MasTRE
07-27-2006, 08:02 PM
Someone asked me about this via PM, I figured I'd post here for the benefit of others. I've done this at least 4 times with no issues and minimal fuss. I originally adapted this procedure from the procedure I used on my late 2000 Passat 1.8t.
PROCEDURE:
Get oil up to operating temperature (~10 min driving), park it, open hood, lift up the front, put it on jack stands, remove drain plug, catch oil, find something to do for 45-60 min, come back after specified time, stick your left arm from the right side of the car down by the firewall, grab, unscrew and remove the used filter. It will still be warm, maybe even a little hot, but it shouldn't burn you. There is no need to touch the exhaust manifold (which can and will burn you).
Replace drain plug (torque it to 45 N·m/33 ft-lbs), lower car, pour some oil into new filter and lubricate the seal with fresh oil using your finger, hand tighten only (not as hard as you can), fill up with oil, close hood, start car & drive off into the sunset :)
TIP: You may want to break the used oil filter first by using an oil filter wrench so that it's easy to unscrew; take a new filter to your fav auto parts store and find a fitting wrench - I got mine for $4.
TIP: Use a 1-gallon ziploc bag over the filter when removing it so you don't spill oil on the floor and all over your hand(s); you can then empty this (as well as filter) into your oil catcher.
TIP: What does hand-tight mean? To me it means tighten it until it's minimally tight (i.e. no longer turns easily) and then give it an extra half to three-quarters of a turn. Some filters have instructions on them.
DISPOSE OF USED OIL PROPERLY!
PROCEDURE:
Get oil up to operating temperature (~10 min driving), park it, open hood, lift up the front, put it on jack stands, remove drain plug, catch oil, find something to do for 45-60 min, come back after specified time, stick your left arm from the right side of the car down by the firewall, grab, unscrew and remove the used filter. It will still be warm, maybe even a little hot, but it shouldn't burn you. There is no need to touch the exhaust manifold (which can and will burn you).
Replace drain plug (torque it to 45 N·m/33 ft-lbs), lower car, pour some oil into new filter and lubricate the seal with fresh oil using your finger, hand tighten only (not as hard as you can), fill up with oil, close hood, start car & drive off into the sunset :)
TIP: You may want to break the used oil filter first by using an oil filter wrench so that it's easy to unscrew; take a new filter to your fav auto parts store and find a fitting wrench - I got mine for $4.
TIP: Use a 1-gallon ziploc bag over the filter when removing it so you don't spill oil on the floor and all over your hand(s); you can then empty this (as well as filter) into your oil catcher.
TIP: What does hand-tight mean? To me it means tighten it until it's minimally tight (i.e. no longer turns easily) and then give it an extra half to three-quarters of a turn. Some filters have instructions on them.
DISPOSE OF USED OIL PROPERLY!