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.
For the 986, Porsche originally recommended changing the engine oil and filter every 15,000 miles. However, this is way too long if you want to get the most life out of your engine. We recommend replacing your engine oil every 5,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. While it may be intimidating to work on your Porsche, changing the oil and filter isn’t much different than on other vehicles. This is a great entry-level maintenance procedure that you can perform yourself and save yourself money on year after year. To get an overview of the procedure, check out the video from Road and Race. Detailed step-by-step instructions along with tools, parts, and exact specifications can be found below.
- Mechanic’s Tool Set
- Metric Hex Bit Socket Set, 3mm to 10mm
- 74mm 14 Flute Oil Filter Socket
- 3/8 Inch Drive Extension Set
- 3/8 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb.)
- RhinoGear Vehicle Ramp – Set of 2 (12,000lb. GVW Capacity)
- Wheel Chocks
- Oil Drain Pan, 16 Quarts Capacity
- Plastic Funnel, 16 oz.
- Disposable Gloves
- Safety Glasses
Oil drain plug: 37 ft-lbs
Oil filter cap: 19 ft-lbs
Engine oil capacity: 8.75 liters
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area.
- Starting with a cold engine, take your car for a 5 minute drive to warm up the transmission oil. This will help the oil drain more easily.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Gather parts and tools.
Step 2: Raise the rear of the vehicle
- If extra clearance is needed, raise the vehicle using either vehicle ramps or jack stands.
- Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
- To lift your vehicle on jack stands, check out this helpful video from the YouTube channel CarFanatic; while the video is for a 997, the procedure is the same on the 987.
Step 3: Drain the engine oil
- Start by opening the rear storage compartment and unscrewing the oil fill cap, which will help the engine oil drain more easily.
- Get under the car and place the drain pan under oil drain plug.
- Remove the oil drain plug using an 8mm hex socket and ratchet; be sure to grab it so it doesn’t fall into the drain pan.
- Let the oil drain for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Replace the engine oil filter
- While the oil is draining, use a 74mm oil filter socket, suitable length extension, and ratchet to remove the oil filter cap which is located just behind the oil pan toward the rear of the car.
- Replace the o-ring seal on the oil filter cap with a new one, which should be included with the new oil filter.
- Dab some new engine oil around the o-ring to help create a leak-free seal.
- Place the new oil filter into the oil filter cap.
- Fill the oil filter cap halfway with new oil; this will help lube the engine faster on initial start-up.
- Re-install the oil filter and cap; torque the oil filter cap to 19 ft-lbs.
Step 5: Re-install the oil drain plug
- After allowing the oil to drain, re-install the oil drain plug along with a brand new crush washer; if you do not use a new crush washer, the engine oil will likely leak.
- Tighten the oil drain plug with new crush washer to 37 ft-lbs using a torque wrench.
- Note: While Porsche recommends using a new oil drain plug, you can re-use your old one as long as it is in good condition and you use a new crush washer.
Step 6: Add new engine oil
- To prevent from overfilling your engine oil, start by adding 8 liters.
- Ensure there are no engine oil leaks.
- If you raised your vehicle, lower it back down so it sits level.
Step 7: Ensure the engine oil has been filled to the correct level
- Make sure your car is on a flat surface.
- After you added the initial amount of engine oil, give the oil a few minutes to settle in the engine.
- Next to the engine oil fill, locate the oil dipstick.
- Pull the dipstick out and wipe it with a clean paper towel.
- Re-insert the dipstick, then pull the dipstick back out.
- Check the engine level on the dipstick.
- The engine oil should be between the “min” and “max” levels.
- If the engine oil is low, add a 0.25 liters at a time and recheck the engine oil level.
Step 8: Collect all of your tools and clean up
Engine oil is damaging to the environment. Take your used engine oil to any local auto parts store to recycle it.
