What is the process for replacing an oil filter?
3 Answers
Process for replacing an oil filter: 1. Remove the drain plug to drain the engine oil; 2. After draining, wipe the drain plug clean, then reinstall and tighten it with a torque of 30 Nm; 3. Loosen the oil filter using an oil filter wrench; 4. Apply engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter; 5. Hand-tighten the new oil filter onto the oil filter bracket until the O-ring contacts the mounting surface; 6. After contact with the mounting surface, use the oil filter wrench to tighten the filter an additional three-quarters of a turn with a torque of 15 Nm. To ensure proper tightening, accurately identify the initial contact position of the filter's O-ring with the mounting surface.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have changed oil filters countless times—it's quite simple. Before starting, let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up and thin the oil, then turn it off and wait a bit to avoid burns. Park the car on level ground and engage the handbrake—safety comes first. Place a large oil pan underneath, loosen the drain plug to let the old oil flow out completely, and wait about ten minutes for it to fully drain. Then, use an oil filter wrench to remove the old filter, being careful not to spill oil everywhere. Apply a bit of fresh oil to the rubber gasket of the new filter to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks. Hand-tighten the new filter—don't overtighten to avoid damage, just snug is enough. Finally, refill with fresh oil to the proper level, start the engine, and check for any leaks. Doing it yourself saves about a hundred bucks each time, and the tools are inexpensive—a set of wrenches can last for years.
My first attempt at changing the oil filter made me a bit nervous, so I watched several tutorials online before getting started. I parked the car on level ground in the garage, firmly engaged the handbrake, and wore gloves to prevent burns. When I loosened the drain plug with a wrench, the oil gushed out suddenly, which startled me but thankfully didn't splash anywhere. The old filter was quite tight, and it took some effort to loosen it with the specialized wrench. After installing the new filter and adding fresh oil, I forgot to check the dipstick and overfilled it a bit, so I had to drain some out. The whole process took about an hour, and when I started the car afterward, the smooth engine sound made me super happy. For fellow beginners, I recommend preparing an oil pan, gloves, and the manual, plus watching the tutorial videos multiple times to stay calm.
