How difficult is it to change a car oil filter?

[anotherlife]

I lost a bet and now I have to change the oil filter in my gf's car. I understand it is not like just an oil top up. Do you have to go under the car for that? Do you also have to let out all the old oil? And how do I figure out which unit is the oil filter? Is it marked up with yellow oil symbols, like the top of the engine where the top up is? How would you do this work?

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

 

[anotherlife]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

 

[there4eyeM]

Yes, it depends entirely on the car. In some cases, it is about the simplest thing you can imagine, in others, you almost have to move the engine!

 

[there4eyeM]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

Need to know more than that; which model, engine and year?

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

i have not done an audi

but i believe you will need a special oil filter wrench

plus you will have to put the car on ramps

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

Need to know more than that; which model, engine and year?

true

 

[there4eyeM]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

i have not done an audi

but i believe you will need a special oil filter wrench

plus you will have to put the car on ramps

Yes! VERY IMPORTANT!!
In many cases (perhaps most), it is necessary to raise the car and get under it to change the oil. DO NOT DO THIS with the car only supported by a jack! Be very certain the car is solidly, stably held in place. Otherwise, do not proceed!

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

i have not done an audi

but i believe you will need a special oil filter wrench

plus you will have to put the car on ramps

Yes! VERY IMPORTANT!!
In many cases (perhaps most), it is necessary to raise the car and get under it to change the oil. DO NOT DO THIS with the car only supported by a jack! Be very certain the car is solidly, stably held in place. Otherwise, do not proceed!

yes that is very important

safety first

 

[Dot Com]

working on expensive cars w/o a haynes (for example) service manual can get you in deep $$$ probs kid

why did you offer to do something you know nothing about?

 

[Mr Natural]

My BMW I can do in under half an hour.

I take the Camry to the shop because it's a huge pain in the ass.

 

[Divine Wind]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

You can learn most things on youtube. Google it. Include make, model and year of the vehicle. Make sure you have the proper tools, oil and filter on hand plus a container to drain the oil.

Examples: Audi A4 B7 2.0T Oil Change | Europa Parts Blog



Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

You can learn most things on youtube. Google it. Include make, model and year of the vehicle. Make sure you have the proper tools, oil and filter on hand plus a container to drain the oil.

Examples: Audi A4 B7 2.0T Oil Change | Europa Parts Blog



Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

probably the cheapest way too

if you are starting out square one

without any tools for the job

 

[Divine Wind]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

You can learn most things on youtube. Google it. Include make, model and year of the vehicle. Make sure you have the proper tools, oil and filter on hand plus a container to drain the oil.

Examples: Audi A4 B7 2.0T Oil Change | Europa Parts Blog



Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

probably the cheapest way too

if you are starting out square one

without any tools for the job

Agreed. OTOH, if it's something a person has the time and place to do it, buying the tools pays for itself in 1-2 oil changes. I've done the same with projects around the house.

 

[Mr Natural]

Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

I wouldn't let those hacks anywhere near my car.

 

[jon_berzerk]

depends on the vehicle

Hers is an Audi.

You can learn most things on youtube. Google it. Include make, model and year of the vehicle. Make sure you have the proper tools, oil and filter on hand plus a container to drain the oil.

Examples: Audi A4 B7 2.0T Oil Change | Europa Parts Blog



Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

probably the cheapest way too

if you are starting out square one

without any tools for the job

Agreed. OTOH, if it's something a person has the time and place to do it, buying the tools pays for itself in 1-2 oil changes. I've done the same with projects around the house.

yes if the plan is to keep doing it

i do it all at home

down to re sharping the mower blades

but then i have spent numerous years acquiring my tool collection

 

[Divine Wind]

Easiest way? Pay $40 to Walmart or Jiffy-Lube.

I wouldn't let those hacks anywhere near my car.

It's an oil change, not a rebuild.

Still, it's always good to post-check any mechanic's work; check the oil to make sure it's clean (golden), start it, make sure oil light is off or oil gauge reads normal then look underneath for leaks. It doesn't hurt to watch them put in the requested oil type either.

Still, it's always better to do it yourself if able.

 

[jon_berzerk]

i did have walmart

put a set of new tires on the ford

they managed to get three of the fours tires on securely

 

[Divine Wind]

i did have walmart

put a set of new tires on the ford

they managed to get three of the fours tires on securely

Again, always good to check any mechanic's work.

That applies to oneself too.

 

[jon_berzerk]

i did have walmart

put a set of new tires on the ford

they managed to get three of the fours tires on securely

Again, always good to check any mechanic's work.

That applies to oneself too.

yes of course

i dont use their services either

after that

they tried to deny it at first

we are talking minutes after i picked up the truck

two blocks from the store