2007-2013 Mini Cooper — Oil and Filter Change

1

Warm the engine and secure the car

Start the engine for two to three minutes so the oil thins and drains faster, then switch it off. Park on level ground, engage the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.

2

Raise the front and position the drain pan

Jack up the front of the Cooper and lower it securely onto jack stands placed at the factory jacking points. Slide the oil drain pan under the engine sump, centered on the drain plug.

3

Remove the drain plug and drain the oil

Using the 8mm Allen socket, loosen the oil drain plug at the bottom of the sump and finish removing it by hand. Wipe the plug clean and inspect its threads for damage.

4

Refit the drain plug with a new crush washer

Fit a new crush washer onto the drain plug; the old one compresses and will not seal twice. Thread the plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten it firmly with the Allen socket.

5

Open the oil filter housing

From above the engine bay, locate the black plastic oil filter housing cap on the 1.6L engine. Fit the 27mm socket and loosen the cap, then lift it out with the old cartridge filter attached.

6

Install the new filter cartridge and O-rings

Pull the old cartridge off the cap and press the new filter cartridge firmly into place. Replace the large O-ring on the cap and the small O-ring on the drain nipple, lightly coating them with fresh oil.

7

Reinstall the filter housing cap

Lower the cap with the new cartridge into the housing and thread it on by hand until it seats. Tighten it snugly with the 27mm socket without over-torquing the plastic.

8

Refill with fresh engine oil

Lower the car back to level ground and remove the oil filler cap on the valve cover. Using the funnel, pour in fresh full-synthetic 5W-30 oil, starting with about four quarts.

9

Check the level and top off

Wait a minute for the oil to settle, then pull the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it fully, and read the level. Add small amounts until the level sits at the full mark without going over.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

I add oil in small amounts to the full mark — I've overshot before and had to drain fresh oil out, which is the most annoying kind of waste.

10

Reset the oil service indicator

With the engine off but the ignition on, use the trip/BC button on the turn-signal stalk to scroll to the oil service menu. Hold the button to enter reset mode and confirm, which clears the service reminder.