Oil Change and Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement

5 minute read

Vehicle: 2010 VW CC

Parts Needed:

5 Quarts of 5W40
Oil filter

Oil Pressure Sender Switch (optional)

Tools Needed:

Pan to catch the used oil

Paper towels

Oil Filter Wrench

T40 Torx bit and driver

Floor jack and jack-stands (or lift if you are lucky)

Wheel chocks 

24mm Socket and ratchet (only needed for replacing switch, not for oil change)

Difficulty: Easy, 20-40 minutes

Here is a DIY for changing your oil. The oil pressure sender/switch was also bad so I replaced it at the same time. 

Step 1:

Safely jack up your car. Do it on a level surface. Chock both back wheels. Put the car in park or in gear, use the e-brake.  Lower the car on jack stands. I usually leave the jack there too as insurance in case one of the jack stands fails. Sometimes I'll use extra jack stands if I'm feeling paranoid. Nothing wrong with being safe. 

Step 2:

Open the oil fill cap on top of the engine. The engine cover is off in the photo below but it isn't necessary for this procedure. 

Step 3:

It is best to let your engine cool down before this part, as you can easily burn your hands with the hot oil. 

Place the oil catch pan below the drain plug under the engine. The oil will arc out a bit from the drain so make sure the pan is in position to catch it. 

Use the T40 torx driver to slowly remove the plug. It is easy to drop it in the pan and get splashed so take care. Other versions of this engine use a 19mm socket for the drain plug. 

Step 4:

Remove the oil filter from the top of the engine. Have some paper towel ready to catch any drips. Sometimes you can undo it by hand but an oil filter wrench is handy. Wipe the surface on the engine that the oil filter mates to. 

Use your finger or a paper towel to wipe some fresh oil on the seal of the new oil filter and screw it on tightly.

Step 4a (for the oil pressure sender replacement):

The oil sender went bad in my car so this was a good time to replace it. The switch is under the oil filter.  Unplug the wire and it comes off with a 24mm deep-well socket. Just remove and replace with the new part. 

Step 5:

After all the oil has drained, reinstall the oil drain plug. Don't forget unless you want to pour your new oil onto your driveway :)

When the drain plug is tight and the new filter is on you can pour in the oil. 

Step 6:

Screw in the oil fill cap on the top of the engine. Remove the oil catch pan and start the engine. Let idle for 30 seconds or so, then turn off and check  the oil level with the dipstick, also check under the engine and make sure it isn't leaking around the drain plug. 

Lower the car and you are done!

Make sure you properly dispose of the oil and record your mileage so you remember to do the next one at the right interval.