how do you exactly remove the filter? do you put your hand through the hole? do you have oil dripping on the plastic shield?

I caught the dealer (!!) red-handed cheating on my second oil change, the mechanic only changed the oil, but not the filter. He also forgot to rotate the tires as stated on the work sheet......(Orange Motor in Albany, NY) this made me wonder all other oil changes they do for me over the years......i'll have to mark the old filter if i go there again, or do the change myself......
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WEB SHOWS

 

First, I drove my car up on my home maderamps (22x9 pieces of lumber, angle cut,strapped together), which raised the car up about four inches.

And yes, I reached myarmthrough the access hole and turned the oil filter off. Luckily, the filter was not on that tight.

I tried reaching the filter from the top, I could not fit my arm down (and I certainly don't have Popeye arms).

I hadplentyof oil spilling on the shield. I would not recommend doing a change inside the garage (luckily, I was out on the street - not that I like spilling oil, but if it has to happen, better it be out on the street). Some actually splurted out when the filter was turned enough to release the seal, when the filter was still upright... it was weird, as ifthere wasoil was sitting above the filter. As I mentioned earlier, wear a t-shirt you hate. Have some paper towels within reach.

After I have gotten oil changed at an oil change place, I noticed the shield had plenty of oil on it, so I think even the "pros" (cough cough) can't get the filter off without spillage.

 

Thats one reason I like the canister oil filter, It has the drain plug to avoid the mess of the oil stored in the filter.