How To: Change the oil on your Classic Mini!

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Changing the oil in your Classic Mini is easy to do, yet you'd be amazed how many people pay garages to do this.

To carry out the oil change yourself you will need the following:

A 5 litre container of new oil
A new oil filter
A large spanner
A screwdriver set
An oil filter removal tool or large flat-headed screwdriver
A funnel
A clean rag
An oil tray



STEP ONE:
Warm up Mini for 5 minutes. Park on level surface and shut engine off.

STEP TWO:
Using the large spanner, unscrew the oil drain plug on the side of the sump beneath the car. Make sure you place an oil tray underneath the car to catch the oil. When the oil is flowing out unscrew the oil filler cap on top of head for better flow.


TIP:
A Mini engine and gearbox will hold over 4 litres of oil. If the container you are using to catch the oil cannot hold this amount, replace the sump plug to stop the flow of oil while you empty the container.

STEP THREE:
While the oil is draining out of the engine, remove the front grill using your screwdriver set to gain access to the oil filter.


TIP:
You can pour some new oil through the oil filler on the head to "flush" some of the gunk out, not necessary but useful.

STEP FOUR:
Next screw the sump plug back in until tight, do not over tighten. It's tight enough if no oil drips out when you fill it back up.

STEP FIVE:
Remove oil filter. If you have a hard time, purchase an oil filter removable tool. With the old Mini oil filter removed, line the new filter and seal with some new oil to help condition it.

STEP SIX:
Screw the new Mini oil filter onto the engine making sure that your hands and the filter casing are not covered in oil, which can cause slippage and prevent a tight seal. Replace the front grill.

STEP SEVEN:
With the oil plug back in place and the new oil filter fitted, start pouring new oil into the top of the engine through the filler hole using the funnel, and let it settle. Keep topping up the oil until the dipstick level reads close to max.

STEP EIGHT:
Replace the oil filler cap and close the bonnet. Take the car for a short drive around the block and then park it up and allow the engine to cool down. Once the engine is cold you will find that the oil level has dropped. Remove the filler cap and top up the oil until the oil level reaches max.


ALL DONE!

You should find that your Classic Mini runs a lot better after an oil change. I could not believe the difference an oil change made to my Mini in both terms of performance and how smooth the engine ran.

It is worth giving your Mini a regular oil change. Check your oil level periodically, and if the oil on your dipstick starts looking a little black, it's time for another change.

-D. Flint