🔧 Malibu - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and oil filter keeps your A4’s turbo engine lubricated, cool, and clean. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct dexos oil and reset the oil life monitor.

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

Assumption: Your Malibu uses the 1.5L turbo with a top-mounted cartridge oil filter and requires 0W-20 dexos1 oil.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands, not just a jack.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 15–30 minutes before draining.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; oil will drip and splash.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and electrical connectors; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for an oil change.

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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 (6-quart minimum)
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• 24mm socket
• Flat trim tool
• Funnel
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic, dexos1 Gen 2 / dexos1 approved) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter (cartridge type) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug seal (if separate from plug) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off (warm oil drains faster).
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).

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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 to lift the front at the factory jack point.
• Set the car onto jack stands and gently rock the car to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Use a flat trim tool to pop out any plastic fasteners.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet and the appropriate sockets (commonly 10mm if present) to remove any small bolts holding the panel.
• Tip: Lay fasteners in a small cup.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place your drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand and let the oil drain fully (5–10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface using shop towels.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install a new oil drain plug seal if your plug uses one.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench and 15mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (top-mounted cartridge style)

• Locate the oil filter housing at the top of the engine.
• Place shop towels around the housing to catch drips.
• Use a 24mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter cap (turn counterclockwise).
• Remove the cap and old filter cartridge. Pull the old cartridge off the cap.
• Replace the cap O-ring (usually included with the new filter). Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh oil using a gloved finger.
• Snap the new filter cartridge onto the cap, then reinstall the cap by hand.
• Use a torque wrench and 24mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• What “O-ring” means: A rubber sealing ring that prevents leaks.

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the panel and reinstall fasteners using a flat trim tool and 3/8" drive ratchet.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the car safely off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 4.0 qt of 0W-20 dexos1 oil first.
• Wait 1 minute, then check the dipstick, and top off as needed to reach the full mark (typical total with filter is about 4.2 qt).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and re-check the level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look under the car for leaks at the drain plug area.
• Open the hood and check around the oil filter housing for any seepage.
• Wait 5 minutes, then re-check the dipstick and top off if needed using the funnel.

Step 9: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition on (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel controls to navigate the Driver Information Center.
• Go to the Oil Life screen and hold the confirm button: Hold SET/CLR to Reset.
• Verify oil life shows 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the dipstick again the next morning (cold engine) and adjust if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter at an auto parts store or recycling center—do not pour it on the ground.
• If you see any drips, re-check the drain plug and filter cap torque.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 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?

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.