🔧 Optima - 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 lubricated, helps control heat, and protects the turbo from oil-related wear.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot. Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and the exhaust; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the filter at a recycling center/parts store—don’t pour it out.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Oil filter cap wrench 67mm 14-flute
• Funnel
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-30 full synthetic, API SN/SP) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand (this helps it drain).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front of your Optima

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands and gently rock the car to confirm it’s stable.
• Keep wheel chocks in place.

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

• Under the engine, remove the shield fasteners using a 10mm socket.
• Pop any plastic clips using a trim clip removal tool (this is a forked tool that lifts push-clips without breaking them).
• Set the shield and hardware aside.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Slide an oil drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then remove it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 17mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter area (it will spill some).
• Use an oil filter cap wrench 67mm 14-flute with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil 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 bad leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a little oil on a gloved finger).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Hand-tight is correct—don’t over-tighten.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reinstall the lower shield using the trim clip removal tool (to seat push-clips) and tighten bolts with a 10mm socket.

Step 8: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the car back to the ground using the floor jack.
• Place a funnel in the oil fill hole.
• Pour in about 5.0 quarts of SAE 5W-30 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check under the car for leaks at the drain plug and filter; wipe with shop towels and re-check.
• Check the dipstick and top off slowly until you’re at the full mark (usually total capacity ends up around ~5.1 quarts with filter).

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✅ After Repair

• Re-check the dipstick again after your first short drive (5-10 minutes) and top off if needed.
• Reset the service reminder (if your Optima is set up for it): use the steering wheel buttons to go to User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.
• Put the used oil into the empty oil bottles and take it + the old filter to a recycling drop-off.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹4,500-₹9,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹6,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹2,000-₹3,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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