🔧 Kicks - 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 Kicks’ engine lubricated and helps prevent wear and sludge buildup.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine to avoid burns from hot oil and exhaust parts.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and tires; clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil/filter properly (most parts stores accept 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks (pair)
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil drain pan (at least 6-quart)
• Oil filter pliers
• Funnel
• Trim clip remover tool
• 10mm socket
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off (warm oil drains faster, but don’t work on a hot engine).
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps oil drain smoothly).
• If your Kicks has a lower splash shield/undercover, you may need to remove a small access panel first.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise the front of the Kicks

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper support points and lower onto them.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

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

• Use a trim clip remover tool to pop out plastic clips (a clip is a push-pin fastener).
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any 10mm bolts.
• Move the panel aside so you can reach the drain plug and oil filter.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the oil drain pan (at least 6-quart) under 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).
• Tip: Keep the plug pressed in while unthreading.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Remove the old washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with a 14mm socket and Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter area (oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use oil filter pliers to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket (seal) is not stuck to the engine mounting surface.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a gloved finger in new oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn by hand.
• If using a torque method: use oil filter pliers carefully and Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs) (do not overtighten).

Step 7: Refill the engine with oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4 quarts of engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut it off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Use a shop towel to wipe the dipstick, reinsert, then check the level.
• Add oil in small amounts (about 0.2 quart at a time) until it reaches the full mark.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.

Step 9: Reinstall the access cover and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the undercover/access panel using the 10mm socket and trim clip remover tool (to re-seat clips).
• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle.

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

• Using the steering wheel buttons, go to Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.
• If you don’t see “Maintenance,” tell me what your dash screen shows and I’ll give the exact path.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick level the next morning (engine cold) and top off if needed.
• Confirm there are no drips under the engine after your first short drive.
• Put the used oil in a sealed container and recycle the oil and filter.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹3,500-₹7,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,000-₹4,500 (parts only)

You Save: ₹1,500-₹2,500 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.