Good idea. Post how it goes

 

I doubt the dealers remove it. I have had mine dealer done during warranty as they'd done it for the previous owner. I spent time removing the bolts under one day and many were rusted or very difficult to get out. They maybe removing a few and bend the shield over enough to access the filter I suspect. My other 3.3L engines were all on the Top and I got used to doing the changes with the filter there. Its easy and as long as you don't rush nor go crazy with a wrench all is good and no mess on the engine.

Why so close to the wheel is also a mystery as any other vehicle with it underneath is close to center of offset a bit. Many have a removable flap with two bolts holding it (how it should be when underneath !!!).
Oh well, I may be doing it as my warranty is ending and take it over unless I buy and extended warranty. Then it has to be done by a garage mechanic or dealer equivalent for their warranties.

 

@treeguy367
You would likely need to fabricate some new hole cover as air flow thru new hole may cause the cover flop around a bit at high driving speed.
It really puzzles me why they stopped doing what I have on my 2014 Sportage - there is a hatch there with 3 tabs that requires no tools and whole of 3 seconds to remove or to reinstall.
My guess they wanted to discourage owners DYI oil changes.

 

Oh wow, must have got a new design engineer from somewhere.

 

A large hole saw would probably be the easiest, remove the cover or drop it down some before drilling.

 

I don't think they make em that big. You got to get your hand in the as well as handle the cover holding the filter on. Its not that narrow if you look at any of the top mount ones. Oil will run out when the filter is removed as well.
A big square at min. LOL

 

I cut out a square hole with utility knife after the first oil change 5 years. ago.

 

The 'hatch' provided by ASFIR is big enough to get the filter out, but not big enough to keep a lot of the oil from landing on top of the plate. I can only imagine that cutting a hole in the cheesy OEM piece causes the same issue unless it is cut quite large. At least the ASFIR has vent holes nearby where the oil can mostly drain out.

 

I will be doing my first oil change since installing the ASFIR plate and will be installing a fumoto drain plug valve with a piece of hose while in there. So any further oil changes i'll just need to open the hatch, drop the hose down, aim it into my drain pan, and open the valve.

 

Not accurate. It helps direct airflow as well as keeping the engine bay cleaner. Trust me, manufacturers do not add parts that do nothing since everything increases cost. Why it doesn't have a trap door for an oil change is beyond me but then I change mine from up above using a topsider and my filter is top mounted.

 

I would just take it off and leave it off many have done just that

 

I would just take it off and leave it off many have done just that

How do you know that. How many have done that.

 

I'd leave mine on never the less. Less crap getting in there especially winter time.

 

Mine was removed by a tech who needed to find source of oil leak in my 2019 Sorento V6. Eventually replaced oil filter housing and threw away cover due to oil leak ruined it. Never replaced mine. That was 20,000 miles ago no issues with it gone.