🔧 86 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your FA20 engine lubricated properly and helps prevent wear and oil sludge.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your 86 with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes if needed.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Do not overtighten the drain plug or filter—stripped threads cause expensive leaks.

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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)
• Funnel
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (band-style)
• Trim clip tool
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 86 on level ground 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 loosen the oil fill cap by hand to help the oil drain.

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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 of your 86 at the approved front lift point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) placed at solid support points.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before you go underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower cover access (undertray access area)

• Position a drain pan (6-quart minimum) under the engine area.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the small under-cover fasteners for the service access.
• If your cover uses push-clips, release them with a trim clip tool.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Locate the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing 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 ft-lbs range) and 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 42 N·m (31 ft-lbs).
• A torque wrench tightens to an exact setting.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan (6-quart minimum) under the oil filter.
• Use an oil filter wrench (band-style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (it should not stick to the engine).
• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop towels.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh oil using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If you prefer using a torque wrench adapter for the filter, tell me what filter wrench style you have and I’ll guide you.

Step 7: Reinstall the under cover access

• Reinstall the service access panel/fasteners using the 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Confirm nothing is hanging down before lowering the car.

Step 8: Refill the engine with oil

• Lower your 86 off the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in SAE 0W-20 full synthetic:
  • Start with about 5.0 quarts, then top up after checking the dipstick.
  • Final fill (with filter change) is typically about 5.4 quarts (5.1 L).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 2–3 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with a shop towel, reinsert, then read the level.
• Add oil in small amounts using the funnel until the level is near the full mark.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after your first short drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling drop-off location.
• If your dash shows an oil/maintenance reminder, tell me exactly what message you see and whether it’s on the gauge display or the radio screen, and I’ll give you the correct reset steps for your 86.

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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 0.7-1.0 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.