Well after a few months of happy ownership with my 09 corolla le, I have hit a bump. A big bump.

It seems toyota decided the spin on oil filters used with no problems for years weren't good enough anymore. The decided I find out, to use a strange cartridge setup that requires a special tool. After talking to service and parts at my dealership, and getting people on the other end who didn't know if I could change it or not, the parts guy cleared things up. He tells me it takes a special tool to remove the filter casing, and it is not available to the public at this time.

How convenient. As someone who has always enjoyed changing his own oil not only for savings, but so that I know my engine starts on a PRE-FILLED filter, not a dry one put in by some 19 year old who could care less, allowing my engine to run dry for a few seconds. I also only use mobil 1, and have for years. No sludge, no problems, minimal wear.

Now I feel I have been tricked into buying a car that has hidden ownership costs nobody told me about. Job security for toyota service departments I guess, but not good business. I don't want a car that I can't change the oil on, so I don't think I will be keeping it. It is a matter for priciple. They should at least warn potential buyers to be fair.

I just want anyone considering one of these cars to know they won't be able to change their own oil, and by extension who knows what else has been made "dealership only" maintenance.

All you need is a 65mm - 14 Flute oil filter wrench. can be bought online for $7.27.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Automotive%20T...20Wrenches:b=46

Here are pictures of the oil change
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244334

Not to bad to do. Did mine this weekend. Just different. Do like the pictures say though and get the 65mm and not a 65-67mm. Mine was the 65-67 used on my highlander and it is not as easy to work with because the 65 is deep in the wrench. I will be getting myself a straight 65mm.

Be carefull when changing the oil yourself on new cars!!! Warranties can be very touchy. Make absolutley sure you keep all reciepts and record the mileage on those reciepts, also use toyota filter cartrage on that car. If you did'nt already know this.

P.S. that is a top notch car in my book, take good care of it and it will return the favor for a long time to come!!!!

Wow, I'm glad I saw this now! I have always changed the oil on my cars too for alot of the same reasons mormandy1 said above. I plan on letting my dealer do the first change for me since it's free but after that I want to take over doing them myself. That said, I have no problem buying the $7 wrench listed in ehuddle's post (thanks for that by the way!). But my question is...once you get theirs off can you put an aftermarket filter on or do you have to buy Toyota filters from the dealer? I have always used high quality Mobil-1 filters and would like to continue doing the same on this car. If we can use Mobil-1 filters, does anyone know the number? Thanks for any input.

I just bought the toyota filter. I pass right past the place on the way home. Dont know about a mobile-1 filter for the 09 model yet.

Actually, just looked at your link and realized it's a drop-in filter and not a "normal" filter so the Mobil-1 option is probably out. How much did your Toyota dealer charge you for a filter?

seems like it was about 5 bucks and something with tax.

In just looking around I noticed that there are some Fram filters for some of the other drop in toyota types such as the avalon so maybe there will be the Mobile-1 filter in a year or so for the corolla.

Changed my 09 this afternoon after heeding Ehuddle's tip to get the 65mm 14 Flute wrench. The entire process was not bad at all.

Filter from the dealer in Santa Fe was $6.14 and the Mobil 1 was about $20.

Thanks again for the heads up & good info!

vm in NM

Hi,

I recently changed the oil on my 2009 Corolla LE. It was simpler than I thought. It took a home made ramp to get under the car but there it was hon the passenger side under the front of the engine. I weas able to use the same filter cap socet wrench I used on my 2.2L 1997 Camry. The box the crtridge came in provided somr useful information.

Marvin

Just completed my 1st 5k oil and oil filter change. I use oil filter wrench from my 02 Honda CR-V to remove the oil filter housing (it was a perfect fit). Re-filled with Mobil1 5w20.
I pre-oil the filter by filling some oil into the center of the tube, filter element will soak up all of the oil and very little oil drip out. Btw, drain plug size is 14mm.

Jimmy