🔧 Forte - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine properly lubricated and helps prevent sludge, wear, and overheating.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 10-15 minutes; oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin/eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and exhaust parts to avoid smoke/odor.

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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
• Shop rags
• Ratchet
• Socket extension (3-inch)
• 17mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Oil filter wrench (cup or strap type)
• Torque wrench (3/8-inch drive)
• Oil drain plug gasket scraper

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• 🌡️ Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off (warm oil drains faster).
• 📌 Assumption: your Forte has the plastic lower engine cover installed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front at the approved front center jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) placed at the front pinch welds.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the bolts holding the cover.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to pop out any plastic clips (turn the center and lift).
• Set the cover and fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Place the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket, ratchet, and socket extension (3-inch) to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and quickly pull it away so oil streams into the pan.
• Let it drain until it slows to a drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Replace the drain plug crush washer and reinstall the plug

• Remove the old washer from the drain plug. Use the oil drain plug gasket scraper if it’s stuck.
• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer (it helps seal and prevent leaks).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (3/8-inch drive) with a 17mm socket to tighten: Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting the plug prevents stripped threads.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cup or strap type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a major leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn. Do not use the oil filter wrench (cup or strap type) to tighten.
• Overtight filters can be very hard to remove.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reposition the cover and start all bolts by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Reinstall any clips using the flathead screwdriver.

Step 8: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine.
• Insert the funnel and add 4.2 quarts of SAE 5W-20 full synthetic.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 2-3 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert, then re-check the level and top off as needed.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck the oil level the next day; top off if needed.
• 🧼 Wipe any spilled oil with shop rags to prevent burning smell.
• ♻️ Pour used oil into the empty oil bottles and take it (and the old filter) to a recycling drop-off/auto parts store.
• 🛠️ If your Forte has a service reminder, reset it in the cluster: User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 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.