Recently purhasing my '04 Coupe with no written history report from the owner, I figured it was time for the oil change. I have used NAPA oil and filters in our fleet cars for years with no problems. With that in mind, I purchased a NAPA oil filter. After some comparisions, I am not sure that was a good idea.







Can anyone tell if this is the original oil filter?

 

Once I got the belly pan off, the plug was very easy to get to.





I happened to have the perfect fit wrench in my toolbox for the filter housing.



I added 8 qts of oil.



Did you notice you can't get a funnel down in the fill tube real good. That is a PIA to hold the funnel the whole time.

 

Is this the proper level after adding 8 qts of oil?



Also has anyone left the belly pan off to get rid of more engine heat while going down the road?

Do you think I should change out the oil filter for a different one? What and where?

Thanks, James

 

Since I have no track record of oil changes, I plan to change it again at 3000 miles. What are your opinions of oil change intravals after that?

I am just a 'blue collar' worker, so $60 oil changes will only be done when recommended, not before!

Thanks, James

 

I left my belly pan off too thinking more air will get under the hood to benefit my open intake. What do others think?
I did my first oil change last week with the Napa Gold which is really the Mann filter.

 

Good pics and lots of detail. I may have to get a new oil funnel. I don't put many miles in a year's time, So I will only change mine once a year. I am putting in Mobil 1 0w-30w in my Crossfire. Thanks, Jay-Impala-man

 

This thread convinced me to do the oil change myself, the car runs so much smoother! My filter looks like yours, next time im going to order the mbz one, because it looks like a much nicer part.

 

If anything I would think you would lose performance due to increase turbulance under the car. The easiest ways to improve aerodynamics of a car are to remove the mirrors, lower the car, and reduce airflow/turbulance under the car. for what its worth id put it back on.

 

I recommend the fleece oil filters.
Lots of discussion here on the forum about how they hold up better than paper filters.

http://www.germanfilters.com/2005-me...r-p-45203.html

Buy a 4 pack even cheaper.


Also 8 quarts will bring your oil level to almost full on the dipstick.
The photo shown is a fine oil level.

 

I paid the same price for the POS I put in my car, I think I might buy the 4 pack now and change the other one out. That one looks alot like the K&N, Im going to order one into the store I work at to check it out, I'll post pictures if anyone's interested.

 

Since it was made in August of 2006, I doubt it is the original filter.

FWIW - Your new filter is a paper filter, not a fleece filter. It actually will do a great job filtering your oil, but it isn't up to the task of lasting a full 7,000 miles for a standard FSS oil change interval. For that you'll need to get a fleece filter.


ALSO, as far as the funnel, I've got a tip that can save you some time and effort. After removing the old oil and oil filter, simply pour the oil down the filter opening. It is a nice big target, and Mobil 1 bottle balance well on it to allows the bottle to drip out for a few second while you open the next bottle.

 

Like your idea of pouring the oil into the canister. That's good for 8 quarts, but topping it off requires the old-fashioned way. Has anyone found a screw-on extension that fits a Mobil 1 bottle? Why couldn't they manufacture a container with the same size cap as the other oil manufacturers? What a PITA!

 

ha ha ha that paper filter looks like junk....go with fleece

 

This is on the shelf waiting for the next oil change...

 

I dont know if i just have to worst luck in the world or what. I used to have a 04 coupe until i got hit and totaled it. But before that happened i took off the belly pan thing and i good sized rock flew up and got jamed into a pully and split my belt. I now have a 05 srt and am not taking it off. I was thinking that it would be a good idea incase you go over a speed bump or a grade that you might bottom out at. Its a nice protection.

 

That piece of plastic wont help much if you bottom out on something hard. But it will keep loose stuff from flying up into the engine bay. Good luck to us all.

MikeR