GM houses both the onstar antenna and the XM (not sirius) antenna in the same housing. They needed it to be higher for the cell type antenna and the design was actually tested to make less noise then a regular rubber antenna in a wind tunnel. my biggest concern when driving one is ripping it off in a parking garage.

 

I removed my first filter on my F150 by stabbing a screwdriver through it and turning it.

 

This works but the downside is once you stab the screwdriver through your committed to the project. If it doesn't work, your well, screwed. There's no driving somewhere to get it removed.

 

After changing oil on my 1997 F-150 with the oil filter behind the front bumper, the oil filter location on my 2009 F-150 isn't that bad either. I went to Farm & Fleet and bought a $3.99 plastic oil filter wrench that fits over the end of the filter. I used a 6" extension and a 3/8 drive ratchet and changed the filter. One trick when unscrewing the oil filter, use steady pressure, not a quick jerk and they come right off. Hope this helps.

 

My dealer offered me a free first oil change, but it would take more time to drive there and back then to change the oil myself since they are about 40 minutes away. But I only have 40 miles on mine so I have some time to decide what to do.

 

a 6 foot cheater bar!

 

Last time I changed the oil on mine I had to use a strap wrench from above. I'd like to kill the gorilla who put it on......











Wait, I did....

 

Just changed oil on my 09 and it was also very tight. On top of that it was not the same design as the replacement filter on the end. I have a filter socket for the FL820s filters, but the factory filter had fewer raised areas on it and the filter wrench just spun. I tried the screwdriver trick, but it just ripped the cannister. I ended up using an air chisel to bust it loose.

 

Oh God - you're scaring me now......Getting ready to do mine next week, but don't have any air tools!

 

I just did mine this past weekend (first oil change), it was not that bad. Deeregeff is right, the filter design from the factory is different than the FL820s. Luckily, we have both types of filter socket caps. It was tight but came off slow and steady with the filter socket. my old 04 was just as tight too.

also, when trying to access the filter, there seemed to be less room to work with on the 09 vs. my old 04. The plastic radiator fan shroud is more in the way on the 09.

 

I won't say it is impossible without a filter socket, but due to some unplanned stitches in my right hand earlier this year, I couldn't grip it tight enough to turn it. If I was to do it over, I would make sure I had a filter socket or wrench to fit the factory filter.

I had read the post on here and thought no problem since I have a filter socket, but I wasn't planning on it being a different pattern on the stock filter.

 

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Mmmmm, cake!

 

I changed oil on my truck a couple of weeks back and had filter wrench on hand and wasn't to bad to change. I could go for a piece of cake now though!

 

I used the trusty filter wrench. get a good grip on it and go slow - it'll come off!