🔧 Soul - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil. Clean oil protects your engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the Soul with jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 10-20 minutes if it’s fully warmed up.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/exhaust; wipe spills immediately to prevent smoke and smells.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Funnel
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (strap-type)
• Trim clip remover
• 10mm socket
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 4 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Start the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. This warms the oil slightly so it drains better.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap (this helps the oil drain faster).
• A “crush washer” is a soft ring that seals the drain plug.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front of the Soul

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper front jacking point.
• Set it down onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before you go underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a trim clip remover to pop out any plastic clips.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any small bolts.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Slide the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.

Step 4: Install the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Remove the old washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 17mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 39-44 Nm (29-33 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the oil filter area (the filter will spill oil when loosened).
• Use an oil filter wrench (strap-type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old filter’s rubber gasket came off with the filter. If it’s stuck to the engine, peel it off with your fingers and wipe the surface with shop rags.
• Double-gasket = big leak. Always check!

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a gloved finger (use nitrile gloves) into new oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the engine.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. If using a torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) (only if your filter spec is provided on the box), typical spin-on filter tightening is: Torque to 12-16 Nm (9-12 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield.
• Install bolts with a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet, and push clips back in using the trim clip remover.

Step 8: Refill the engine with new oil

• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Place a funnel in the oil fill hole and pour in SAE 5W-20 full synthetic.
• Fill amount (assumption): Start with 3.5 quarts, then top off as needed after checking the dipstick.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 2-3 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter using safety glasses.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then recheck. Add oil slowly using the funnel until it reaches the “FULL” mark.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive, then recheck the dipstick level on level ground.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store—do not dump it.
• If your Soul has a service reminder in the cluster, reset it: User Settings > Service Interval > Reset (menu wording can vary by cluster).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$95 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.