drdavidzhang

yes, the hardcore DIY will still do the old fashion way, but I hope this method will enable other people who otherwise not DIY.

DIY: Cheapest Engine Oil Extractor (Subaru has Top Filter) Since Subaru has top oil filter, you may DIY engine oil change easily, and most importantly it is free! In the video, it is Subaru Forester, but you may use it to other Subarus.

With the oil pan plastic cover on Forester, how easy is it to install the Fumoto?

yes, I used to get nicks and scratches until I used my feet. Nice to know other people use feet/legs as well. some other tricks would also make oil change even cheaper:

Subaru Forester's Clean, Cheap and Easy Way to Change Engine Oil Clean and easy like fumoto valve, but with zero cost. This is a Subaru Forester 2015.

I talked to my dealer, and he referred this to the service manager. Here is the reply: "Hello David, No one seems to know for sure. Looking at it most say it is number 2. "

There are many theories: theory 1: a depression to collect sediment or residual oil when changing. this depression keeps stuff from falling of flowing into the engine when you take the filter off. theory 2: it's just something from the casting/machining i.e. to make it so a machine can handle the part or something like that. theory 3: subaru's future high end car has a sensor inside this depression so that it can detect oil leak :] theory 4: it is for a different kind of oil filter

interesting theory, well so many different theories so far about this. It looks like pretty smooth and polished, so it must be with some purpose. I cleaned that hole/depression, so at least I can confirm that it is depression without any leaking.

this depression is very small though, this small capacity, what can it do? Did anyone confirm this speculation of collecting debris with a dealer?

I mean this "hole" at the oil filter base: shot in 4K high resolution if you can't see it very clearly:

What's the purpose of the "hole" at Oil Filter Base for Subaru Forester?