DIY Oil Change?

[Tomline]

I've only had one oil change done on my 2012RT bought used and waited around the dealership while it was done. It seemed from what I could see that quite a lot of the body panels had to be removed to do the oil change. Is this normal? Also I'd like to do my own so is there a video I could watch and refer to so I could in fact do my own? It would have to be one for the "Not So Mechanically Inclined!" Thanks

[Highwayman2013]

Here is one video, look more up on you tube.

[Lobo]

I've only had one oil change done on my 2012RT bought used and waited around the dealership while it was done. It seemed from what I could see that quite a lot of the body panels had to be removed to do the oil change. Is this normal? Also I'd like to do my own so is there a video I could watch and refer to so I could in fact do my own? It would have to be one for the "Not So Mechanically Inclined!" Thanks

The first time will take a little while but it is not hard. I'm not mechanically inclined but got it done and will do them from now on. The videos will get you through it. Good luck.

[Grandpot]

Be careful. It is very possible that one drain plug will need an Allen wrench and the other a Torx wrench. If you use the wrong wrenches you will strip them and then really have a project on your hands.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Be careful. It is very possible that one drain plug will need an Allen wrench and the other a Torx wrench. If you use the wrong wrenches you will strip them and then really have a project on your hands.

...... and the best way to avoid this is to use a mirror to look at the plugs ... if you can't get under the bike itself .... annnd I ALWAYS set my ratchet to REMOVE - Before I put it on the plug !!!! ..... Mike

[pegasus1300]

Others have reported stripping out the holes the allen/torx goes into. If you make sure that you have them fully seated in the hole before you apply pressure you'll be fine. Don't let these warnings scare you off. Watch the videos on youtube ,take your time, and all will go well. It really isn't hard just time consuming. Oh, also your owners manual will also tell you how to change oil and what panels to remove and how to remove them. Go ahead and do it you know you want to .

[ARtraveler]

There are the pitfalls of the body panel removal and the worry about stripping out the drain plugs. Some of us braver than others. I am chicken, so have the dealer do all mine.

It is a learning curve though. Those who do it, don't seem to have a problem or issue after that dreaded first time. Lot's of helpful videos and suggestions from those in the know.

[Maddoggie501]

Be careful. It is very possible that one drain plug will need an Allen wrench and the other a Torx wrench. If you use the wrong wrenches you will strip them and then really have a project on your hands.

You are correct. Just did my 2016 RT. 45 Torx on main drain bolt and 6mm Allen on the clutch bolt.

[youngers]

you have a 2012 r-t is it the s-e 5 or the s-m 5 { clutch on the handle bars } .... I am going to do my s-m 5 soon , will most likely take a lot of panels off to see what might be needing cleaned ... let us know how you faired on the job training

[Igofshn]

It isn't difficult. Takes less than an hour. I have a 2010 RT SE5, if you have the SM5, it's bout 15 minutes if the plastic is removed from the bottom. Most leave it off after the first oil change.

[Dmetcalf]

You are correct. Just did my 2016 RT. 45 Torx on main drain bolt and 6mm Allen on the clutch bolt.

Just curious because I only have 1600 mi. so far on mine and I too plan on doing my own oil changes (just can't part with $300. for the dealer to do it for me). So you will need to drop both of these plugs for an oil change, is this correct ..?
thanks

[11rtLTD]

Just curious because I only have 1600 mi. so far on mine and I too plan on doing my own oil changes (just can't part with $300. for the dealer to do it for me). So you will need to drop both of these plugs for an oil change, is this correct ..?
thanks

To remove all the oil you will need to remove both oil drain plugs.
If you only remove one you won't get a full oil change.
If you have the SE5/SE6 make sure that you replace both filters.
You can get a complete filter kit right here on Spyder Lovers from Bajaron. He honestly had the best deal that I could find.