How to Change the Oil in Your Car

Oil changes are not impossible for you to do on your own. If you are handy, don’t mind getting dirty, and like a challenge, changing your oil can be kind of fun and will save you money. Here is a quick set of instructions for people who’d like to change their own oil. You should also read any instructions in your owner’s manual for more details about your model of car.

Tools and Equipment:

 – Oil drain pan
– Jack (if you want to raise your car off the ground to get under it)
– Box end or socket wrench to remove the drain plug
– Oil filter wrench
–  Gloves (latex)
–  Fresh oil and oil filter
–  If necessary, a new drain plug washer

Changing the Oil

If you don’t have the clearance under your car, you’ll need to jack up the car or drive it onto ramps. The basic instructions are that you’re going to take off the oil drain plug using the wrench and drain the old oil into a pan. This can be pretty exciting and plenty of people have gotten a face full of oil by being overly enthusiastic. Figure out where the oil is going to pour and have a big enough drain pan so you can allow all the oil to flow into it. Make sure to dispose of the oil properly. Most likely, this means bottling it and bringing it to a local mechanic that accepts old oil.

You’ll also remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. Depending on the model of car, this can be very easy. But be sure to do it after you drain the oil.

Close things up again and pour the fresh oil into the oil drum from above, just like you would if you were adding oil to the engine. Use the kind of oil recommended for your car. You’ll probably need five or six bottles.