Change engine oil and filter

Tools & materials

Preparation

• Verify oil grade, capacity, filter, drain-plug torque, and lift points for the exact engine.
• Confirm you can remove the fill cap and identify the drain plug before draining anything.

Step by step

1. 01Park level, set the brake, and warm the engine for a few minutes. Shut it off and open the hood.
2. 02Raise and support the vehicle only if access requires it. Test stability without placing yourself underneath.
3. 03Position the pan, remove the engine-oil drain plug, and allow the flow to slow to an occasional drip.
4. 04Inspect the plug and threads. Fit a new sealing washer when the design calls for one, then reinstall to the verified specification.
5. 05Move the pan beneath the filter. Remove it and confirm its old gasket came off with it.
6. 06Clean the sealing surface, lightly coat the new filter gasket with fresh oil, and install it according to the filter instructions.
7. 07Lower the vehicle if raised. Add slightly less than the verified capacity, wait, and check the dipstick or electronic-level procedure.
8. 08Start the engine briefly. Confirm the oil-pressure warning goes out, inspect the plug and filter for leaks, then shut down.
9. 09Wait several minutes on level ground, adjust the level without overfilling, and reset the maintenance reminder only after verification.

What success looks like

The level reads correctly, the oil-pressure warning is off, the plug and filter stay dry, and the service is logged.

Common mistakes

• Draining transmission fluid by mistake
• Double-gasketing the filter
• Over-tightening the plug
• Pouring in the full capacity without checking

Call a professional

Use a professional when safe lifting is unavailable, the filter or plug is damaged, or oil loss suggests a deeper fault.