I changed the oil for the first time in my beautiful new Daytona Blue roadster. I wasn't sure what to expect. After removing the plastic undercover, I couldn't believe my eyes --- there was the oil filter within easy reach.

What's up with that? With my Honda, the oil filter is almost impossible to get to, and the oil runs down on the exhaust pipe. What a mess! The filter on my old Toyota was upside down, and it was impossible to avoid oil running down my arm and into my armpit. Even my old 300ZX burned my hand on the exhaust manifold trying to reach it.

Am I missing something with the Z? Was I supposed to take the engine out first? The oil just dripped into the drain pain without hitting something first and without burning my hand. What was Nissan thinking?

To make matters more confusing, it took exactly 5.0 quarts to fill it. My Honda takes 4.58392834479827983891908374982 quarts. It's hard buying 4.58392834479827983891908374982 quarts of oil.

Oh well, this is a whole new deal for me. I guess I'll just have to get used to it.

 

Have you seen the dipstick? Now whoever made that is a flippin genious!

 

haha.

the dipstick design is horrible. i have to try a few times to get an accurate oil reading.

 

Isn't that the truth. I told my wife the same thing, did the Jeep which drips oil all over the exhaust. It is, however, wonderful for dispersing pesky mosquitos as the oil burns off during the subsequent journey. The jetta has it mounted above the front suspension in such a manner that you can't get a filter wrench on it and turn it more than about 1/987'th of a turn. The Nissan is absolutely wonderful to work on provided you can get it up on the ramps without pushing them (use a 2x4) across the garage floor.

Best design I've seen yet. My old 1988 Chevy Cavalier was the worst though. I actually had to remove the passenger front tire and the wheelwell housing to get to the filter, now that makes the dipstick seem worth of a design award.

 

I agree the position of the filter and the drain bolt is great, but it's almost off set by the billion bolts you have to unscrew to remove the plastic plate. Not to mention screwing them all back after you are done.....

 

That's why I have a power screwdriver

But I can definitely concur on the Honda (Civic) oil filter location though... not so readily accessible... reminds me, my beater is due for a change now...