DIY Oil Change on a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta

by Justin Wash

The 2007 Volkswagen Jetta uses 10W-30 engine oil to lubricate the innards of the engine. This keeps your car running smoothly and efficiently by reducing friction in the engine, but old oil (or no oil!) will not do its job properly, leading to engine and drive problems up to and including engine failure. Your oil should be changed every 5,000 miles, but you can save time and money by performing this oil change yourself rather than taking the Jetta to a mechanic.

Step 1

Park your Jetta on a level surface. If parked on a hill or slant, you will get an inaccurate reading from the oil level gauge, leading to an incorrect amount of oil being added.

Step 2

Open the hood of the Jetta and locate the dipstick and oil filler cap. Both should be locate near the right side of the engine compartment and are clearly marked with an engine oil symbol. Remove the oil filler cap.

Step 3

Underneath the car, locate the oil drain bolt on the left side of the oil pan beneath the engine, and the oil filter attached to the engine block in the same vicinity. Place a drain pan beneath the oil drain bolt and remove it using a socket wrench. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench or a crescent wrench.

Step 4

Remove the drain pan from beneath the Jetta when it has finished draining. Use a socket wrench to replace the oil drain bolt tightly. Lubricate the rubber gasket of a new oil filter with a small amount of engine oil, then tighten the the filter in place.

Step 5

Add five quarts of 10W-30 engine oil to the engine through the open filler cap on top of the engine. Replace the filler cap and start the Jetta. Allow the car to idle for five to ten minutes, then turn off the car and check the oil level using the dipstick. If the oil level is too low, add oil until it meets the recommended dipstick measurement.

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