I will be attempting my first oil change for my 2011 MCS auto now at 2k miles. I read through the 'How To' post for '2010 MCSa oil change' and have a few questions. But I'm not sure if this post applies to the new lci 2011 MCS. For those who have changed their oil in their 2011, please advise.

1. Where is the oil drain plug under the 2011 MCS? Is it on the passenger side? I have set the car on top of a rhino ramp and see two plugs . One is shiny metallic on the driver side. The other is mostly black on the passenger side. Also, it doesn't seem like a 8mm hex fits on either one, which greatly baffles me .

2. How did you guys get the darn filter change with the coolent tank in the way? I try the method of bending it out of the way but it doesn't seem to move since the hose under it is so hard. Do I just go ahead and use some muscle to bend the coolent tank upward and out of the way?

 

Yes, it's the plug on the passenger side of the engine. The allen key should fit it. Use some pressure to move the coolant tank out of the way but be careful not to accidentally disconnect the line to it. It will move enough to allow you to get to the filter. Also, place some rags directly below the filter to keep oil from dripping when you pull it out - it can be a bit messy as you pull it away from the engine. Be sure you replace the oil pan crush washer and the filter housing o-ring. The OEM filter I bought came with both of those.

Best of luck.

 

So is it an allen key or a hex socket?

 

The 2011 oil pan plug is a female hex so an allen key.

 

And thats a 8mm like posted earlier?

 

Affirmative.

 

Thanka u

 

How did it go? Any difference you saw between what's posted in thoe How-to from the prior model years to the 2011? I'm waiting on the Dimple magnetic drain plugs before I change the oil and tranny on my 2011.

 

Changing oil on a MC is the biggest pain in the ***, I've encountered since replacing brake pad wear sensors on my M Coupe! I just did it recently and you really need to get a nice extension to get the filter out and there's very little movement. I wish they moved the oil filter to the bottom of the car or make it more accessible from the top!

 

Well, isn't that good to hear. I just got my new MCS and there is no way I am going to wait to change the oil until the computer tells me to. I have traditionally changed the oil on all my vehicles for a couple reasons, first it's one of the few things a shade tree mechanic can do on modern vehicles so I continue to do it. Also, it's part of my "old school" way of raging against the onslaught of technology. I thought changing the oil on my kids old Honda's was a treat , and now I hear I need to be a contortionist with long thin arms and to do the job on my MINI - oh joy. Sounds like I may get to know my independant MINI servicer sooner than I thought.

 

Old school here also, highlander. You really won't find the oil and filter change to be as difficult as you might think from the posts here.

That said, it's difficult for me to believe that Mini is still screwing around with a cartridge-type filter when the rest of the world went with spin-ons decades ago.

While I'm ranting, I may as well say that I think the lack of wheel studs is just about the dumbest cost-saving step any auto manufacturer can take!