ORIGINAL: mot250

I did my first oil change in my R/T over the weekend. Two minor problems.

1: I've read that the it may be a good idea to allow a dealer to do the first oil change as a "900 lb gorilla" must install the factory filter. Sure as heck, this filter was a bear to get off (as was the first filter change on my Jeep Commander). After I got the filter off, I think I realized why it was so difficult. I think the factory might not oil the gasket, as evidenced by the fact that the gasket remained on the oil filter mount on the engine. Good thing I know to check for that as double gaskets do not seal and one will blow out and make a big oil sprayed mess. Having a lift in my garage helped. I do not know if I could have gotten the leverage necessary to get the filter off if I had tried this on ramps.

2: The parts store oil filter book gave me the wrong part number for the Mobile1 oil filter. I swear it said M1 204, which is the same as I use in my Jeep Commander with the 5.7 HEMI so it seemed logical. But I found that filter does not fit, after prefilling the filter with oil for quicker oil pressure at first start-up after completing the oil change. Good thing I can use that same filter in my next Commander oil change.

I also lucked out in tow ways- I checked the Mobile 1 website before trying to run out to the parts store (which was probably closed - after 5:00 PM on a Sunday) and fould the M1 210 filter is the correct filter for the Challenger R/T 5.7 Hemi. As luck would have it, I had one of those on hand for an upcoming oil change for my 2006 Mustang GT. Whew! I also needed to use that extra 8th bottle of 5W20 oil on hand since I had already prefilled the wrong filter with oil during the first try.

So, be warned. The first oil change could be tough!