Rookie question about skid plates

[SigEp418]

I’m due up for the first oil change on my 24 built to serve. Do the skid plates need to be removed to access the filter or drain plug? If so, is it complicated to do? My gen 4 didn’t have skid plates. I pretty much don’t know how to do anything besides change the oil but I’m willing to learn. Thank you all!

 

[carlylelocke]

There are access areas to get to the plug and filter. You're good to go.

 

[brian42]

You can access everything with plates in place.

You might want to consider removing the front skid plate (4 bolts). I removed it each time after my first oil change.

It is hard to remove the filter without dripping oil on the skid plate. There is a drain hole but it doesn't take much to spread across the plate and drip off when you drive (coating the underside).

I used a quart freezer bag around the filter to keep as much as possible from dripping on everything around.