WITH A WARM ENGINE
Engine oil thins when warm, making it easier to drain, so go for a drive of several miles. On your return, provided that you have not done so already, you might have to remove the plastic undertray. This can be tricky on some models – note how it fits together. Drive-on ramps are a worthwhile investment for this. As you remove the undertray, retain the various clips and fasteners – be prepared to buy more, because they can break easily. Once the plastic cover is off, look for any fluid spills, oil leaks or old stains, all of which will give you a clue that all might not be well. An inspection torch is very useful for this. Opinions differ on whether, or not, it is a good idea to use an engine oil flush. They tend to be beneficial, especially for turbodiesel engines, if you know that oil changes have not been neglected in the past. Always follow the instructions, which usually require that the engine is run at a fast idle speed for 10 minutes.
After shutting down the engine, allow 10 minutes for the engine oil to gather in the sump. Locate the drain plug and unscrew it. You can buy tools that suck-out engine oil via the dipstick tube, which makes the task easier, but many technicians think that this method stops harmful contaminants from being extracted with the old oil.
Use a suitable receptacle that can accommodate the required quantity of oil (verify this from your workshop manual's specifications list). Once the plug is released, oil can flow from the sump surprisingly quickly. Be prepared: diesel oil, in particular, can stain driveways. Ensure that there is sufficient newspaper laid on the floor to soak up any spillages. Always wear latex/nitrile gloves.
There are several designs of oil filter. The spin-on type screws onto the engine block; if it has seized, you can buy an oil filter wrench that will aid with both gripping and turning the filter – only one design of which is pictured. Once loosened, unwind it several turns and wait for the oil inside to drain out into the engine (or drip down into your receptacle), prior to removing it completely.
To renew spin-on oil filters, insist on an Oe-quality replacement. Smear a thin layer of oil (old or new) around the top seal and wipe around its mounting point on the engine block. Screw the new filter onto the engine and tighten it using hand force only. Do not use tools.