How To Change Your Oil Filter
Your car’s oil filter helps to sift out contaminants from your engine oil, which can accumulate over time. Since your engine oil passes through so many important parts of your engine, any contaminants can wear out these vital components, so it’s important that your oil stays clean.
How often to change oil filter?
Cars will typically need a new oil filter around annually or every 8,000 miles, whichever is sooner. It’s also recommended that you change both your oil your oil filter every time.
Before you begin
Make sure you have the right Engine Oil for your car. You must not dispose of old oil or oil filters in standard waste bins. You can find your nearest recycling point here.
Parts and tools required
Step 1 - Find the parts
First, you’ll need to purchase the correct replacement oil filter and Engine Oil for your vehicle make and model. You can use our car parts finder to locate the right one – just enter your vehicle registration number to be shown all the parts that fit your car.
Step 2 - Warm your engine
Park on a level surface ready to begin. Warm oil is easier to drain and will capture more contaminants, so leave your engine running for a few minutes. We’d also recommend using an oil flush at this stage, like the Wynns Engine Flush, to remove any deposits or build-ups.
Step 3 - Locate your oil filter
Your oil filter will be accessible either from underneath the car or within the engine bay – your vehicle’s Haynes manual will have this information. If your oil filter is underneath the car, you may need to jack the car up to access it.
Step 4 - Drain your oil
Place your drain pan or container beneath the oil sump plug. Loosen the sump plug with a spanner and remove, then allow the oil to drain completely. Take care as the oil may be hot if the engine was running for a while. As best practice to prevent leaks, we recommend you replace the sump plug seal every time. With the oil drained, you can now re-tighten the plug. Some manufacturers have a torque setting that must be followed.
Step 5 - Change the oil filter
Remove the old oil filter using the oil filter Removal Spanner. Coat the seal of the new filter with fresh engine oil to lubricate, then tighten it into place by hand. Some filters are contained within a cartridge and so will need to be tightened using a spanner.
Step 6 - Refill your oil
Top up your engine oil under the bonnet to the level specified in your owner’s manual. Make sure you use the right oil type for your car, using the Halfords Parts Finder. This can also be found in your owner’s manual.
Run your engine for a few moments to allow the oil to circulate. The oil light should go out once the oil has moved around the engine and filled the new filter. Check for any leaks during this time.
Stop the engine and allow a few moments for the oil to settle back into the sump, before checking your oil level to make sure you’ve put enough in. If your vehicle doesn’t have a dipstick under the bonnet, you can check the oil level display on your dashboard.