So I'm missing some skin on my knuckles after my first oil change and tire rotation.  I love the general simplicity of this thing and the ease of maintenance.  That said...wow...that oil filter is a PITA to get to.  I reached up and got one hand directly through the space you can see from the bottom and the other hand I sorta snaked over the suspension and up to the filter.  Managed to get it loose...need to get the right size filter wrench though.

5.8 quarts of oil is a lot, especially with Mobil 1 5w30 synth.  Typical Suzuki over-engineering.  I've owned engines with over twice the displacement of this thing and none of them used that much oil!

So anyone got any hints or tips that they've learned so I can get that filter off without so much mess and maybe more skin still on my knuckles next time?

need to get the right size filter wrench though.

I put a remote oil filter on my wife's GV.  Well, that worked for a few months, until the darned thing burst an oil line, and sprayed oil all over the inside of the engine compartment.

A side note:  A GV will run just fine with ONLY ONE QUART of oil left in the pan.  But I sure wouldn't make a habit of it!

So anyone got any hints or tips that they've learned so I can get that filter off without so much mess and maybe more skin still on my knuckles next time?

Try this next time from the top put the right filter size wrench on and take it off from above and rest it on the per-cat and the frame rail then grab it from under the GV put the new filter in the same spot from below and just grab it from the top side and put it on.  Or least thats how I do it. One of these days I'm going to get a remote filter kit just may be not the one Bob got
George

Hey don't be like the local JIFFY LUBE. Your filter doesn't need to be cranked on till it bottoms out. Snug will do and as a mechanic I would say be PATIENT LOL

I own a 2001 Tracker and 2000 Vit. Both are easy to change the filter fron the top of the engine. Usually spill some oil directly below the filter as it comes off, due to the angle that it goes on. Clean up is fairly easy though since the drain plug and filter can be covered by one drain pan.  Plain old Tide soap powder cleans up spilled oil from the driveway and your hands. But if you have cuts and scrapes on your hands, Tide will burn like hell.

As for the proper size filter wrench...I put it on with my hand and I take it off with my hand. Hand snug is all you need.