Changing The Oil

There are things that you need to take your car to the mechanic for and there are things that you can fix yourself at home. Why spend more money than you need to?

 

Materials Needed:

• Wrench to remove drain plug (box end or socket)
• Oil Filter Wrench
• Oil drain pan
• Funnel
• Latex gloves (If you're scared to get a little oily)
• Jack and jack stands or ramps (optional, depends on ground clearance)
• Oil (Best for your car)
• Oil filter
• Replacement drain plug washer (depending on application)
• Old rag
  
                                                          Photo by: Maria Avila

Before you go out and buy any supplies check the owners manual of the vehicle to confirm the type of oil you should purchase and how much oil your vehicle needs.
There are a lot of options to the different kinds of oil you can buy, if you're having trouble deciding which is best for car ask a sales associate. Usually they have a lot of knowledge about these kinds of things.

Before you get started, let your car run a little bit. It's best to change the oil while it's warm.

Step 1:
Raise your car using a jack, jack stand, or ramps for better access.

Step 2:
Locate the oil filter and drain plug. A majority of cars have a bottom-mount screw-on filter.

Step 3:
It's time to drain the oil out of the engine. It's important to place the drain pan under the drain plug but not directly under it because the oil comes out at an angle. Remove the oil filler cap, removing this helps the oil drain more smoothly and faster from under the car and into the oil drain pan. Remove the drain plug with a common end wrench. The hex end on a typical drain plug is almost always a common size that comes in a standard tool assortment. A three-eighth-inch drive ratchet is perfectly fine. (Try not to over-tighten the drain plug when you put it back later.)

Step 4:
Inspect and clean the oil drain plug while the oil is draining. This is where the new drain plug washer would go if you needed one. Make sure the old one isn't stuck to the engine's oil pan.

Step 5:
Once the oil has finished draining and you've inspected the oil drain plug, screw the drain plug back in. You want it tight but you don't want to strip it either.

Step 6:
Remove the oil filter but remove it slowly. Hold the filter over the oil pan and drain it. Make sure to remove the old filter's O-ring if it gets stuck to the surface. Clean the surface with an old rag, remove as much oil as possible.

Step 7:
Smear new oil on the new oil filter's O-ring. Apply new filter, you should only have to turn it three-quarters of the way. Otherwise it may be too tight when you need to remove it the next time around.

Photo by: Maria Avila

Step 8:
Add the new oil once the new oil filter is secure along with the oil drain plug. Add the new oil using a funnel. Once you add the correct amount of oil, apply the oil filler cap.

Step 9:
Start your engine and run it for at least a minute for the new oil to circulate. Check for any leaks you may have.

Step 10:
Lower your car off the jack, jack stand, or ramps that you used. Check your oil levels now that the car isn't lifted. The level is full when the oil comes up to the upper hole or hash mark.


You're all done! Properly dispose of the old oil and filter, most auto parts stores that sell oil will take your waste oil at no charge. If yours won't, there are household hazardous waste drop-off points.