I did my first oil change today. I don't know who torques the filter on from the factory but they need to back it down some. I also really need to get the right wrench for it.

I just thought I'd post to let any of the DIYers know that the oil filter is on the passenger side of the car, front of the engine, just to the left (facing from front) of the exhaust downpipe. If you look under the car on that side you'll see what looks like a flap in the plastic under-cover. Remove the pop-out holder, fold the flap down and it's straight up. I don' t have any pics because I was fighting the oil filter.

nice, i only have 500 miles on mine

What kind of filter did you use? I was wanting to switch mine to synthetic, but couldn't find a listing for the filter as the car is too new. Does it use the same size as all the 2.4liter ones use?

It's the same filter as the TC, XB, and XA.

I'm curious why you would not take advantage of the first two oil changes free from the dealer. Is your dealer service that bad?

Just seems like even of you wanted to change your own, you could let them do the first two since they are included in the purchase price (i.e. you have already paid for them).

I'm wondering if its worth getting the TRD oil filter?

2 or 3 free changes? I know here in Louisiana we get 3.

It's two here in SC.

I have a list of reasons why I didn't take it back to the dealer:
1. I work 60 miles away so I'd have to take a day off to get it done or go on a Saturday morning.
2. I really don't trust anyone to work on my car unless it's something I just can't do.
3. I wanted to switch to synthetic as early as possible after break-in.
4. I had a set of Enkei wheels on my XB1 rotated and balanced by the dealer a couple years ago. It took them over 3 hours, they somehow broke the lugs/locks, and they scratched the crap out of the rims. It was bad enough they had a wheel specialist come repair them.

i have the first year of service free

I have a list of reasons why I didn't take it back to the dealer:
4. I had a set of Enkei wheels on my XB1 rotated and balanced by the dealer a couple years ago. It took them over 3 hours, they somehow broke the lugs/locks, and they scratched the crap out of the rims. It was bad enough they had a wheel specialist come repair them.
That one would make me do it myself too. Even if I go to my local dealer for an oil change I never let them rotate the tires.

Had a guy at work took his Mazda3 to the local Mazda dealer for an oil change only and they somehow managed to break one of his wheels. :roll:

Yeah, umm, cuz you know, you gotta take the wheel off to get to the filter.......ROTFLMAO!!!!

I got 3 years 45,000 miles for my oil changes in Savannah, GA.
Also free tires for as long as I own the car and have it serviced at that dealership. I am in the Army and Deploying soon so, the car won't be serviced there and they will still honor the tire warranty when I get back from Iraq. I love Scion.......

with all first oil changes, the oil filter is cranked on by machine most likely.
some are harder then others. try a new F-150 :nails: :no:

did my change as well and was surprised that 4 q's of oil were all that i needed to pour in there...i keep checkin every day to see if i need to add some but its 3/4 of the way uo in between the two dots on teh dip stick...

I work at a dealer here in Miami. Trust me do not take your car to the dealer for an oil change. Its best to do it yourself or go somewhere that you can see them working on it yourself.

why? can you elaborate?