Home oil change.

[martin j.]

No need for garage service now so home* maintenance regime in place, at an oil change can the undertray be easily removed on the drive or will I need to visit a mates workshop to use a ramp/lift, any special tools required?
I have a access to a workshop if jobs are too complex or if weather doesn't suit.

 

[RUM4MO]

Most modern cars need at least the front to be raised up a bit before you can comfortably get under and remove the undertray - and reach in to remove the drain plug.

 

[BillyCool]

I do oil and filter changes at home but you'll need to get the front of the car off the ground.

I use trolley jack and axle stands x2. The front tray is usually torx screws, mine is 2 different sizes (T25/T40?) - might depend on your car though.

My sump plug is quite far back and you'd probably struggle to reach it or get a tray underneath with the car on the ground (or get the tray off).

Don't know what car you have but with mine, the oil filter is an *rse to get to and deffo needs the car propped up. You may not be changing that - much easier job if you don't. I always do though, as the filter is quite small and must get worked quite hard on a TDI.

I try to change oil/filter every 5,000 miles. It's personal choice and certainly not mandatory.

 

[martin j.]

Sounds like I’ll be visiting my mate(and his lifts) for an hour or so, and just make life simple, Ta guys

 

[Lozzy15]

It is certainly a do at home job, as said the car does need raising for access. There is a service guide here for the 1.4 engine, it will be a similar process for other engine varients too however>

Servicing - Service guide - How to change the oil & filter - 1.4 MK3 Leon

Hi guys & gals, A nice simple guide today on how to change your oil & filter at service time. I'll also show how to change the pollen filter. I won't be talking about the air filter as I have a custom one on my car so there's nothing for me to...

www.seatcupra.net

 

[martin j.]

Nice write up, I’ve always had the engine hot before doing the change, and once the old oil is only dripping from the sump hole I add a couple of hundred millilitres of fresh oil and then go away and finish my coffee, once I see clean oil running/dripping out I am ready to refit the plug, I just like to chase the dregs of dirty oil out before filling with fresh, of course not so handy if using a 4l can as this almost all needed to fill to the mark. Weather permitting will do this next week, thanks guys.

 

[SuperV8]

I do mine on my drive, but depends on how 'agile' you are? I do my Dads as well as he is now 70+
I use two ramps as jacking my car (drive is in a slope!) is a bit sketchy to be getting under there!

As my drive slopes down my ramps effectively level the car out so I can fill the car as if it were on level ground.

The TDI (plastic) oil filter housing has a small central screw which is normally is unscrewed to empty the oil filter but mine has seized so I have to just undo the whole filter housing which is fine just a bit messier. Quite a large socket size, I forget which size but just something to check you have before starting the job.