Engine oil is vital to your car’s engine. It’s primary function is to protect internal moving parts by providing lubrication to reduce friction and metal on metal contact. Over time the oil loses its critical properties, so regular replacement of the oil and filter are essential to maintaining your vehicle’s engine.
Porsche recommends replacing your engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles or once a year, whatever comes first. However, we recommend a 5,000 miles or once per year interval to help extend the life of your vehicle’s engine. Replacing the engine oil is a simple job that doesn’t require many tools, making it suitable even for novice do-it-yourselfers. Before getting started, take a look at video from the YouTube channel, Wilnomadic, to get an overview. Detailed step-by-step instructions along with tools, parts, and exact specifications can be found below.
- Mechanic’s Tool Set
- Foxwell NT530 OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner (for Porsche) (optional tool to reset oil lamp)
- 32mm Oil Filter Socket, 3/8 Inch Drive
- 3/8 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb.)
- Torx Bit Socket Set, T10-T60
- Oil Drain Pan, 16 Quarts Capacity
- Long Neck Fluid Funnel
- RhinoGear Vehicle Ramp – Set of 2 (12,000lb. GVW Capacity)
- Disposable Gloves
- Safety Glasses
Oil filter cap: 18 ft-lbs
Engine oil capacity: 5.5 quarts
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area
- Warm up the engine by driving your car around for 5 minutes. This will help the oil flow more easily.
- Gather required tools and parts and put on gloves and eye protection.
- Position vehicle on a flat surface.
- Open the engine cover.
- To access the oil filter, you will need to remove the black plastic engine cover; grab the cover and pull it straight up to remove it.
- Remove the oil filler cap, which will help the oil drain faster.
Step 2: Raise your vehicle
- If extra clearance is needed, raise the vehicle using either vehicle ramps or jack stands.
- Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
Step 3: Drain the engine oil
- Gain access to the oil pan by removing the plastic underbody panel which is held on by 16 T25 Torx screws.
- Slide underneath the car from the front side and locate the plastic oil drain plug, which is located on the left side of the plastic oil pan.
- Position the large oil catch pan underneath the oil drain plug.
- With rubber gloves on, use the drain plug removal tool or a flat head screwdriver to turn the plug counterclockwise until it pops out.
- Let the oil drain for at least 15 minutes.
Step 4: Replace the engine oil filter
- While the oil is draining, go to the engine bay and locate the oil filter housing at the front of the engine.
- Remove the oil filter cap using a 32mm oil filter socket.
- Use a small flat head screwdriver to carefully remove the old rubber gasket on the oil filter cap; be careful not to scratch the oil filter cap in the process.
- Slide the new gasket onto the oil filter cap and smear a small amount of oil over the seal to lubricate it.
- Install the new filter element onto the oil filter housing and make sure the filter is seated properly.
- Reinstall the oil filter cap and torque it to 18 ft-lbs using a torque wrench.
Step 5: Re-install the oil drain plug
- Install a new drain plug; be sure to align the two tabs on the outer edge of the drain plug with the corresponding tabs on the oil pan.
- Turn the drain plug clockwise with the drain plug tool; once the drain plug snaps into place, you’re done and don’t need to tighten it any further.
Step 6: Add new engine oil
- Using a funnel, add 4.5 quarts of new oil; you will top off the engine oil in the next step.
- Double check under the car that there are no oil leaks.
- Reinstall the underbody panel and plastic engine cover.
- Lower your car back down; if you’re using vehicle ramps, you can just put your car in neutral and let it roll back down.
Step 7: Ensure the engine oil has been filled to the correct level
- With the vehicle on a flat surface and level, start the engine and let it run for several minutes to get the oil up to the right temperature for measuring the oil level.
- On the digital gauge cluster, go to the vehicle settings and select “Oil measurement”.
- Turn off the engine; depending on the oil level readings, add 0.125 quarts of oil at a time and re-measure the oil level.
- Repeat as many times as necessary until the oil level is between the maximum and minimum levels.
Step 8: Reset the vehicle's service indicator
- To reset your service indicator, you will need a Foxwell NT530 or similar tool.
- Connect the diagnostic tool to the OBDII port and turn the ignition to the “ON” position.
- As shown in this video, go through the menus on the diagnostic tool.
- You should be able to select your vehicle and find an “oil lamp reset” functionality.
- While the iCarSoft POR II featured in the video works, we recommend the Foxwell because it has additional features like the ability to register a new battery to your vehicle.
Step 9: Collect all of your tools and clean up
Note: Engine oil is damaging to the environment. Take your oil engine oil to any local auto parts store to recycle it.
JJ says:
Did everything in steps 1 to 7 above. Indicator says needs 1.2 l oil immediately. Stop driving. Added half liter twice ( ie total 5 liters used in fill). same message. no leaks anywhere. Is this just a faulty sensor? If so, how can I fix it as it prevents me from using any of my steering wheel command functions.
larry says:
it takes awhile to recalibrate and the 6 cylinder engine takes more oil