V basic question

[Trick]

I need to do an oil change on my mk2 golf. Where is the sump plug?? NO im being serious i cant find it. Do i have to jack up the car to get to it? Can you give me a rough idea where it is when you open the bonnet and how to best undo it to allow the old oil out.

Cheers, Complete numpty here so go easy!

[...joe]

jack the car up at the front and stick some axle stands under it for safety. then lie on your back and slide under till you see the sump, which is a big roundish shaped thing at the bottom of the engine, in the middle and slightly to the rear is a 19mm bolt. ta da! sump plug! undo it (after getting the oil warm by running the engine for a bit) and catch it all in a big bowl or something similar. may as well do the filter while your at it which is the cylinder in front of the sump. should just unscrew my hand.

go to a german and swedish store (if you can) and get a genuine filter and synta silver oil. should cost about £16 for both and is better and more suitable than anything you'll get in halfords. (cheaper too!)

hope that wasn't too patronising but i assume you didn't have a clue!

[Trick]

Thank you Joe, that is a great help. One more dumb question, where is the best place to put the axle stands under the car? Front and rear please, i know i only need to put axle stands for the front to change the oil but for future reference.

Cheers.

[Agreeable Slick]

personally i put them on the jacking points, they are situated on either side of the car, just behind and in from the front arches. Cannot miss them, they are two rounded peices of metal that protrude from the underbody of the car.

[Trick]

Yep ok i remember the jacking points behind the front wheels but i dont remember mounting point at the rear. So where would you put axle stands at the rear?

[Agreeable Slick]

personally i put them on the axle itself, although sometimes not the best idea. I have never had a problem though.

[Mr Blue]

there are some jack/ axel points just behind the rear bumper. same round metal things right at the back corners

no harm in asking. you just saved yourself from paying a garage to do an oil change

[rubjonny]

The flat area in front of the rear wheels is the rear jacking point AFAIK