How easy is it to change your own oil on 3.5L V6?

[Blue Goose]

I'm going to start changing the oil on my wife's 04 FWD 3.5L V6 and was wondering how easy this is?

Do you need to put it up on ramps? I have a set of Rhino's if I need to. How accessible is the oil filter? I heard it was in awkward postion and you have to "feel" where it is. Hope I'm wrong about that as that sounds like the beginning of a big mess.

Tried searching but didn't find anything specific to this through 4 pages.

Any advice from you DYI guys would be appreciated :usa:

[vintagegz]

The only awkward thing I found was trying to get a strap wrench around the filter, so I went to the Honda dealer and bought an oil filter removal cup that fits on the bottom of the Honda filter, then use an extension and a ratchet to remove it. The ramps do not have to be very high, 3-4 inches of height should be enough as the Vue has good ground clearance. While you are at the Honda dealer get some filters there, and the block heater cord is only around $20! You will probably require a funnel to get the oil back in, but very easy job.

[Jldet5]

Easy, I don't use ramps, get the cup style filter remover as suggested. I also use the twist open/close oil bottle spouts...a must have.

[Blue Goose]

I'll be using Purolator 14610 Premium Plus filters so I'm all set there along with 5W20 Havoline.

I was more concerned on the location of the oil filter and is easily accessible?

I think I remember reading that it is in a place that when you take it off,oil (can)goes all over the axle or something like that. :xeye:

[Jldet5]

I'll be using Purolator 14610 Premium Plus filters so I'm all set there along with 5W20 Havoline.

I was more concerned on the location of the oil filter and is easily accessible?

I think I remember reading that it is in a place that when you take it off,oil (can)goes all over the axle or something like that. :xeye:

I just turn the tires to the right. Its next to the right tire. Easy to get to in the garage.

[Bill Murray]

Degree of difficulty is halfway between an S Sat and an Ecotec :D
BTW you can buy those filter end cup wrenches at Wal-Mart for 2 bucks.

[spencerb]

The filter is so small I got filter pliers for it. You can't see where it screws in but it's not hard to feel for it.

I jacked the vue up a couple of inches because my drain plug was on so tight I couldn't get enough leverage with the ratchet with it close to the ground.

While we're on this subject, I found a metal washer in my oil drain pan about 3/4" in diameter. Did this come off the drain plug or ??? I guess it could be from anything in the garage. It wouldn't surprise me if it jumped out of my tool chest into the pan.

[Blue Goose]

That metal washer is probably the crush gasket from your drain plug. I know on my Matrix I need one or it leaks like crazy(found that out the hard way!)

I asked at Parts at my Saturn dealer and the washer gaskets are like a buck a piece. :hmpf: (Toyota gave me five and only charged me for 1, .98 cents....another Yota dealer gave me 3 for free)

I asked about the gasket a few weeks back and some people said they have one and others said they didn't. A lot times it may not come off with the plug and stick to the pan. May not notice it unless you really look hard.

Ok, I'll take a look the time it is light enough for me to see....I remember when I had my Vue I could never find the darn filter!

[burnout]

The filter is so small I got filter pliers for it. You can't see where it screws in but it's not hard to feel for it.

I jacked the vue up a couple of inches because my drain plug was on so tight I couldn't get enough leverage with the ratchet with it close to the ground.

While we're on this subject, I found a metal washer in my oil drain pan about 3/4" in diameter. Did this come off the drain plug or ??? I guess it could be from anything in the garage. It wouldn't surprise me if it jumped out of my tool chest into the pan.

Did you reinstall the plug WITHOUT the metal gasket?!@?!!@@!? :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:

[sspeer]

Definitely an easy task... I think all the tips have been mentioned..turn the wheel to the right, get the cup style removal tool.. I want to say a 17mm socket for the oilpan...could be wrong though..

Good choice on the filter and oil. I've read good things about both

[dogturd21]

While we're on this subject, I found a metal washer in my oil drain pan about 3/4" in diameter. Did this come off the drain plug or ??? I guess it could be from anything in the garage. It wouldn't surprise me if it jumped out of my tool chest into the pan.
WHAT? You forgot the washer?
You better go back and check, as I bet that is the aluminum (or is it copper?) washer that seals the drain bolt. They are supposed to be replaced every 1 or 2 changes, but I think most people reuse them a bunch of times. You are going to have to drain the oil unless you are quick fingered and plug it up with your finger...that way you might only loose a fraction of a quart. If you do not have them, they are cheap at the Saturn dealer (or Honda dealer).

[Blue Goose]

Ok , got a chance to take a look at this and yes, by turning the wheels to the right I can see the filter. Just waiting for a warm enough day now :) Am I able to fit under the front to get at the drain plug? I'm about 5'11 and 185lbs if that helps lol

[Jldet5]

Ok , got a chance to take a look at this and yes, by turning the wheels to the right I can see the filter. Just waiting for a warm enough day now :) Am I able to fit under the front to get at the drain plug? I'm about 5'11 and 185lbs if that helps lol

No problem, plenty of clearance.

5/11 and a not too proud 220....gonna loose in the New Year... I swear.

[Blue Goose]

Well, if it is any consolation, I was about 220 last June and I lost all the weight just by not eating junk, watching my calorie intake and walking a mile and a half each day at lunch. No crazy workout or dieting, just walking and watching what I ate :)

[wbloomfield]

No problem. A peice of cake!! You have lots of room to boot. I have done it lots of times. Good luck..:us:

[Jldet5]

Well, if it is any consolation, I was about 220 last June and I lost all the weight just by not eating junk, watching my calorie intake and walking a mile and a half each day at lunch. No crazy workout or dieting, just walking and watching what I ate :)

Thanks:yes: That is the plan!:grnjump: :grnjump:

[Blue Goose]

Counter clockwise to take the drain plug out right? Lefty loosey?

I went to change the oil yesterday and for the life of me I could not loosen the drian plug...it is nuked on there :upset: Last change was at the dealer so they had to be the ones who hammered it on there. Without putting it on ramps I can't get leverage to undo it.

Pep Boys is running a 11.99 special after rebate...I think I'll do that tonight at least to carry me into the spring....jeeesh what a pain

[bigc791]

Napa sells the drain plug washers for cheap.
Carmen

[spencerb]

I went to change the oil yesterday and for the life of me I could not loosen the drian plug...it is nuked on there :upset: Last change was at the dealer so they had to be the ones who hammered it on there. Without putting it on ramps I can't get leverage to undo it.I had to jack up the passenger side to get enough leverage to loosen the bolt. Which, I suppose, needs its washer. :D I didn't even notice it had a washer until I see it sitting in the drain pan AFTER my oil change. Well, I'm not leaking any oil... Even so it won't be too bad since I put in a hair too much.

[WLKVUE]

Here are some observations from my first oil change in my 2006 VUE 3.5 V6.

1. Used ramps as I am 6' 2" and 270 lbs abd don not crawl under anything.

2. Had no problems loosening the drain plug and was watching out for the washer so I didn't loose it. Never have replaced a drain plug washer in 35 years of self administered oil changes, some vehicles with over 150,000 miles on the same plug and washer, I change oil and filter every 3,000 miles, and I have never had any leaks, so I put the used one back on. I will monitor it for leaks anyway.

3. How to avoid getting oil all over the lower a frame and other parts.
a. Use a small screwwdriver to pop out the six plastic fasteners that holdthe dirt/water shield from the passenegr side of the engine compartment and remove the shield. This will give you plenty of room to loosen the oil filter with any type of tool.
b. Loosen the filter just enough so that you can loosen it the rest of the way by hand, [B]but not enough so that the oil stars dripping from the top of the filter.[B]
c. Take a pice of thin cardboard about 8"X10" and bend it in a curve and put it up under the filter so when you loosen the oil filter enough to let the oil start draining, the oil will drain onto the cardboard and then down into you drain pan, and not onto anything else.
d. Loosen the oil filter enough so that the oil drains onto the cardboard and into the drain pan. Once enough oil has drained you can clean the filter with an old rag or paper towels and remove it completely.
e. Remove the cardboard, install the new filter, replace the shield, toss the old filter and oily cardboard, add new oil and away you go.

Yes, it is a pain to have to remove the plastic shield, but doing so gives you so much more room to work in and to position the piece of cardboard to keep the oil going where you want it to, in the drain pan and not on the rest of the front end.

[GearGuy]

Just did my first oil change last weekend. Previous change was done by the dealership (free coupon).

I put it up on ramps because I wanted plenty of room and wanted to look around the underside anyways. It also puts the oil pan at more of an angle for better drainage.

Used a combo drain pan / collection container. What do you call those things? They located the drain plug and filter close together which is great, so one container catches both when draining.

17mm on the drain plug. Washer was bonded to the plug, don't know why. Nice to see a cast oil pan. I'm not crazy about sheet metal pans.

Didn't see an easy way to get the filter wrench on the filter so I used my latex gloved hand. Unscrewed no problem. I'll get the filter cup for the next change.

Slipped a good size funnel under the radiator support and into the filler opening with a slight twist. Used a Purolator PureONE filter and Havoline 5W-20.

Running great! :yes:

[bigc791]

That washer should be replaced every oil change. Its a crush washer.
Carmen

[spencerb]

I left the washer off by mistake for 6K miles and no oil leaked. On the next oil change I put it back on.

[jks06]

Thanks for the tips posted here. Did my first change yesterday at 600 miles, and with the advice of removing the splash shield and turning the wheels I had it done in under 20mins. Now I've got Royal Purple synthetic running through her and away we go.