Thanks for the reply TJ. Although I'm a little leary of fiberglass ramps I'll check those out.
After some Internet searching it maybe seems I made a harder job out of my oil change than necessary.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/03/2008-scion-xb-diy-oil-change.htmlThis person suggests that only the three button clips (I called them snaps) need to be removed to get at the filter. The main trick I didn't know was how to deal with the button clips. This was explained later in the link I provided.
The trick with the button clips is this:
"They consist of a circle within a circle, and you only have to gently pry the inner circle (the button) out a quarter inch or so using a slender screwdriver with a skinny blade. Use your thumb and forefinger in a "paring knife" grip: gently pull the screwdriver blade toward your thumb with your curled index finger. The button does not typically need to come all the way out.
When pulled out in this way, the button no longer spreads apart the hidden arms of the outer circle that protrude through and behind the pieces being held together, shrinking their diameter so you can pull both parts out of the hole as one, by hand.
It takes seconds if you have the right sort of medium-length straight-blade screwdriver with a small tip. It helps if the person before you hasn't already messed them up, however. Properly used, these clips should stand up to multiple removals.
Putting them back in is cake: With the button pulled out, feed the arms through both pieces being held together until fully seated, then push the button in with your thumb."