter? Like a cow? Are you suggesting that I milk my truck? Did I just invent a new meme?

 

I used a cottage cheese container. Once you break the filter loose you can finish unscrewing it with your fingertips while holding holding the cottage cheese container underneath.

 

I don’t eat cheese so I don’t think that will work.

 

Haha, pretty much. I've seen them used on vertical filters not sure how much good it would do on a horizontal filter. I find most of the oil isn't running down the body of the filter but out of the filter opening.

 

Cardboard is your friend.

 

I left my imaginary friend phase behind about two years ago

 

Do you want help or not? Look it up. Or not. Next time I won’t waste my time.