🔧 Cadenza - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil. Clean oil protects your engine from wear and helps it run cooler and smoother.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil and exhaust parts can be very hot—let the engine cool 20-30 minutes.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; used oil is messy and can irritate skin.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine with no oil in it.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not 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 (10-quart minimum)
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Oil filter wrench (adjustable band type)
• Funnel
• 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: 7 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 Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm oil drains faster: idle 2-3 minutes, then shut off. Let it cool so it’s warm, not scorching.
• Assumption: your Cadenza has a lower splash shield.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front of the car

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the correct support points and gently shake the car to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the bolts.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out any plastic clips (a trim tool is a forked pry tool made to remove clips without breaking them).
• Set the shield and hardware aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Slide the drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and pull it away quickly so oil drops into the pan.
• Let it drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall drain plug with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface with shop rags.
• Install a new oil drain plug crush washer on the plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with 17mm socket and Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (adjustable band type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a “gasket” is the rubber sealing ring). If it’s stuck to the engine, peel it off with your fingers and wipe clean with shop rags.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a dab of fresh oil on your finger and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine.
• Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn (do not use the wrench to tighten).
• Hand-tight is correct—over-tight can cause leaks.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield.
• Reinstall clips with the trim clip removal tool (press them in straight).
• Reinstall bolts using the 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.

Step 8: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap.
• Use a funnel to add 6.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil cap.
• Start low, then top off after checking.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, then verify oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop rags, reinsert fully, then pull again to read level.
• Add oil in small amounts (about 1/4 quart at a time) using the funnel until the level is at the full mark.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter area.

Step 10: Reset the service reminder (if it’s on)

• Using the steering wheel buttons, go to User Settings > Service Interval.
• Select Reset (wording can vary slightly by cluster).

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick again after your first short drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores accept used oil).
• Wipe any spilled oil off the splash shield and frame to prevent smoke/burning smell.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $40-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$85 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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