🔧 CX-5 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This repair drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your CX-5 with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the turbocharged 2.5L engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot. Let the engine cool for 10-20 minutes before draining.
• ⚠️ Never work under your CX-5 supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect from hot oil and splashes.
• ⚠️ Keep used oil off your skin and dispose of it at a proper recycling location.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 8mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute
• Drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-30 full synthetic - Qty: 5.1 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your CX-5 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.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are secure without being damaged.
• ♻️ Have a sealed container ready for used oil recycling.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to raise the front of your CX-5.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and give the vehicle a light shake to confirm it is stable.
• Never crawl under a jack-only vehicle.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Cover Access Panel

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use an 8mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the fasteners from the oil service access panel under the engine.
• Move the panel aside and keep the fasteners together.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Filler Cap

• Open the hood.
• Remove the engine oil filler cap by hand.
• This helps the oil drain smoothly from the engine.
• Pull the dipstick slightly upward by hand to let air enter the crankcase.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Position the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Remove the plug carefully by hand and let the oil drain completely.
• Wait until the oil flow slows to a drip.
• Keep your hand away from hot oil.

Step 5: Replace the Drain Plug Washer

• Use shop towels to wipe the drain plug clean.
• Remove the old crush washer by hand.
• Install the new engine oil drain plug crush washer by hand.
• A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that compresses to help prevent leaks.

Step 6: Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil filter.
• Use the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• Unscrew the filter by hand and keep it upright to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter.
• Double gaskets cause major oil leaks.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a clean finger with fresh 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil to lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new oil filter.
• Thread the new spin-on engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten until the gasket contacts the mounting surface, then tighten about 3/4 turn more by hand.
• If using a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench with the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute, Torque to 14 Nm (10 ft-lbs).
• Wipe around the filter with shop towels.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Engine Cover Access Panel

• Place the access panel back into position.
• Use an 8mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall the fasteners snugly.
• Do not overtighten the small cover fasteners.

Step 10: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place a funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Push the dipstick fully back in by hand.

Step 11: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Make sure all tools are clear of the engine bay.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off.
• Use safety glasses and inspect the drain plug and oil filter area for leaks.
• Use shop towels to wipe any spilled oil so new leaks are easy to spot.

Step 12: Lower the Vehicle and Set Final Oil Level

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your CX-5 to level ground.
• Wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop towels, reinsert it fully, then pull it again to check the level.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• Total refill is approximately 5.1 quarts with filter replacement.

Step 13: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the center display controller to select Applications > Vehicle Status Monitor > Maintenance > Oil Change > Reset.
• If your screen shows Scheduled Maintenance instead, select Applications > Vehicle Status Monitor > Maintenance > Scheduled > Reset.
• Turn the ignition off when finished.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine again and confirm the oil pressure warning light turns off within a few seconds.
• ✅ Take a short 5-minute drive, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level.
• ✅ Look under your CX-5 for drips at the drain plug and oil filter.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and filter at an approved oil collection center.
• ✅ Check the oil level again the next day to confirm it stayed full.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

---

🎯 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.