🔧 Compass - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil so your engine stays protected and clean. The oil filter traps debris; replacing it prevents dirty oil from circulating.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the Compass with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil will drip when the filter opens.
• ⚠️ Keep the key out of the vehicle so nobody starts it while you’re under 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
• Oil drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive, 10-50 ft-lbs range)
• 24mm socket
• Flat trim tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic, MS-6395 equivalent) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring set - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock 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 to help the crankcase vent while draining.
• If equipped with a lower splash shield, you’ll remove the access panel to reach the drain plug.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the Compass

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Remove the lower access panel (if equipped)

• Slide the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the engine oil pan area.
• Use a flat trim tool to pop out the plastic fasteners on the access panel, then move the panel aside.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish unthreading the plug by hand while pushing inward slightly, then 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 the drain plug with a new gasket

• Wipe the drain plug and the oil pan sealing surface with shop towels.
• Install a new oil drain plug gasket on the plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench with a 13mm socket: Torque to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Replace the oil filter cartridge

• From the top of the engine bay, locate the oil filter housing cap (the cap is removed with a large socket).
• Place shop towels around the housing to catch drips.
• Use a 24mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter housing cap, then remove it slowly.
• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap.
• Replace the housing O-ring(s) from the oil filter housing O-ring set. (An O-ring is a round rubber seal that prevents leaks.)
• Lightly coat the new O-ring(s) with fresh oil (dip a gloved finger into new oil).
• Install the new engine oil filter cartridge onto the cap.
• Thread the cap in by hand, then use a torque wrench with a 24mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the lower access panel (if removed)

• Reposition the panel and reinstall the fasteners by hand.
• Use a flat trim tool to seat the plastic fasteners fully.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 5.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check under the vehicle and around the filter housing for leaks using safety glasses.
• Top off as needed (usually you’ll use close to the remaining oil), adding small amounts at a time through the funnel.
• Wipe the dipstick, reinsert it fully, then re-check until the level is at the safe/full range.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after your first 5-10 minute drive.
• Reset the oil life reminder using one of these methods:
• Method A (common): Turn ignition to ON (engine off), then press the accelerator pedal fully 3 times within 10 seconds.
• Method B (if your cluster menu supports it): Use the steering wheel controls to find the oil life screen and hold the reset/OK button to reset.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores accept it).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$170 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $55-$100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 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.