Did the 20 hour oil change on the Sidekick: Why remove skidplate?

[FTG-05]

The OM says to remove the skid plate in their oil change procedure (page 67). There's a perfectly sized hole right under the oil drain plug, easy to get to, no need to remove the skid plate. Oil drains fine, easy two minute job (once it's up on the rack). Removing it does nothing to perform the job and all it does is add time and unnecessary work.

Why?

 

[ItBmine]

Well, it would be a good excuse to drop it to clean any mud or debris out if you had any? LOL

That's the one thing I don't like about my 1100C.......there are a LOT of places where it collects, mud and leaves. Which concerns me about rust.

 

[Ohio_Pawpaw_Grower]

I drop the skid plate twice a year. You would not believe the crud that collects there. Like almost a 5 gal bucket full of mud and rocks. Even a dead chipmonk, RIP. I also take a floor mats out and wipe everything down and reapply fluid film.

 

[ItBmine]

That's why I put off that recall floor mat replacement until spring on mine. Then they can take it out and let the floor dry up after my winter plowing.