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Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 9:15 am
by kengray
I'm going to do the first oil/filter change on my '15 PW by myself. I have changed the oil/filter many times on my old '03 Ram 2500 and it was pretty easy. The '15 change looks pretty easy, except accessing the filter might be tight. Has anyone done an oil change themselves and can offer any tips? Thanks
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 9:28 am
by dogcar3
My only tip since you seem experienced already would be to use a 5 gallon bucket as a drain pan. Fits great up to the bottom of the pan and prevents splashing.
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 11:07 am
by Snowsled
The filter isn't bad. You just reach up over the smart bar box and you can easily get your hand on it. It has a drain channel built in so the mess is reduced. I used a standard low pro drain pan and didn't end up with too big a mess.
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:49 pm
by kengray
Thanks for the tips. Do you recommend a strap type wrench to loosen the filter ?
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:58 pm
by Will
I change mine all the time. I stick a piece of cardboard, specifically a waxed beer carton behind the lip behind the oil filter all the way to the catch pan. This makes the oil go to the catch pan and not all over the front axle when you loosen the filter. I don't use a wrench on the filter, hand tight is good. Draining the actual oil pan is easy.
Note, this is a 2010 with 5.7 .... But maybe worth sharing...
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:06 pm
by kengray
So you don't need a wrench to loosen the filter?
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:18 pm
by blindsquirrel33
Will wrote:I change mine all the time. I stick a piece of cardboard, specifically a waxed beer carton behind the lip behind the oil filter all the way to the catch pan. This makes the oil go to the catch pan and not all over the front axle when you loosen the filter. I don't use a wrench on the filter, hand tight is good.
X2!
I use a piece of 3"PVC cut laterally and stick it behind the lip. Fits perfect and drains the oil into the catch pan.
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:38 pm
by Snowsled
I didn't need a wrench on mine, just a good grip!
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 4:09 pm
by loveracing1988
kengray wrote:So you don't need a wrench to loosen the filter?
They make sockets that fit the end of the oil filter, I had one from my dealer days that fit perfectly, 3/8 ratchet and it is off for the factory filter.
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:36 pm
by Txpowerwagon
Changing on the 15 sux.. I finally yaked that plastic drain out of the way so I could get a filter wrench on it... with that drain on there there was no way I could get my arms around the smartbar.. I do have huge forearms, but I dont see how anyone could get in that little space.. so now I get a filter wrench on it then I put a plastic cone filter up under it and let it drain that way... not too bad now
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:41 am
by MoparToYou
My '16 was easy to change. Use a socket style filter wrench with a couple of 3/8" extensions and it is easy to get to the filter. There is a built in channel that directs the oil, so that it drains right into your oil pan, and not all over the axle. It is one of the easier and cleaner vehicles I have changed the oil on.
Re: Oil change DIY 1st time advice
Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:57 pm
by kengray
Oil change complete. Thanks to all for the tips. 5 gallon bucket worked great for oil drain, no splash. Removing filter was the hardest part, but once I got my arm through to reach it with a cap style wrench it was smooth sailing.