How to change my Skoda's oil and filter?
How to change the engine oil and filter for a 2015 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI? Is there a step-by-step guide or a video?
Arvind Sharma (Maidenhead)Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Arvind,
The work to change the oil and filter in that Skoda is little different to the same job in any other car, but we'd not recommend it is done by someone without experience unless supervised by someone that has. There are lots of things that can go wrong in the process that could lead to engine damage and further costs, which would massively outweigh the savings made by not going to a professional in the first place.
If you are determined to do it, here is a generic step-by-step set of instructions that could be applied to most cars, and it's written on the assumption that the car is safely raised on a proper vehicle lift:
- With the lift lowered, turn off the ignition, remove the keys and pop the bonnet.
- Remove and clean the dipstick and remove the oil filler cap. Make sure nothing can fall into the hole.
- Raise the lift so you can comfortably walk under the car and reach the underside of the engine.
- With a suitable collecting recepticle to hand, locate the oil sump plug and remove it. The dirty used oil will start to flow before it is fully out so be prepared for that.
- Once the flow has clearly slowed to a tricikle, locate the oil filter. On some cars this will be accessible from above the engine, in others, below. On some cars, it will be a cartridge within a permanent outer casing, on others, an aluminium-skinned component that screws off in its entirety. It's highly likely you'll need a special oil filter removal tool to take it off. Most of the time, a small amount of dirty oil will leak out, so be prepared to collect that under the car.
- Check the new oil filter against the old one. In particular, the sealing rings must be in an identical position.
- Fit new oil filter tightly to recommended tightness.
- It's often a good idea to fit a new oil sump washer at this stage, then tighten up the sump plug to the recommended tightness and give everything a wipe down.
- Lower the car again and fill with new oil to about a litre less than the official full level. Replace the dipstick and oil filler cap.
- Start the engine without revving it, let it idle a minute, then turn it off again.
- Check the oil level with a cleaned dipstick and top up as necessary.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor@Shane_O_D