you can change your car's motor oil

by Juan Uflerbaumer


Change your car's oil yourself

Changing your car's oil yourself is a lot easier than you think, and you can save money, but remember, safety always comes first when it comes to automotive maintenance. Whether you are a first timer or experienced, this is a step-by-step guide to show you the safest and most efficient way to do this simple task!

You will need about 5 quarts of motor oil. (the proper SAE viscosity, API performance and quantity required for your engine as well as filter specs can be found in your owner's manual)

A new oil filter. Cars use a "spin-on" oil filter, it comes in various shapes and sizes.

A drain plug socket wrench or open-end wrench (exact size) and an oil filter wrench.

A large drain pan and a rag.

Change your motor oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. This strategy will give superior engine protection and longer engine life. (Check your owner's manual for special conditions and do not exceed warranty recommendations.)

Never use a bumper jack to hold your vehicle up because it is too unstable. Wheel ramps are ideal and much safer. Wheel ramps will tilt the car just enough to allow you to slide underneath. After making sure that you are on level ground, drive your vehicle up onto the wheel ramps so that the front tires are elevated. Set your emergency brake and brace both rear wheels with wooden blocks. Put your vehicle in park if you have an automatic transmission and in first gear if you have a manual transmission. If the oil is cold will not drain properly so idle your engine for about 5-10 minutes to bring it to normal operating temperature (never start your engine without oil). Then switch off the engine and raise the hood to locate and loosen the oil sump cap, this will allow the oil to drain from the bottom more freely.

Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of your vehicle. It should be located at the bottom rear end of the engine sump or oil pan.

Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug and slightly toward the back. Turn the plug counterclockwise using your wrench until it rotates freely. Finish removing the plug by hand. Be careful of the oil since it may release rapidly and is likely to be rather hot.

After that, loosen the oil filter - may be warm - turning it counterclockwise with a filter wrench. Complete the removal by hand, taking care not touch the hot exhaust manifold. The oil filter may feel slightly heavy because is filled with oil, so carefully ease it down and away from the engine and tip its contents into the drain pan.

Take your rag and wipe in and around the filter seat on the engine. Then take a new filter and use your finger to apply a light film of oil (new or used) to the gasket (the circular edge of the filter itself). This film will act as a sealant. Carefully screw the new filter onto the threaded oil line, turning it clockwise. Once aligned properly, the filter will thread on easily. Tighten the filter by hand, taking care not to overtighten. Clean the oil plug and drain set and then align and replace the plug. Screw the plug in by hand and finish by tightening it with a wrench. Take care to not overtighten.

On the top of the engine you will find a cap that says "Oil." Unscrew the cap and proceed to fill the engine with the required quantity of oil, checking with the dipstick to assure proper fill level. Then replace the cap and wipe off any spillage. The oil light should go out as soon as the engine is started. Run the engine for several minutes, then switch it off and check the dipstick once again to assure proper oil level. Last, but not least, check under the vehicle for leaks.