I have both an external oil filter and a central drain plug on the sump drain plate. Can I get away with just draining the oil through the plug, and replacing the external filter during an oil change. Or do I really need to remove the sump plate and strainer? The oil still looks pretty clean on the dip stick, so I'm guessing the strainer will be looking OK, and the external filter will have taken anything nasty out? It's only another ten minutes work, but I always end up making a real mess, and you'll only know the stress of not getting oil on the communal driveway if you live in Switzerland... (second only to having to pick up every single leaf after cutting the hedge, with an elderly neighbour standing behind you and pointing out every new leaf that has just fallen off)
