@rageandlove


...from my inbox save 15% on Fumoto through Nov.8, 2019:

@jrandom Thanks! Ordered.

After reading all the complaints about the complexity and location of the oil filter canister, I wasn't looking forward to changing my oil the first time. But I have to agree it's really not bad at all.

I was pleased that the oil from the drain plug literally drains straight down. I didn't spill a drop anywhere. The only issue I had was the original crush gasket seemed to be welded to the drain pan. I had to take a flat head screwdriver and gently tap it off. No big deal.

Went in for my first dealership oil change. Man, was I nervous. I pulled off my skidplate at home and drove to the dealership (15m away) a little paranoid of running anything over. Gave them a bunch of instructions -keep tires at 38psi and not 32 like they always do, don't re-install skid plate, grease driveline zerks, yolks, and to clean up any oil spillage really well underneath as I'll be inspecting it for "manufacturer defects" (i.e. oil change monkey **** ups). I'm sure they loved me as a client, but I'm not going to risk my time bringing it back in case they **** up.

Re-installing the TRD skid plate in the parking lot wasn't much fun. The TRD plate doesn't have hooks so you have to line shit up perfectly while suspending the skid plate yourself while being careful with the bolts so as to not cross thread shit. It was also -5C outside.

I picked up a couple oil change kits and drain plug gaskets for down the road to do 6 month oil change intervals on my own while I was there.

Pro tip (kinda) - I found that 1-gallon distilled water jugs (like this) made it easy to put the TRD skid plate back on - they are about 2" lower than the skid plate when it's bolted up.

So, put 4 of them down in a square under the bolt holes, slide the skid plate over top, and they hold it in place just below the frame. Then you can thread the bolts through the plate and tighten everything up without struggling to hold it in place while you thread, etc.

I have a bunch in my garage for earthquake preparedness ... and they cost less than a buck.

I dont buy these things new so I probably just dont understand, but I don't think it would be worth it to me to "save" $75 by getting a free oil change when I would have to take it to a place I don't trust to R&R a skid plate.

If you have warranty and want to keep it, there are some service intervals you're mandated to do which include an oil change. So, some are unavoidable unfortunately.

I do the non-mandated ones myself.

By law, you are not required to have the dealer service your car in order to maintain the warranty. Anyone can do it, you just have to be prepared to show evidence (i.e. receipt for oil and filter, mechanic, etc.)

This. Do it yourself if you can. Many are conditioned to think the dealer has to perform these services. My last...I don't know how many...vehicles have never been back to the dealership for any oil service, or anything I can do myself. Keep your receipts.

Maybe in Canada?

The thing is if you had some suspicious failure due to "oil" just send a sample into Blackstone and have it verified.

What mileage do you plan on to do changes ?

I took my '18 in for the 2 free oil changes against all my instincts.

I did an oil change about 2k miles ago and could not for the life of me get that plastic filter housing off. Ended up using the Toyota tool(grabs on to the bottom and flanges) to get the plastic housing off along with a breaker bar, thought for sure with all the force required to remove it I was going to break it. I was actually starting to wonder if the filter was ever changed at the dealership, or how they got that thing on so damn tight.

Got lucky and was able to remove it in one piece.

Long time ago there was a group buy here for a guy in Massachusetts that makes an aluminum housing with a Fujimoto valve on it, so I was finally able to put that on, along with a Stahlbus oil drain valve. I have used Stahlbus valves on all my bikes and they work great, a lot better built than the Fujimoto valves IMO.

Once I get a skid plate the oil changes should be a breeze.

I drive about 10k-12k kms (not miles) a year. My dealership says one oil change a year or every 15k kms, whichever comes first.

So, im looking at one a year so i figured to change it around June, give or take a month depending on how busy/lazy i feel.

Weird. I specifically asked the dealership lemming on the phone what is required to keep my warranty re oil changes. Like, can I do them all myself or...? She said the ones at every major service since i got extended warranty are required.

Might very well be the case of having spoken to someone that just blurts shit out without thinking.