Originally Posted by mrobinso
Steve H., What your saying makes sense. My question is... how difficult is it to remove the belly pan? I mean is it a time consuming process and hard to manage? Thanks!
I'm one of those guys who uses the old fashion method (draining it out of the drain plug). I believe it more completely drains everything out of the oil pan vs the vacuum (Topsider).
I know the Mercedes dealers use the vacuum, but I feel it has more to do with saving time rather than it being the best method.
The pan itself is perfectly flat (unlike most American oil pans) and the drain plug faces the passenger side of the car.
The cover is held on with 4 bolts (same size) and comes off very easily. I don't even jack the car up. I simply drive the front wheels up on two, 2"X10" boards (1 under each front tire) and that gives me enough room to reach everything. Some people have voiced opinions that because even though the front of the car is only raised less than 2", some oil may still be left in the back of the pan. All I can say is that the pan looks like it is perpendicular with the floor of my garage. The next time I change it, maybe I'll put a "level" on it just to see. Anyway, if you're afraid that you're not getting every last drop of oil out of it draining it this way, you can always add 1" to the drivers side "ramp" and that will put just a little more angle on the oil pan.
The whole process usually takes me less than a half hour to do, and yes I know the Topsider is much faster, but I don't mind spending the extra time on my car.
If I drove my car in the winter months, and since the thought of laying on a cold concrete floor doesn't sound that appealing, I would probably use the Topsider method. But my car stays parked inside during the winter months, so that's not a problem.
No matter which method you use, probably the most important thing to remember when changing your own oil, is to make sure that you get the "O-RINGS" back in their proper position on the oil filter bayonet. Actually the largest o-ring is really the only one that can be misplaced. But if it's in the wrong position, you will spray oil over the entire engine compartment.
Just pick up a "B" size, oil filter cap wrench at AutoZone or any auto parts store. (couple dollars)
I've always changed the oil myself on all my cars, and the Crossfire is by far, the easiest one I've done. I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive.