Front air dam clearance for oil change?

[Lamuncha]

I am gathering the needed stuff to do the first oil change.
After 6 months I actually realized the front air dam is going to present a problem.
I have a set of ramps that will get it maybe 5 1/2 inches higher.

Will that be enough to do the oil and filter?

Thanks

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[SouthCoast]

easiest way to do that is to simply remove the air dam. Most of us already have.

I just received a "Limited Service Campaign" mailer indicating my vehicle is affected. They'll replace the hardware mounting the air dam to the bumper, and replace damaged components (front spoiler) free of charge. I removed it the moment I got home from the dealership May of last year as it had already come loose and dragged on the ground. Straight to the recycle bin. Haven't missed it at all and frees up much needed service space

 

[Lamuncha]

Ya I was just trying to do less work.. There appears to be a small plastic pan that needs to come off as well.

thx

 

[ACJ]

Every time I go outside and look at the air dam, It is still on, I think about taking it off. It is ugly but at $6.00/gal I want the .7-.8 mpg gained. I changed the oil with air dam on, no problem. Used 6 inch ramps to make it easy.

 

[Minnesota4Runner]

I don't use ramps to change the oil and I'm old with a bad back.

 

[Lamuncha]

"I don't use ramps to change the oil and I'm old with a bad back."

Air dam?.
-----------++++++++++++++
If it helps the milage I'll wait until I see it in the rear view mirror.
------------------------
I have not had a chance to look around under there with our wonderful winter. A few glimpses tells me the thing is really well built and hard as nails.
Glad I watched a video, looks like a fire hose when you pull the plug.

 

[4RunnerTony]

I picked up my 2025 4Runner last April. The air dam at both the left and right ends lost the bolts within a month and was hanging. Took it to the dealer to do the 1,000 mile oil change and they replaced both bolts. Have not had any issues since.

 

[6thGen1419]

I am gathering the needed stuff to do the first oil change.
After 6 months I actually realized the front air dam is going to present a problem.
I have a set of ramps that will get it maybe 5 1/2 inches higher.

Will that be enough to do the oil and filter?

Thanks

I am a big guy and have easily done oil changes on my ORP on the ground in the driveway. Only thing I did was remove the air dam which allowed for enough room to slide under, remove the grid plate, change the oil filter and drain the oil.

 

[127.0.0.1]

just slide in from behind a front wheel if air dam is in the way
tons of room

 

[sstarrx2]

Every time I go outside and look at the air dam, It is still on, I think about taking it off. It is ugly but at $6.00/gal I want the .7-.8 mpg gained. I changed the oil with air dam on, no problem. Used 6 inch ramps to make it easy.

GAS mileage is not the only reason it is there. It provides stability at Highway speeds and towing situations. Most prefer it off for aesthetics, but the look does not bother me. If it came off out of warranty I surely would not spend money to replace it.

 

[HVLA]

Every time I go outside and look at the air dam, It is still on, I think about taking it off. It is ugly but at $6.00/gal I want the .7-.8 mpg gained. I changed the oil with air dam on, no problem. Used 6 inch ramps to make it easy.

I think you should do the math. I bet you might save $3 a month.

 

[rosnaby]

I havent lost any mpg since removing the air dam. Stuck at 17 since 1000 miles, was 18.2 first 1000…..lot of idiling/warming up this winter and messing around in dirt/snow has killed me way more than the plastic air dam. Also the savings from doing your own oil changes, i imagine might offset any loss in mpg from the airdam. At the end of the day theres no way toyota put this flimsy piece of plastic on this car expecting people to leave it on, its so easy to remove for a reason, and the reason is it does nothing.

 

[rosnaby]

I also cracked the air dam the first time i went on like a 3/10 trail in the pine barrens in NJ… any trail more difficult or rocky the thing is probably coming clean off by itself. Rest of the car doesnt even have a scratch and rides like day 1, its truly like this dam wasnt made to withstand anything that this car is meant for.

 

[sstarrx2]

I havent lost any mpg since removing the air dam. Stuck at 17 since 1000 miles, was 18.2 first 1000…..lot of idiling/warming up this winter and messing around in dirt/snow has killed me way more than the plastic air dam. Also the savings from doing your own oil changes, i imagine might offset any loss in mpg from the airdam. At the end of the day theres no way toyota put this flimsy piece of plastic on this car expecting people to leave it on, its so easy to remove for a reason, and the reason is it does nothing.
[/QUOTE

I havent lost any mpg since removing the air dam. Stuck at 17 since 1000 miles, was 18.2 first 1000…..lot of idiling/warming up this winter and messing around in dirt/snow has killed me way more than the plastic air dam. Also the savings from doing your own oil changes, i imagine might offset any loss in mpg from the airdam. At the end of the day theres no way toyota put this flimsy piece of plastic on this car expecting people to leave it on, its so easy to remove for a reason, and the reason is it does nothing.

Its a good thing...your MPG sucks! I rarely get below 21 mpg daily driving and usually 24+ on the highway. Usally $36-$38 to fill up my rig, this weekend it was $55.50 and I got 40 cents off per gallon being a rewards member to get that!!

 

[rosnaby]

Yeah but truth be told, most of my normal trips are above 20mpg, like to work and what not…ive just idled a lot in jan/feb warming her up for work, and ive done about 20% of my driving in pure snowstorm conditions trying to get sideways or mud trying to see how much it can handle, get about 12-14 on those trips but well worth it to me

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