Service 06 of 11
Engine oil service
An oil change to the specification the manufacturer approves for your engine — not to whatever is on the shelf. While the old oil drains we look at the filter and the magnetic plug, because swarf is often the first sign of a larger problem.
What counts is the approval on the can — the viscosity alone says little. The service is documented and entered in the service book.
Symptoms
How you know the oil needs attention
The interval is up
Distance or time, whichever comes first. Even on low mileage: oil ages while the car stands.
The oil level drops
Some consumption is normal on many sports engines. If it rises, we look for the cause rather than just topping up.
Oil spots, a burning smell
A leaking valve cover or shaft seal. Oil on a hot exhaust smells after a drive — have it looked at.
The red oil pressure light comes on
Switch the engine off at once and do not drive on, not even to a workshop. We will settle the transport with you.
Swarf on the magnetic plug
A fine grey film on the magnetic plug is normal; visible swarf is not. Then do not restart — ring us.
Not sure which oil it takes?
Model, year and engine code are usually enough for us to look up the approval before you arrive.
Send the details
Scope
What an oil service covers
Draining and refilling is the smallest part. What matters is the right approval — and a look at what comes out with the old oil.
- Engine oil to the manufacturer approval for your engine
- New oil filter, new sealing washer on the drain plug
- Filter and magnetic plug checked for swarf
- Engine and gearbox checked from underneath for leaks
- Filled to the specified capacity, level checked after a test run — on a dry sump, hot at idle
- Service display reset, where there is one
- Oil grade and approval documented, entry in the service book
Approvals
What the can has to say
Every manufacturer approves oil to its own standard. Which one applies to your engine depends on engine and year — for any other make we look it up the same way.
- Porsche
- A40 · C30 · C40 – A40 for the water-cooled flat-sixes; for the air-cooled 911 we look up the specification by year
- BMW
- Longlife-01 · Longlife-04 – Longlife-04 for diesels with a particulate filter, the N47 and N57 among them
- Mercedes-Benz
- MB 229.5 · 229.51 · 229.52 – 229.51 and 229.52 are low-ash, for engines with a particulate filter
- Audi
- VW 504 00 · 507 00 – 504 00 for petrol, 507 00 for diesel
Method
Four steps
- 01
Look up
Approval and capacity by engine and year, before the car goes up on the lift.
- 02
Change
Drain the old oil warm, new filter and washer, refill to approval.
- 03
Inspect
Filter and magnetic plug for swarf, the engine from underneath for leaks. Anything we find, we discuss with you first.
- 04
Handover
Level checked after a test run, service display reset, entry in the service book.
Questions about it
What people ask about oil changes
5W-30 is 5W-30 — why isn't the viscosity enough?
Viscosity only says how thin or thick the oil is when cold and when hot. The manufacturer approval says whether it has passed the tests for your engine — for a particulate filter, for long intervals, or for the seal materials fitted. Two oils of the same viscosity can be right and wrong for the same engine.
How often should the oil be changed?
As the manufacturer specifies: by distance or by time, whichever is reached first. If you do a lot of short trips or take the car on track, a shorter interval is usually the better choice. We will talk it through with you when the car is here.
What if you find swarf in the oil?
Then we tell you before the engine runs again. A fine grey film on the magnetic plug is normal; visible swarf means something inside the engine is wearing away — more with every kilometre. Where it comes from, we establish before anyone talks about the next drive.
Engine oil service
Oil to approval.
Not to whatever is on the shelf.
Related
Related services
- 09
Scheduled servicing
An oil change is part of every service — plus the rest of the schedule.
- 04
Engine repair
When oil consumption or a leak needs more than fresh oil.
- 01
Engine and gearbox rebuilds
Swarf in a flat-six's filter — then the diagnosis on the stripped engine decides.