Topic: Changing oil/filter - how?

[jtmann]

Hello,

Interested to get comments from the forum re: the level of difficulty of changing oil/filter for my 2007 Camry. My local shop can do it but I'm interest in doing on my own and shifting to synthetic/high mileage oil.

My specific questions are:
1. Could I drain the old oil effectively using a siphon (I use one to drain old oil/gas out of snowblower, lawnmower, etc and wondering is same would work effectively to drian old oil from the Camry)? I don't have access to nor want to go the jack/hoist route

2. How difficult to change the filter/what special tools required if any?

Thanks

[articsteve]

1.  No, you can't use a siphon.

2.  Initially, it will be on tight, after your first install you should get it off with you hand.  You gotta jack the car up to get at the filter.  To get a tight filter off use a large pipe wench or drive a screw driver thru it and use it as a handle.

No avoiding lifting the vehicle.

[No H2O]

I don't have access to nor want to go the jack/hoist route.

Drain it using the drain bolt. Siphoning does not get all the crud out.

I don't use a jack/hoist/ramps to drain my engine oil in the Yaris and it is low. If needed, have some 2 x 12s cut to 2 feet length, stagger them and drive your wheels up on them for an extra few inches of clearance.

How difficult to change the filter/what special tools required if any?

Buy a new oil filter, take it to an auto supply store and get a filter wrench socket that fits...less than $10.

[dr_spock]

Search youtube.com for "oil change camry" to get an idea of the degree of difficulty. 

[ktm525]

No offense but judging by your questions I would highly reccomend a garage taking care of it. If you screw up then you have a $5000 paper weight.

[airbalancer]

see if your local high school or college as a night school on cars
that way you have someone to show you , and you probably get your oil change using their equipment