Oil filter(spin-on) location for 2009 Vibe 2.4l. engine?

[gwm]

OK, I used the search feature for this question but no one answered the question very clearly. My old 2003 had the filter up front, where it was easy to see from the top of the engine. I'm trying to decide whether to catch some of the current oil sales & do the changes myself. But, being lazy & not wanting to get out my ramps(not even sure if I can get the lower fascia of the GT to clear the ramps without some extra pieces of wood), I hoped somebody on the forum could help me out. I can't see the filter from the top of the engine bay & can't get under the car to see anything. Help! Where is the danged thing?

[ToolGuy]

Sorry I can't help with the location but get a set of Rhino Ramps. They are made of high impact plastic, easy to move around and are low profile for cars with ground effects and such. They are what I use.

[nygiantzz1]

The filter is to the left of the oil drain pan if you are facing the engine from the front of the car. I have done 3 oil changes so far on my 09 and did not need to raise the car. It's pretty easy to get to.

[ColonelPanic]

You won't find a spin-on on the 2.4, they have a cartridge style filter. Where it's at, I have no clue. The new 1.8 still has a spin-on.

[star_deceiver]

Take a better look, the 2009 1.8 has a cartrige type (and can make quite a mess if you're not careful!)

[star_deceiver]

Here's the 1.8

Attached files

[ColonelPanic]

Hell, i don't know... I don't own one. I was just regurgitating what I think I've read here before.

[gwm]

OK, here's an update. I did the oil change today. The filter IS located to the left of the oil pan(as you are facing the engine from the front of the car), but it is in front of the pan also. There is a plastic shroud beneath the filter that leaves a hand sized hole to reach up to grasp the filter. I had to use a filter wrench to loosen the filter and by the time you had the wrench tight on the filter, you could only rotate the filter a few degrees at a time. The real fun came when I put the new one on. By the time I had the thing tight, the wrench had chewed up the filter casing almost to the point of maybe using another filter.Also, when I first tried to put the GT up on my ramps, I scratched the paint on the bottom of the front fascia. So I had to put some 2 X 10's up on the ramps to even use them. I tried to change the oil like nygiantzz1 suggested(no ramps), but I couldn't fit under the car! Now I know why I stopped changing my oil by myself(a few years back). I've become too cheap to go back to the old days(of getting someone else to do it). So I'd better figure out a more efficient way for the next time. Thanks for listening to this tale......

[nygiantzz1]

It sounds like you're using the wrong type of filter wrench. I use an end cap filter wrench-65mm w/ a 3/8" socket extension. You really can't use a strap style wrench for the reasons you described, no room to work. The next time you do an oil change, use an end cap wrench and try using a floor jack behind the passenger wheel to elevate the car enough to slide under (block the back wheels first) I'm a skinny guy and can still get away with not lifting the car. Here's a link to the filter wrench you need http://www.napaonline.com/Mast...d+Cap

[gwm]

You're right about that filter wrench socket. I was nosing around a Pep Boys today & saw those. I took a Puro PL14477 off the shelf & found the appropriate size wrench. Then it hit me, "I think I've got one of these at home somewhere." So, when I returned home I started digging through "my stuff" & there it was! DUH! Like I said, I hadn't done oil changes myself for awhile. So now I'm better prepared for the next time. Your suggestion about the lift jack is a good one, but wouldn't that leave more old oil in the pan than normal?Any more suggestions? I was in a hurry & trying to beat a thunderstorm & didn't really plan my procedure very well. Like I said, hopefully I'll prepare better next time & use the proper equipment.Thanks, nygiantzz1.

[ou.grizzly]

Dealer insists the 2.4 Litre Engine is a spin-on type oil filter where the 1.8 Litre Enginer has a cartridge type oil filter. Easy way to change your oil also without putting the vehicle up on ramps.http://www.griotsgarage.com/pr...e=all

[star_deceiver]

And after pumping that thing for half an hour you tell me that spending $90+ on it was easier then just doing it the normal way...

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by gwm »You're right about that filter wrench socket. I was nosing around a Pep Boys today & saw those. I took a Puro PL14477 off the shelf & found the appropriate size wrench. Then it hit me, "I think I've got one of these at home somewhere." So, when I returned home I started digging through "my stuff" & there it was! DUH! Like I said, I hadn't done oil changes myself for awhile. So now I'm better prepared for the next time. Your suggestion about the lift jack is a good one, but wouldn't that leave more old oil in the pan than normal?Any more suggestions? I was in a hurry & trying to beat a thunderstorm & didn't really plan my procedure very well. Like I said, hopefully I'll prepare better next time & use the proper equipment.Thanks, nygiantzz1.You could always nail a few sections of 2x10 together and make ramps... you just meed to make the first piece about 3' long, the second about 2' long and the 3rd about 1.5' long and the 4 about 1' long... this is how a lot of the really low guys get up...

[star_deceiver]

I use 6 pieces of 1 foot rough 1x4 piled like a pyramid under both front wheels. You don't need to nail it together but be careful when driving up them as it's easy to drive over them and end up on the other side. This setup lifts the car about 4 inches off the ground which leaves plenty of room to crawl underneath. The plus is that because it's so short of a ramp, you have more room to crawl around the wheels. (don't forget to use the E-brake...)Where I park, the rear of the car is higher then the front. So after the Vibe is on the ramp, the front end is only about an inch higher then the rear. After the oil filter is out I let the car sit for about 15-20 minutes or so to drip.

[Kincaid]

Yep, don't want to go too far on those homemade ramps. I did that in high school with a GMC pick up. The ramp kicked up on one side and pushed a big dent up in the rocker panel.

[Whelan]

I don't trust ramps, that's what I got a 3 ton Craftsman jack, 4 jack-stands and a cradle.

[bikeman1]

Just went through this with my new 2.4L 2009. Indeed it was a pain to find the filter -- needed the help from this post to find it, thanks! -- though I like the design now that I see it.The recessed area for the (vertical) filter is just fore and to the passenger side from the drain plug (use a 9/16" box-end wrench for this). the stock filter is a toyota 90915-10004 which is smooth with a 12-facet top -- works well with a cup-type extractor that uses a 3/8" ratchet, that is what it is set up for. But if you use the Fram PH4386 replacement with the rough-coated top, you can both set and unscrew the replacement filter by hand to prevent overtightening. Either way works.Note the oil is 5W20 not 5W30 as for the old 1.9L engines. One can reach everything without raising the vehicle. I do jack mine up (and block under the passenger wheel arm) to get more room to work for the drain pan. But I find it easier to do than the older vibes.Thanks to y'all for a useful post. I am sure this will puzzle others.

[bikeman1]

and while I was down there....what in blazes are the plastic tabs in front of the front wheels for? The ones I have been scraping all over town. They won't last long. Near as I can tell they are an early warning system for people who might bash the front plastic. Sure do get in the way

[star_deceiver]

I read somewhere that they were for aerodynamics.... but I could be wrong!

[Scooter Dave]

Quote, originally posted by bikeman1 »....what in blazes are the plastic tabs in front of the front wheels for? Spoilers for your tires (to improve MPG).

[bikeman1]

hope they can be replaced then....they are wearing down fast at the bottom of hills. Hey maybe I'll get some aluminum house flashing when I replace....give me a nice lily-white mod plus some sparks whenever I grind em at night!

[Silversn95]

There is no reason to use homemade ramps, they make low-profile ramps. I have a set of the Rhino Ramps that work for the Vibe with no issue. Hell, I figured if it could get the mustang up without scraping then the Vibe shouldn't be an issue.

[09Vibe]

Plastic tabs scraping ? You'd have to have alot of weight in the car for those to hit the ground I would think ? Those are also located at the rear although not as big - their design feature is intended to keep road debris, mainly salt / sand and crap from spraying the heck out of your rotors and other brake assembly components during driving. They are not there for any aerodynamic purpose, many cars employ them and they do work well - extending the life of your hardware that they protect.