DIY servicing. Oil filter tool and spark plug socket.

[Konrad C]

Since I have owned my 1.8 V'matic Tourer, I have decided that I will carry out the oil changes. I have done this with all my previous cars, and since this car is seven years old, will do the same for this car.

The car was last serviced according to the book July 2015, before I took ownership in September. When I checked the cabin and air filters, they needed changing. I did this because my brother who takes his Renault to the dealer for servicing, mentioned the same filters needed changing (especially the cabin filter, which is hard to access)! 

I get the impression that they do some items and leave others. 

Then I checked the spark plugs only to find they had not been touched since the car came out of the factory! I only did the check because avensisd4d786 mentioned a deal with sparkplugs. 

I had to buy a 14mm sparkplug socket to change the plugs. 

So, when the car was gettting the MOT, I had a good look under the car, and noticed how easy it is to access the oil sump plug and filter. Just undo a door to the undershield. 

I researched the filter removal tool and got one from eBay. I am ready for this cars next oil change in July.

The tools:-

 The socket is a Laser 4376 3/8" socket 14mm(8mm) from Machine Mart. You can get cheaper on the 'net. The oil filter socket is 64.5mm 14 flute 3/8", known by various different names Sealey VS7111, Blueprint ADT35503, Draper 29130 or Laser 5160.

The sellers tend to vary and come and go. Just Google the above names and you cannot go wrong. These tools work on most recent Toyota petrol engines.

[B3rtie]

When I bought my 2002 Avensis also took to the dealers but on reading the manual there was a service schedule for intermediate and major services.  I was surprised to find most of the 'service' items are actually 'inspections' and the difference between major and intermediate is to additionally inspect: spark plugs; drive shaft boots body perforation; brake pedal and parking brake; brake pad wear; clutch fluid; suspension; steering system; and; fuel system.  

Everything else which you might think you would get on a major / full service is actually as and when required at a specific time - 'years' or 'mileage' - i.e.: belts; filters; plugs; coolant; brake fluid; ATF fluid change; ancillary belts; valve clearances; brake pads.

Iridium spark plugs for instance are a 60,000 mile item so my car which has done over 200,000 miles has only had the plugs changed three times (in the old days it was every 24,000 or two years on say a 1980s Ford Escort)

[gazza1286]

The oil filter removal tool works reasonably well. But... when unscrewing the tool has a tendency to bind onto the filter. This means that it fills up with oil which makes it a bit messy. One way to avoid this is to slightly re-tighten the filter and tool after initially freeing the filter -  then give it jolt clockwise to free the tool. Then unwind the oil filter by hand.