So I am looking to acquire some tips on how to change the oil filter without getting oil all over the place when doing so. I am the do it at home kind of guy for oil changes, but for the life of me I cannot seem to keep the job clean when taking out the oil filter. What do you guys do to decrease the mess?

 

I use a very large plastic catch pan (2 ft x 3 ft.) with a large piece of cardboard under that, and lots of paper towels to wipe off the spillage. I got the pan at home depot in the cement dept., so it's probably intended to mix concrete with. No real clean way to do it, just need to prepare for it. I also take the passenger wheel off for ease of access.

 

On what engine?

On my 3800, I take the passenger side wheel off, and just turn it slightly until oil flows down and into my drip pan.

When that's done, I just unscrew it the rest of the way and turn it upside down on the pan.

 

On a 3800? I remove the wheel, and put a plastic funnel under the filter to catch the oil so it doesn't get all over the lower control arm and drain into a pan

 

I'll second Chibi, I only unscrew mine partway until the oil starts running down the side. Give it a couple minutes, then finish unscrewing it. My catch pan is only about 18" diameter, and I've not had any issues making a huge mess doing it this way.

 

Apologies didn't get a notification for the replies it is one the 3400. The oil filter at least from what I could see the easiest way to get to it was when the car was jacked up just unscrew it from the bottom and then the mess comes after that.

 

I also remove the passenger tire and unscrew my filter part way and let the oil start to go down the side into a cheap cat litter pan I got at the dollar store.

 

I have the 3.5 which is probably the same setup as yours. i have loosly make the filter and move the oil catch pan underneath it quick to let it catch the oil let it finish pooring out then take the filter off the rest of the way. but i usually drain the oil out as much as possible before taking the filter off. to help keep the mess down as much as possible. then go back to the oil pan and make sure there is no more oil in there i usually take a hour and a half to make sure i get the old stuff out as much as possible.