Oil Change

Replace engine oil and oil filter on a 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0L W12 Twin Turbo, including underbody panel removal and proper disposal of used fluids.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil filter cartridge × 1 — Use OEM specification (Bentley part number or VW/Audi equivalent)
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil filter housing O-rings (if applicable) × 1 — Verify if included with filter or separate

Fluids

• 0W-40 synthetic engine oil — 13.2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated (minimum 60 minutes)
3. Raise vehicle on lift or using jack and support on manufacturer-approved jack stand locations
4. Verify you have 13.2 quarts of VW 502.00/505.00 approved 0W-40 synthetic oil available
5. Position oil drain pan beneath engine sump area

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Front Underbody Panels
   Locate and remove the front underbody panels to access the oil drain plug and filter housing. Remove the Torx fasteners securing the front undertray sections. The center section directly below the engine contains the service access area. Note that some fasteners may use quarter-turn dzus-style clips in addition to Torx screws. Carefully lower the panels and set aside.
2. 2

   Locate Oil Drain Plug and Filter Housing
   The oil drain plug is located on the bottom of the aluminum oil sump, toward the rear of the engine. The oil filter housing is a top-mounted cartridge-style housing; verify its exact location against Bentley service documentation (commonly accessible from above rather than from below). The oil filter housing location and access point (top-mounted versus accessible from below) must be verified against factory documentation for the 6.0L W12, as many VW/Audi W12 applications use a top-accessible cartridge filter housing. Confirm accessibility before proceeding. Confirm both components are accessible before proceeding. Position the drain pan directly beneath the drain plug.
3. 3

   Drain Engine Oil
   Using the appropriate socket, loosen the oil drain plug slowly. Once loose, quickly remove it by hand while keeping pressure inward to prevent oil from spilling prematurely. Allow oil to drain completely into the drain pan. This will take 8-10 minutes for the full oil charge to evacuate (verify total capacity against factory specification before filling). Inspect the old crush washer on the drain plug and discard it.
   ⚠Oil may drain with force initially. Keep hands clear of the stream to avoid hot oil contact.
4. 4

   Remove Oil Filter
   While oil continues draining, reposition the drain pan beneath the oil filter housing. The W12 uses a cartridge-style filter inside a housing cap. Using the correct filter cap socket (verify exact size against factory documentation — commonly a 32mm hex on VW/Audi cartridge housings) or an adjustable strap wrench, turn the filter housing cap counterclockwise to remove it. Oil will drain from the housing as the cap is removed. Extract the old filter cartridge and O-rings from the housing. Inspect the housing for debris or metal particles.
5. 5

   Clean Filter Housing and Install New Filter
   Thoroughly clean the filter housing bore and sealing surfaces with a lint-free shop towel. Install new O-rings onto the filter housing cap if they are separate from the filter cartridge (some cartridges include integrated seals). Insert the new filter cartridge into the housing, ensuring it seats properly in the base. Lightly lubricate the O-rings with clean engine oil before installation.
6. 6

   Install Filter Housing Cap
   Thread the filter housing cap into the housing by hand until it contacts the O-ring seal. Using the torque wrench and appropriate socket, tighten the cap to the specified torque value. Do not over-tighten, as this can damage the aluminum housing threads.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filter Housing Cap25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Install Oil Drain Plug
   Once oil has completely drained from the sump, clean the drain plug threads and sump opening with a shop towel. Install the new crush washer onto the drain plug. Thread the drain plug into the sump by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Using a torque wrench, tighten the drain plug to the specified torque value.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall Underbody Panels
   Reinstall the front underbody panels in reverse order of removal. Ensure all Torx fasteners and any quarter-turn clips are properly seated and tightened. Verify no tools or parts have been left in the underbody area.
9. 9

   Fill Engine with Oil
   Lower the vehicle to the ground. Open the hood and locate the oil filler cap on the driver's side valve cover. Remove the cap and insert a funnel. Verify total oil capacity against Bentley service documentation before filling. Add oil to roughly 1 quart below the documented capacity initially, then pause to allow oil to settle into the sump. Add the remaining oil in 0.5 quart increments while checking the dipstick level. Dipstick reading takes precedence over total volume added.
   ⚠Do not overfill. Add oil slowly and check frequently with the dipstick once you approach 12.5 quarts total.
10. 10

    Start Engine and Check for Leaks
    Install the oil filler cap. Start the engine and allow it to idle for 30-60 seconds. Observe the oil pressure warning light on the instrument cluster—it should extinguish within 2-3 seconds of starting. While the engine idles, inspect beneath the vehicle for any oil leaks at the drain plug and filter housing. Shut off the engine.
11. 11

    Final Oil Level Check and Top-Off
    Wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back into the sump. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove and check the oil level. The level should be between the MIN and MAX marks, ideally near MAX. Add oil in small increments if needed to bring the level to the proper range. Do not exceed the MAX mark.
12. 12

    Reset Oil Service Indicator
    Reset the oil service indicator per Bentley's documented procedure (this may require the instrument cluster button sequence with ignition on, or a diagnostic scan tool such as VAS/ODIS). Verify the exact reset procedure against Bentley service documentation, then confirm the reset is complete and the system displays the full service interval remaining. The service reset may require the vehicle's menu navigation or a diagnostic tool (VCDS/ODIS); verify the correct reset procedure for the 2018 Continental GT against factory documentation.

Reassembly

1. Underbody panels reinstall in reverse order of removal
2. Ensure all fasteners are properly secured to prevent panel vibration or detachment
3. Dispose of used oil and filter at an appropriate recycling facility

Verification

• Start engine and verify oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds
• Check for oil leaks at drain plug and filter housing with engine idling
• Verify oil level is between MIN and MAX marks on dipstick after engine has been run and allowed to settle
• Confirm oil service indicator has been properly reset in vehicle computer
• Test drive vehicle briefly and re-check for leaks and proper oil level after cooldown