🔧 Regal - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your turbo engine from wear and sludge. You’ll also reset the oil life monitor so your maintenance reminders stay accurate.

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

Assumption: your Regal uses the 2.0L turbo (LTG) with a cartridge-style oil filter cap on top of the engine.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust parts to prevent smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil will splash when the drain plug comes out.
• ⚠️ 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 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (7-quart minimum)
• Socket wrench (3/8" drive)
• 15mm socket
• 27mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–50 Nm range)
• Flat trim clip tool
• Torx T20 screwdriver
• Funnel
• Measuring jug (1-quart marked)
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (dexos1 Gen 2, 5W-30 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter (cartridge type) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. This helps the oil drain faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).
• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands at the proper lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan under the oil pan area.
• Remove any small access panel or undertray fasteners using a Torx T20 screwdriver and/or release clips with a flat trim clip tool.
• Set hardware aside so you don’t lose it.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Use a 15mm socket with a socket wrench to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish unthreading by hand while pushing the plug inward slightly, then pull it away quickly to reduce splashes.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug and sealing surface with shop towels.

Step 3: Replace the drain plug washer and reinstall the plug

• Install the new oil drain plug gasket/washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten with a torque wrench and 15mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Spray a little brake cleaner spray on the area and wipe with shop towels so you can spot leaks later.

Step 4: Remove and replace the oil filter (cartridge style)

• Locate the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine.
• Use a 27mm socket with a socket wrench to loosen the cap slowly. Go slow; it may dribble oil.
• Lift the cap and filter out together, keeping it upright over the engine.
• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap (it will “snap” off).
• Remove the old O-ring from the cap and install the new O-ring from the filter kit.
  • An O-ring is a rubber sealing ring that prevents leaks.
• Wipe the housing opening clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with a dab of fresh oil (use your finger) so it seats without tearing.
• Push the new filter cartridge onto the cap until it fully seats.
• Thread the cap in by hand, then tighten using a torque wrench and 27mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reinstall the undertray/access panel using the Torx T20 screwdriver and any clips with the flat trim clip tool.
• Make sure it’s secure and not rubbing the tires or hanging down.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 4.5 quarts first using a measuring jug, then reinstall the oil fill cap.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 3–5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed to reach the full mark (typically ends up close to 5.0 quarts total).

Step 7: Reset the oil life monitor

• Turn ignition to ON (engine can be off).
• Use the steering wheel controls to navigate the driver display to the Oil Life screen.
• Press and hold SET/CLR until it resets to 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and look under the car for 1–2 minutes for any drips.
• Re-check the dipstick after a short 5–10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter properly (most auto parts stores accept used oil).
• If you smell burning oil briefly, re-check for spills on the engine and clean with brake cleaner spray.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$135 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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