The Gateway DIY Repairs

Warm up the engine briefly, then safely elevate the car and secure it on ramps or jack stands.

Locate the oil pan drain plug, place the catch pan underneath, and carefully remove the plug to drain the old oil completely.

Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer, torqued to the manufacturer's spec.

Position the pan under the oil filter, unscrew the old filter, and confirm the old rubber gasket came off with it — a gasket left behind is the single most common cause of a leak after this job.

Lubricate the new filter's rubber seal with a dab of fresh oil, then spin it on hand-tight plus a quarter turn.

Fill the engine with the manufacturer-specified volume and viscosity of fresh oil via the oil cap, check the dipstick, run the engine briefly to check for leaks, and properly recycle the used oil at a collection center.

Roll down the window completely to keep the glass clear and out of harm's way.

Use a plastic trim tool to gently pry off the interior plastic triangular cover panel directly opposite the exterior mirror.

Carefully disconnect the electronic wire harness plug, if the mirror is power-adjustable or heated.

Support the exterior mirror assembly with one hand from the outside while using a socket wrench to remove the three retaining nuts from the inside.

Slide the old mirror housing out. Fit the new mirror assembly cleanly into place, hand-tighten the nuts to secure it, plug the wiring harness back in, test the power functionality, and snap the interior trim back down.

Pull the metal wiper arm up away from the glass until it locks into an upright, vertical position.

Locate the small plastic locking tab or lever where the rubber blade meets the metal arm.

Depress the tab and slide the blade downward, releasing it from the hook.

Slide the new wiper blade up into the arm hook until you hear a distinct "click" confirming the tab has locked. Lower the arm gently back onto the windshield.