I do all my oil changes on level ground without the car being elevated. I let the oil drain from the pan before removing the oil filter but every time I get a significant quantity of oil spilling out of the filter while removing it. Is there a way to remove the filter without spilling oil all over the place? Not only do I get oil all over the floor but I get it all over the engine bay. I know I have to be doing something basically wrong.

 

I change my oil the same way also. What I do position the oil pan right underneath the filter. Loosen up the oil filter slowly and you will hear the oil dripping out. Loosen it up till you get a good drip going and just wait. If you loosen the oil filter too fast it will drip all over the engine bay.

 

Jubane's method is almost exactly the same way I do it. I still get a little drip and I have to clean it up with water.

Hardest part for me with oil changes isn't that odd placement of the oil filter, it is getting the oil pan bolt off...boy is that thing ever tight.

 

Thanks guys, I'll give the slow drip technique a try.

 

I always torque it to the right value and use a fresh washer. It comes off easy and never drips.

Salim

 

Where do you get washers from?

 

Your toyota dealer should supply it. It should be universal for most toyota/lexus. I can't imagine it being different. Just ask for the one off the Camry v6 or something. Buy a few so you dont have to make a trip everytime you need just a washer.

 

Remember to wipe off any dirty oil on the front engine mount. The oil will cause the rubber to deteriorate over time.

 

The mount HarrierAWD is referring to is at the left side of the photo just below the white K&N oil filter above.