Each engine is made from high technology miracles, and routine maintenance, no matter how big or small, it is vital to keep it running. Every vehicle’s oil filter is the most frequently replaced service part. The engine oil filter’s job is to filter out dangerous particles from the oil stream that could damage internal engine parts. It keeps debris, metal shavings, and sludge out of the oil and protects the engine.
Changing the oil and filter in your engine ensures it will continue to run smoothly. Installation of such a part correctly and at a specific time can prevent costly engine damage and other performance challenges.
Engine oil filters play an important function in this. The engine oil filter captures all the sludge and grime that the oil gains while lubricating the engine. Without a new oil filter in place, the fresh engine oil will travel through the old filter, causing the oil to become unclean and less effective.
1. Follow These Step By Step Instruction To Install Oil Filters
- Step 1. Safety Instructions and Precautions
- Step 2. Locating The Engine Oil Filter
- Step 3. Drain The Engine Oil
- Step 4. Removing Old Engine Oil Filter
- Step 5. Cleaning Before Fitting The New Oil Filter
- Step 6. Preparation Before Fitting The New Oil Filter
- Step 7. Fitting The New Oil Filter
- Step 8. Pour New Engine Oil
- Step 9. Jacking The Car Down
- Step 10. Checking The New Oil Filter
1. Follow These Step By Step Instruction To Install Oil Filters
Step 1. Safety Instructions and Precautions
Park the vehicle on a flat surface, pull the emergency brake and place wheel chocks on the rear side of the rear wheels. These wheel chocks will not allow the vehicle to roll back while jacking up. Be careful when lifting the car. Use secure jack points for the jack and jack stands.
Step 2. Locating The Engine Oil Filter
Every vehicle has an oil filter fitted on the engine block that can be in different places, like on top, below, or in the centre. You may easily remove the filter if it is in the top area, but most vehicles have the oil filter fitted in the centre or on the lower side of the engine block which can be easily removed from below the vehicle. The engine oil filter is cylindrical and, depending on the brand, may be of the spin-on type or cartridge type.
| Car | How to Locate The Engine Oil Filter |
| Ford F-150 (2004 to 2008) | The engine oil filter is placed at the front of the engine and is slightly above the cross member. |
| Ford F150 (2009 to 2014) | The engine oil filter is fitted on the front of the engine and is slightly above the cross member below the alternator. |
| Ford F150 (2015 to 2020) | The engine oil filter is fitted on the front of the engine and is slightly above the cross member near the crankshaft damper pulley. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (2009 to 2018) | The engine oil filter is placed on the right side of the engine and is near the oil sump. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (2014 to 2020) | The engine oil filter is placed at the top of the engine and is slightly below the engine air filter hose pipe. |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999 to 2019) | The engine oil filter is located at the lower left side of the engine and is very close to the oil sump. |
| Honda Civic (1996 to 2020) | The engine oil filter is placed at the lower left side of the engine and is very close to the oil sump. |
| Toyota Corolla (2009 to 2017) | The engine oil filter is located at the back of the engine on the right side near the engine oil sump. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2005 to 2010) | The cartridge-type engine oil filter is placed at the lower front of the engine near the engine oil sump. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2019 to 2020) | The spin-on type engine oil filter is placed at the lower front side of the engine and is above the oil sump. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2010 to 2014) | The cartridge-type engine oil filter is placed at the top front of the engine and is below the air intake manifold. |
| Hyundai Elantra (2001 to 2020) | The engine oil filter is located at the lower front side of the engine and is very close to the oil sump. |
| GMC Sierra 1500 (1999 to 2018) | The engine oil filter is placed at the lower right side of the engine and is very close to the oil sump. |
| Jeep Truck Wrangler (2014 to 2020) | The cartridge-type engine oil filter is placed at the top right side of the engine and is behind the alternator. |
| Jeep Truck Wrangler (2007 to 2011) | The spin-on type engine oil filter is placed at the bottom left side of the engine and is fitted just above the oil sump. |
| Mazda 3 Series (2003 to 2014) | The engine oil filter is placed at the lower side of the engine and is very close to the oil sump. |
Step 3. Drain The Engine Oil
Locate the drain plug under the vehicle. Usually, it is a square nut located on the lowest part of the engine block (either on the bottom or on the side). Now, place an oil pan underneath the drain plug and remove the drain plug using a wrench to drain the oil out. Draining the engine oil completely will take approximately 10 minutes. Allow the engine to cool before draining the oil else you might burn your hands.
Step 4. Removing Old Engine Oil Filter
After locating the oil filter, place an oil pan under it. With the help of an oil-filter wrench, remove the oil filter by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction. The oil in the filter will fall into the oil pan. Remove the oil filter carefully and keep it aside.
| Car | How to Remove The Engine Oil Filter |
| Ford F-150 (2004 to 2020) | Using an oil filter wrench, it is simple to remove the oil filter from the bottom side of the car. To do this, you will need to raise the car and remove the 8 plastic press buttons and the 4 bolts securing the bottom metal plate with a 13mm socket. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (2009 to 2018) | Firstly, you need to lift the car and then remove the oil filter located at the bottom side of the vehicle using an oil wrench. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (2014 to 2020) | Use a 24mm socket to remove the cartridge-type oil filter. |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (1999 to 2019) | The oil filter is located on the bottom of the vehicle; remove it with an oil filter wrench by lifting the car. |
| Honda Civic (1996 to 2011) | Firstly, you need to lift the car and then remove the oil filter located at the bottom of the vehicle using an oil wrench. |
| Honda Civic (2016 to 2020) | Release the 6 bolts and 2 screws on the engine bottom plate to remove the oil filter. |
| Toyota Corolla (2009 to 2017) | Lift the car and remove the cartridge-type oil filter from the vehicle’s bottom by using the special oil filter tool. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2005 to 2010) | Use the special oil filter tool for hassle-free removal of the oil filter from the bottom of the vehicle. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2019 to 2020) | First, lift the car and remove the engine bottom plate, which is secured with eight Torx 25 screws and three 13mm bolts to get access to the oil filter. Now, use an oil filter wrench to remove the spin-on-type engine oil filter. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2010 to 2014) | The cartridge-type engine oil filter can be easily removed using the 24mm socket which can be accessed from the top side of the vehicle. In order to remove the oil filter, the engine top cover must first be carefully lifted off. |
| Hyundai Elantra (2001 to 2020) | Raise the vehicle and then remove the oil filter located at the bottom of the vehicle using an oil wrench. |
| GMC Sierra 1500 (1999 to 2018) | Raise the vehicle and then remove the oil filter located at the bottom of the vehicle using an oil wrench. |
| Jeep Truck Wrangler (2014 to 2020) | Use a 24mm socket to remove this cartridge-type filter. |
| Jeep Truck Wrangler (2007 to 2011) | Lift the vehicle and then use an oil filter wrench to remove the spin-on type engine oil filter. |
| Mazda 3 Series (2003 to 2014) | First, take off the little cover that is fastened to the bottom plate. The two little cover bolts must be removed together with the two plastic press buttons using a 10mm socket and clip pliers by lifting the vehicle. Then, with the help of an oil filter wrench, remove the oil filter from the vehicle’s bottom. |
Step 5. Cleaning Before Fitting The New Oil Filter
With the help of a cotton swab, clean the mounting area and where the gasket sits. This will wipe out the debris and dirt. Make sure the old oil filter seal is also off the engine. Sometimes, it gets stuck to the engine block.
Step 6. Preparation Before Fitting The New Oil Filter
Take the engine oil filter off and check if the rubber gasket on the new oil filter is secure and in place. Lubricate the gasket by applying some engine oil using your fingers. This will allow the oil filter to fit properly and prevent any leaks. Always refer to your manual to choose the correct engine oil and grade for your vehicle.
Step 7. Fitting The New Oil Filter
Fit the oil filter properly in the housing stud threads to avoid cross-threading and tighten it with the oil filter wrench. Make sure the gasket contacts the oil filter housing. Do not over-tighten it, as this can damage the rubber gasket and cause it to leak.
Step 8. Pour New Engine Oil
Use a clean funnel and add the amount and kind of oil recommended for your car. To determine what sort of oil to use and how much oil to add, consult your owner’s manual. When finished, screw the oil fill cap and close it.
2. Step 9. Jacking The Car Down
Lift the vehicle with a jack, remove the jack stand, and then completely lower the vehicle.
Step 10. Checking The New Oil Filter
Start the engine for 60 seconds and then turn off the engine. Check the engine oil level with a dipstick and add oil if required. Start the engine again and check for leaks around the engine oil filter. Turn off the engine and close the hood. And that’s it! You have replaced the engine oil filter by doing the work yourself.
