Originally Posted by
Mark
That's a good reason for not lifting the front end any more than necessary. The Mirage has a little drip tray under the filter that actually catches and directs the oil away from the engine. It's a awesome little feature that I have never seen on any other car that I have worked on.
I remove my filter from the top while making sure a tray in directly below it. Despite what anyone says, I would have an oil filter socket available. I always find myself using one even though I oil the gasket. I would rather have an oil filter on a little to tight than a little to loose, but that's me. It's a little awkward to work around the radiator hose, but it's easy enough with a small racket and oil filter socket.
I usually take a paper towel or rag and wipe off that little tray under the oil filter before installing the new one. I seldom pay for an oil change, & I have changing oil in things since my 1970s Rupp mini bike as a kid. Changing oil on a Mirage is not hard to do. I trust myself to do it right more than some quick lube places. Plus, I am in control of the oil and filter being used that way. For some people, it's not worth the effort. I get that, too!
I suppose a person could raise the front to drain the oil, and then lower the car to level again before removing and replacing the filter, if that prevented some of the filter removal oil spillage. It's good to know there is that little tray below the filter.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 automatic: 43.0 mpg (US) ... 18.3 km/L ... 5.5 L/100 km ... 51.7 mpg (Imp)