You need the right tools to get the job done.
As a winter beater, I purchased a 1998 Ford Ranger in 1998. Shortly after purchasing it, I decided that it was time to change the oil. The filter was placed on the engine’s side. It refused to move. I was unable to lift my body off the ground and tried twisting the filter but it wouldn’t move. I tried an oil filter wrench but it was ineffective. With daylight fading and my patience waining, I resorted to more drastic measures: stabbing the filter with a screwdriver to puncture it. Finally, I was able to get enough leverage to turn it off. It was a horrible experience. It’s not nearly as difficult as changing the oil in a Ferrari488 Spider. It’s quite a different beast.
This video shows how to change the oil in the supercar. However, it is not something you can do in your garage on Saturday mornings. This car requires all the tools necessary and dedicated workspace. You can find the filter on the top of your engine, just below a body panel. It is easily accessible. But, the real challenge is draining the oil.
The Ferrari’s undercarriage has been covered with aerodynamic panels made of plastic, making it difficult to access the bottom. This is not all. You can’t remove the lower panel from the Ferrari if you lift it with a hydraulic lift. The lift points sandwich the panel between the chassis and lift.
First, remove the rear diffuser. This allows you to access a metal crossmember. The rear of your Ferrari must be lifted off the rear hydraulic lifts. Next, remove the underbody panel and replace the hydraulic lifts at rear. Finally, level the car. You can drain the oil from the engine by accessing the bottom through the four plugs.
This video shows you how simple it can be to fix a car if you have the right tools. It makes the job much easier and safer. It’s unlikely that many Ferrari owners will change their oil themselves, preferring to have it done by a dealership. It’s still cool to know.