The oil change warning/nag underneath the mileage counter has just come on. It's currently at 90k miles, I have owned the car since 80k. Is an oil change on this car something worth paying for or is it relatively easy DIY? I've done it myself (including oil filter change) once before on an old Corsa which I found mildly annoying but definitely doable. How would that compare in difficulty?

Can't say I have ever done an oil change on a Corsa or any Vauxhall for that matter, but I would say a Fabia oil change is easy.

The hardest/ most complex part is tightening the sump plug enough to squash the (BUY A NEW ONE) washer and form a right seal, but not tightening it too much and threading the sump (alloy so easier to do than you'd think).

Oh and make sure you have the correct size socket for the oil filter housing, it is quite big.

JRJG

Where a bouts are you in the world?

If by the off chance you're nearby I'd be happy to give you a hand if needs be.

JRJG

Thanks, I'm not near Preston though. Does the oil change warning reset itself when doing this?

To reset the light:

 

SWITCH OFF IGNITION

PRESS AND HOLD TRIP BUTTON

SWITCH IGNITION ON

WAIT FOR 10 SECONDS  UNTIL ---- APPEARS

SWITCH OFF IGNITION

RELEASE TRIP BUTTON

Thanks, I'm not near Preston though. Does the oil change warning reset itself when doing this?

 

No, you reset it using the trip button.

 

Which engine does the car have?

SIL did mine recently. BUT you will find a set of car ramps ( to lift front end ) to make getting the undertray off a lot easier - it's held on with star nuts. Sump plugs are approx 19mm ( at least on mine) hex nuts- NOT as you'd expect a star fitting.- anything with a ( very large hex insert - size Wino), is gearbox- AVOID. I remember a Techie gent mentioning that it makes life a lot cleaner if you drain sump first and then remove filter.( Mine was held on with a 36mm NUT- I used a 36 mm socket).

Sump Torque on engines I looked at was 22lb/ft (30 NM?) .

Don't forget to replace the O ring at the top of the filter bowl.

And most motor factors carry a sump plug + washer for about £3 . I got my filter from car parts for less - keep an eye open for weekend specials and you might get oil/filter + sump plug for not a lot. For 505.01- Asda do 5litre @ £20 .

but oil depends on engine.

Edited 17 January, 20179 yr by VWD

As what people have said above. It's very easy to do. If it's a diesel then I beleive you need a 32mm socket of the oil filter. And if the cars on standard suspension and you slim enough you can get the under tray off without jacking the car up.