Changing the oil and oil filter
Periodic oil and oil filter changes are the most important preventive maintenance procedure. As engine oil ages, it becomes thin and contaminated, leading to premature engine wear.
Before starting this procedure, gather together all the necessary tools and materials. It is necessary that the engine be warm in order for the oil to drain better along with the bulk of the contaminants.
Install the car on lifts or over a viewing hole. In this case, it is desirable that the car is located so that the oil drain plug is at the lowest point. If necessary, remove the mudguard from under the engine.
The oil filter housing is located in the left rear corner of the engine compartment behind the exhaust manifold.
6-cylinder SOHC engines
Places where a thin layer of engine oil is applied to the rubber seal of a new oil filter
Location of the engine oil drain plug on a 6-cylinder SOHC engine
1. Use the special tool to loosen the oil filter, then unscrew it by hand.
2. Wipe off all traces of oil and dirt around the filter attachment. Check if the rubber seal is left on the cylinder block. If it remains, then remove it.
3. Lightly coat the rubber seal of the new oil filter with engine oil and screw on the filter by hand without using any tools (see fig. Places where a thin layer of engine oil is applied to the rubber seal of a new oil filter).
4. Loosen the drain plug about half a turn (see fig. Location of the engine oil drain plug on a 6-cylinder SOHC engine). Place an oil drain container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug completely. If necessary, press down on the plug when unscrewing to prevent the oil from leaking prematurely. Remove the O-ring from the oil drain plug.
5. When the oil is completely drained, wipe everything around the drain hole with a rag and screw the plug securely into place.
6. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface.
7. Remove the dipstick to measure the oil level and remove the plug from the oil filler neck.
8. Fill the engine with oil using the correct grade of oil. Pour in half the required amount of oil and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan. Then continue adding oil in small increments until the oil level reaches the minimum level on the dipstick. Adding about 1 liter more will bring the oil level up to the maximum level on the dipstick. Close the filler cap.
9. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check it for oil leaks around the filter and drain plug on the pan. Keep in mind that the oil pressure warning light may be on for several seconds as the oil must fill all channels and oil reservoirs in the engine.
10. Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the sump. Check the oil level and top up if necessary.
6-cylinder DOHC engines
Removing the filter element cover from the oil filter housing on a 6-cylinder DOHC engine
Unscrewing the oil drain plug on a 6-cylinder DOHC engine
Installing a new O-ring on the oil filter cap of a 6-cylinder DOHC engine
Installing a new filter element in the oil filter housing cover of a 6-cylinder DOHC engine
1. Unscrew the cap from the oil filter housing.
2. Wait for the oil to drain from the oil filter housing, then remove the cover together with the filter element (see fig. Removing the filter element cover from the oil filter housing on a 6-cylinder DOHC engine).
3. Remove the filter element from the cover and remove the O-ring.
4. Loosen the drain plug about half a turn. Place an oil drain container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug completely. If necessary, press down on the plug when unscrewing to prevent the oil from leaking prematurely. Remove the O-ring from the oil drain plug.
5. When the oil is completely drained, wipe everything around the drain hole with a rag and screw the plug securely into place.
6. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface.
7. Wipe off all traces of oil and dirt from the oil filter cap and fit a new O-ring to the cap (see fig. Installing a new O-ring on the oil filter cap of a 6-cylinder DOHC engine).
8. Install a new filter element in the oil filter housing cover (see fig. Installing a new filter element in the oil filter housing cover of a 6-cylinder DOHC engine).
9. Install the filter element cap onto the oil filter housing and tighten the cap securely.
10. Remove the dipstick to measure the oil level and remove the plug from the oil filler neck.
11. Fill the engine with oil using the correct grade of oil. Pour in half the required amount of oil and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan. Then continue adding oil in small increments until the oil level reaches the minimum level on the dipstick. Adding about 1 liter more will bring the oil level up to the maximum level on the dipstick. Close the filler cap.
12. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check it for oil leaks around the filter and drain plug on the pan. Keep in mind that the oil pressure warning light may be on for several seconds as the oil must fill all channels and oil reservoirs in the engine.
13. Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the sump. Check the oil level and top up if necessary.
4-cylinder engines
Models with replaceable filter element
Attention! When replacing the filter element, new O-rings must be used for the pinch bolt and air cleaner housing roof.
Location of the pinch bolt for securing the oil filter housing cover on models with 4-cylinder engines with a replaceable filter element
Removing the filter element from the oil filter housing on 4-cylinder engines
O-rings of circular cross-section
Install new O-rings to the oil filter housing cover (1) and pinch bolt (2).
1. Unscrew the pinch bolt and remove it together with the oil filter housing cover. Remove the O-rings from the cover and pinch bolt (see fig. Location of the pinch bolt for securing the oil filter housing cover on models with 4-cylinder engines with a replaceable filter element).
2. Remove the filter element from the oil filter housing (see fig. Removing the filter element from the oil filter housing on 4-cylinder engines).
3. Loosen the drain plug about half a turn. Place an oil drain container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug completely. If necessary, press down on the plug when unscrewing to prevent the oil from leaking prematurely. Remove the O-ring from the oil drain plug.
4. When the oil is completely drained, wipe everything around the drain hole with a rag and screw the plug securely into place.
5. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface.
6. Wipe the oil filter housing and cap and install a new filter element in the housing. Install new o-rings on cover and pinch bolt (see fig. O-rings of circular cross-section).
7. Install the cover on the oil filter housing and secure it with the bolt, tightening it to the required torque.
8. Remove the dipstick to measure the oil level and remove the plug from the oil filler neck.
9. Fill the engine with oil using the correct grade of oil. Pour in half the required amount of oil and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan. Then continue adding oil in small increments until the oil level reaches the minimum level on the dipstick. Adding about 1 liter more will bring the oil level up to the maximum level on the dipstick. Close the filler cap.
10. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check it for oil leaks around the filter and drain plug on the pan. Keep in mind that the oil pressure warning light may be on for several seconds as the oil must fill all channels and oil reservoirs in the engine.
11. Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the sump. Check the oil level and top up if necessary.
Replaceable Filter Models
Oil filter location on 4-cylinder engines with replaceable oil filter
1. Use the special tool to loosen the oil filter, then unscrew it by hand (see fig. Oil filter location on 4-cylinder engines with replaceable oil filter).
2. Wipe off all traces of oil and dirt around the filter attachment. Check if the rubber seal is left on the cylinder block. If it remains, then remove it.
3. Lubricate the rubber seal of the new oil filter with a light coat of engine oil and screw on the filter by hand without using any tools.
4. Loosen the drain plug about half a turn. Place an oil drain container under the drain plug and unscrew the plug completely. If necessary, press down on the plug when unscrewing to prevent the oil from leaking prematurely. Remove the O-ring from the oil drain plug.
5. When the oil is completely drained, wipe everything around the drain hole with a rag and screw the plug securely into place.
6. Park the vehicle on a level, level surface.
7. Remove the dipstick to measure the oil level and remove the plug from the oil filler neck.
8. Fill the engine with oil using the correct grade of oil. Pour in half the required amount of oil and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the pan. Then continue adding oil in small increments until the oil level reaches the minimum level on the dipstick. Adding about 1 liter more will bring the oil level up to the maximum level on the dipstick. Close the filler cap.
9. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check it for oil leaks around the filter and drain plug on the pan. Keep in mind that the oil pressure warning light may be on for several seconds as the oil must fill all channels and oil reservoirs in the engine.
10. Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the sump. Check the oil level and top up if necessary.