Tabitha has managed to put 7000 miles on it since its purchase in March.

The Sentra 2.0 SE/R's oil filter was conveniently nestled just under the intake manifold behind the brace just out of reach by any tool or the most skilled contortionist. It made for nightmare oil changes as compared to the Frontier, where the filter is right up front facing down, just under the skid plate.

The Juke has addressed the complaints by placing the oil filter down by the oil pan, just behind the apron. Stupid easy to get to and change, since it's opposite the drain plug.

The engine cover is the usual snap off type on all modern cars now and the oil cap is right within reach. I used a large mouth funnel to put the new oil back in.

There's really no need to even lift the car any.

I lift the front slightly to ensure all the old oil drains rearward toward the drain hole.

This is by far the easiest oil change I have done in a long time, leaving the BMW my problem child of maintenance.

I dont bother with doing my own oil changes anymore as it is cheaper/easier to let them shop down the road do them (good guys) but when I did I would base car buying decisions on numerous things, location of filter and drain plug included.

More car makers should take lessons from that. There is no reason or excuse to make routine oil changes, something you might do 20 or more times over the life of the car, difficult.

If you are going to take a page out of a design manual, check out the filter placement on this Subaru forester:



http://ab-racing.com/unique-su...ter-2014-oil-filter/

My BMW has a vertical canister filter at the front also.

The drain plug is the hard part.

I use a 3 foot extension through the wheel to get to it. Still requires a lift to get a drain pan under it.

Mars - ever thought of installing an oil drain valve, like a Fumoto, on your Beemer?

I've really come to appreciate it when the car designer's think about maintenance. My Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins is one of the best thought out engine designs I've had for performing PM. Fuel and oil filters are easily accessible.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
Mars - ever thought of installing an oil drain valve, like a Fumoto, on your Beemer?

I really like those Fumoto drain valves - I've put them on:
* My pickup
* My car
* Fiancee's car
* Daughter's car
* Future step-son's car

This weekend was the 3rd oil change on my future step son's car that we've done together. This time he did all the work under my direction. Working towards getting him comfortable doing this on his own...

quote:

Originally posted by Kevmo:
I dont bother with doing my own oil changes anymore as it is cheaper/easier to let them shop down the road do them (good guys) but when I did I would base car buying decisions on numerous things, location of filter and drain plug included.

Same here......I changed my oil a few times but stopped when I realized I was only saving about 10 bucks compared to what my mechanic charges for a oil change. Plus my mechanic tops off all fluids, adds air to the tires, does a courtesy inspection.

I'd rather know my drain plug is not stripped out by an incompetent grease monkey
So I'll do it myself

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:

quote:

Originally posted by Kevmo:
I dont bother with doing my own oil changes anymore as it is cheaper/easier to let them shop down the road do them

Same here......I changed my oil a few times but stopped when I realized I was only saving about 10 bucks compared to what my mechanic charges for a oil change. Plus my mechanic tops off all fluids, adds air to the tires, does a courtesy inspection.

Ditto. I have no problem paying the extra few bucks to have someone else do my oil changes.

Just be sure your mechanic is reputable and you know a bit about your vehicle, as inexpensive oil changes are used by some (most?) shops as a means to get less-knowledgeable car owners in the door and then dupe them out of money for additional services at a big markup.

For example, you might only be saving $10 by doing that oil change yourself, but on my last car I routinely saved $90+ by doing my air filter replacements myself. It was over $100 for the shop to do it, and I could get the OEM filters for ~$10 and spend literally 2 minutes installing them.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Same here......I changed my oil a few times but stopped when I realized I was only saving about 10 bucks compared to what my mechanic charges for a oil change. Plus my mechanic tops off all fluids, adds air to the tires, does a courtesy inspection.

I used to have other places change my oil. However, of the 3 places in town, one tried to upsell me on a $149 front differential service for a 2WD pickup (that pickup didn't have a front differential). Another that I was going to frequently with my diesel kept telling me a grease point didn't exist on my drive shaft (I had to show them 3 times on the lift) and finally broke the camel's back when they overfilled my diesel pickup by 2 quarts - then told me that it wouldn't hurt anything (I had to show them in the owner's manual where it specifically states that damage would occur).


Oil changes on my diesel were over $150 (12 quarts of synthetic oil). I can do them for about $90 and make sure that it's been properly greased.


Oil changes on my car run about $60 for synthetic. I can do it myself for about $30.


I'm not really doing it to save money - I'm doing it to make sure it gets done correctly (including properly torquing the oil filter cartridge).

I know two people who have had their engines destroyed from the quick lube places. I don’t trust them to take care of my vehicles like I do or to use synthetic oil when I pay for it (or the correct weight oil, or to fill it properly, or to replace the plug gasket etc.). I can buy synthetic oil from Advance with a filter for $35 so I dont mind doing it myself.

My dealer charges $22 for an oil change if I bring my own oil. I buy the Mobil 1 cases on sale at Costco.

Out the door for around $55 for full synthetic by a mechanic familiar with my car, oem oil filters, and oem fluids....fair deal in my opinion.

It looks like a big red tennis shoe.

My last oil and tire rotate was pretty painless.

21.50 total.

I put a few hours a week in at the Acura dealership.

No labor charges.

Bob

Dang. I read this too fast.

The title referred to the Juke and then I glanced over ....SE/R's oil... looked more to me like ...SE/ ---> R <---'s oil... and thought you had a Juke R for a bit. Thought I'd have to swing by your place and get a ride in one.

Reminds me of changing the water pump in my Cadillac. Was all doom and gloom until I read the manual. Turns out I only needed one socket and five minutes. Felt like I had cheated somehow.

quote:

I'm not really doing it to save money - I'm doing it to make sure it gets done correctly (including properly torquing the oil filter cartridge).

THIS

The E46 BMWs aren't that bad. I use ramps (with 2x4s out front to ease the slope and clear the front spoiler). Quick drain, easy cartridge filter access up top. Done.
Never have to mess with jacks and stands.

My Honda S2000 is easy. I suck the oil out with a pump and the filter is accessible from the top.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
My dealer charges $22 for an oil change if I bring my own oil. I buy the Mobil 1 cases on sale at Costco.

Out the door for around $55 for full synthetic by a mechanic familiar with my car, oem oil filters, and oem fluids....fair deal in my opinion.

I think the 5qt jugs go for $23-25 around here.