2018 - Skid plate removal for oil change?

[stub61]

Do you need to remove main skid plate to change oil? Sorry I have done limited work on this. Since it's lowered I can't quite slide under it.

 

[OR VietVet]

Get some drive on ramps for this service/lof. Make sure to set parking brake and use something to put behind the rear wheels to block them. Safety first!

2018 what? Does every 2018 Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade have the same set up under the vehicle with all engines being the same layout for the drain plug and filter location being the same? I ask because I have an 05 Z71 and have not been under a 2018. I would hope the access is like mine, no skid plate removal needed for filter or drain plug access.

 

[Sparksalot]

You should be able to get it done without removing the skid plate.

 

[Sparksalot]

Do you need to remove main skid plate to change oil? Sorry I have done limited work on this. Since it's lowered I can't quite slide under it.

The filter and plug are right there behind the plate.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yep, just like my 2005 but my drain plug points to the back and not to the side. Is the filter and drain plug set back enough to clear the crossmember and skid plate? My filter misses the corner of the plate and of course the drain plug allows for it to shoot out the back.

 

[MrMonte]

No removal required. Oil & filter have a clear path so it's a no mess oil change. I've changed the oil on my 2018 Yukon twice in 2023 so far. I've already driven 7K miles on my Yukon in 2023.

 

[OR VietVet]

No removal required. Oil & filter have a clear path so it's a no mess oil change. I've changed the oil on my 2018 Yukon twice in 2023 so far. I've already driven 7K miles on my Yukon in 2023.

He posted in the Police Package section. I wonder if skid plates are different or are more of them?

 

[Sparksalot]

He posted in the Police Package section. I wonder if skid plates are different or are more of them?

Not likely, unless GM did something different with the K2. Thecopcar only has the small squarish plate at the transmission.

 

[Blackcar]

Do you need to remove main skid plate to change oil? Sorry I have done limited work on this. Since it's lowered I can't quite slide under it.

I have 2017 Yukon with skid plates and have no trouble changing oil and filter. I have these homemade ramps in link and works well and also helps oil drain to the drain plug.

 

[stub61]

Thank you all for the replies. It's a Tahoe. Got it delivered to my son in the UP of Michigan, yesterday. 500+ mile drive and all went ok. Those ramps are interesting. Thanks again, you are all awesome for helping.

 

[OR VietVet]

Thank you all for the replies. It's a Tahoe. Got it delivered to my son in the UP of Michigan, yesterday. 500+ mile drive and all went ok. Those ramps are interesting. Thanks again, you are all awesome for helping.

I have two sets of drive on ramps. I have a hard plastic set from Harbor Freight that are approximately 8"-9" of elevation and a steel set that are closer to 10"-11" lift. The steel ones are steeper and therefore there are times I cannot use them if driving something on there that has the air scoop/foil on the front because they will hit. I am a bigger guy and like the room but the Tahoe sets up higher than a car so I can use either ramp for it. The tilt up at the front helps get rid of the old oil better. The store bought ramps also have a cup area at the very front that the front tires set in and help with no roll back. BUT, you should always put wheel chocks at the back of each rear tire.

 

[Fless]

I have two sets of drive on ramps. I have a hard plastic set from Harbor Freight that are approximately 8"-9" of elevation and a steel set that are closer to 10"-11" lift. The steel ones are steeper and therefore there are times I cannot use them if driving something on there that has the air scoop/foil on the front because they will hit. I am a bigger guy and like the room but the Tahoe sets up higher than a car so I can use either ramp for it. The tilt up at the front helps get rid of the old oil better. The store bought ramps also have a cup area at the very front that the front tires set in and help with no roll back. BUT, you should always put wheel chocks at the back of each rear tire.

Lay a 2x10 in front of the ramps and drive up on that first, to get a start on the elevation. I think @Rocket Man showed that sometime or other.

 

[Blackcar]

Lay a 2x10 in front of the ramps and drive up on that first, to get a start on the elevation. I think @Rocket Man showed that sometime or other.

Yea I have to do that to get low slung vehicles on my Bend Pak 4 post lift also.

 

[Dave in Gig Harbor]

I also have a 2018 with a skid plate. A couple of tips that I use to make it less messy after getting it up on ramps:

1) I use a hole punch and put a hole in the bottom of the oil filter. Get the drain pan under the filter and pull the hole punch out. Almost all the oil will drain straight down instead of out past the gasket area.

2) I have a Fumoto brand oil drain installed. I used the one with the banjo style bolt as the original one piece ones tended to leak. I also have the one that has the small hose bib so I can attach a clear hose to it and then drain directly in to my recycled oil jug.

When I used to do an oil change without the above, the oil filter oil was a mess and as I recall the draining oil would get on stuff at times.