Hi, I just did my first oil change on a very fine '05 xB with 190K miles on it.

After draining oil, I undertook filter removal. When the filter came off, a significant additional amount of oil came out the filter mount, spilling all over the filter, my hands forearm, shop floor, ...making an unpleasant mess. I've never seen this happen in any other car (I've had many, though this is my first toyota). Is this normal?? Should I worry? Is it a bug, or a feature?

Additional questions:

Somewhere online I found reference to a larger compatible filter, with Toyota OEM # 90915-YZZF1. I also found reference that Walmart's Super Tech filters are made by the same manufacturer - i.e. is the same filter as OEM. Can anyone confirm this? I went to Walmart, and looked up the filter to match this OEM number, but the filter I got is no larger. (Super Tech ST4967. It fit just fine, of course) So the tip on the Toyota OEM filter did not help, insofar as it did not lead me to a larger filter. I would still like a larger filter, if it can be found. A larger filter would be easier for me to change (easier to get a tool on it, or get a grip on it), and it means more oil reserve in the engine, and more filter area, which should be a good thing. Does anyone have more information? (According to the notes on the product package, Super Tech ST4386 is supposedly compatible. Is it bigger?)

Finally, I've put in Mobil 1 synth 5W-30 oil, but I wonder now how long can I use that oil? I gather the synth oils can be used for longer periods, even as you change filters. To change oil filter, but keep the oil, I suppose I would drain into a new, clean oil bin, then change filter, then re-fill with that same oil? I've never done that before, so any tips appreciated.

LOoking forward to many more years with this car: I love the way the motor runs, gearbox shifts, and car handles! (manual trans.)

 

I have leftover oil that comes out of the filter, always have a oil pan to catch it. Just unscrew it a bit and let it drain out if you're getting it all over the place.

A 5 quart jug of synthetic oil and filter can be had for under $20 now - go ahead and change them both every 5K miles.

 

Holy crap, man, what did you do? I'd say you've got some serious issues working if that happened.






Since the filter is near vertical it and the filter mount are going to be nearly full when you remove it...completely normal. Let's not call it a 'bug'...more like an 'undocumented feature'.

Toyota OEM filters (90915-YZZF1) are typically preferred and what I run and I use the same Mobil1 5W-30. I send every oil change out to Blackstone Labs for analysis, including a TBN test, and it always comes back that I could extend my 5,000 mile oil change interval. I could probably stretch it to 7,500 miles and still be good but you can get a 5 qt. just at Walmart for right around $25.00 but it takes me right around a year to that 5,000 miles, so I'm not saving a huge amount one way or the other.

If you want to 'save' your oil for whatever reason, and I'd argue that it doesn't make much sense, you'd just let the car sit, remove the filter and put the new one on and then add oil to make up for what was in the filter you just changed. Typically people would go the other way and change the oil twice and only change the filter once but that was usually back in the days of 'dino' oil and 3,000 mile OICs.

Use the Toyota filter, stick with Mobil1 if you like, run it to 7,500 miles if you feel compelled and change both at the same time. My $.02...

 

Yeah, oil drip comes from above filter. So unscrew filter couple turns, get out of way quickly and let it drip into pan you placed below. Come back 5-minutes later and remove filter while keeping it perfectly vertical so it doesn't spill.

Use Purolator PureOne PL14477 filter. It's higher-quality construction than Toyota's filters.

I've used Mobil-1 since '80s and it's best value in full-synthetic oil. Has more detergents than anything else to keep engine clean. With Blackstone's results and recommendations, I go 10K-miles easily on my street car and 5K-miles on my Porsche track car without any issues.

 

I've never had a car that doesn't drip oil out of the filter while it's being removed - which cars don't drip?
Is it a Subaru??