If your changing oil on a '97 F-150 with a 4.6L and you forget to check to make sure the dirty filter's gasket comes off with the dirty filter and leave it there with the new filter over it, the engine running for 5 seconds can put one quart of expensive full synth 5w20 all over the inside of the bumper, drivers side of the radiatior, and inner fender, causing an oil slick to cover the driveway. Father's don't get amused either, but will gladly remind a certain son...

 

DOH!

 

Whoops.

 

My dad told me he did that to a jeep he had one time. He went on like a 30 mile trip and had to put oil in it to get back.

 

You'll remember to look next time.

 

I always wipe down the area where the filter attaches and clean it with a rag. You would have caught the problem doing it this way. I have the same truck and the location of the filter is ok. It's just that the engineers have the filter mounted sideways so you're always gonna spill some oil unless you roll the truck over on the driver side door and remove the filter. What were the engineers thinking?

 

Cleaning the mess off the concrete isn't any fun either...

Do it right and soon enough, and you can get it all up so's there is not a trace, otherwise you will have a spot there FOREVER!

 

OK kids, important safety lesson!

Always double check to make sure no parts from old equipment remain before installing new equipment.

Remember, this helps the environment too!

And since we are on the topic of safety tips, here's an old favorite:

Cross at the green,
not in between.

Tomorrow, we will observe Vader and how NOT to wet sand the finish of your vehicle.