If you loosen the evaporative canister and move it slightly forward there is enough room to pull the oil filter out thru the front. No need to remove the battery.

Whether you decide to run dino or synthetic is your choice. The DOHC is easy on oil and isn't fussy as long as you change at regular intervals. I run Castrol GTX 5W-30 year round. I still adhere to 3K mile oil changes because I'm anal and it's cheap insurance. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> My other vehicles have been converted to Mobil 1 synthetic but the Sportage will stay dino.