You can easily save over a hundred dollars a year changing your own oil. Also, when you do it yourself, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right, with the right materials.

Here are the tools you will need:

- a 3/8-drive socket set (metric will work for both)

- a combination wrench set (closed- and open-ended, metric)

- an oil filter wrench

- something to catch the old oil -- an oil pan, an old bucket, etc.

- 2 or 3 one gallon milk containers with screw-on lids

- a funnel - a one quart Ziploc baggie

- a lot of old newspapers

- several dirty rags

- work clothes

- a new oil filter (see vehicle's owner's manual for requirements)

- enough oil to refill the engine (check back page of owner's manual for grade and number of quarts.)

STEP ONE - Drive your car around for a few minutes to heat the oil, and make it thin enough, tol drain more completely from the engine block. Find a flat spot on your driveway, and park.

STEP TWO - Turn off the engine, put the car in gear, and set the parking brake. Block the tires with bricks, rocks, or wood. Jack up the car if you need to, slide under, and locate the oil drain plug.

It will be the closest thing to the ground, a large nut with a slim washer under it. Sometimes it will be labeled. Find the right socket for the nut.

STEP THREE - Turn the nut counter-clockwise. Loosen, but don't remove it.

STEP FOUR - Spread newspaper under the car. Slide the drain pan under the drain plug. Loosen the plug and put it aside. The oil will drain in about two minutes.

STEP FIVE - Slip the oil filter wrench onto the socket wrench. You'll probably have to use the short extension. Set the oil filter wrench up to grab counterclockwise. Slip it over the oil filter and pull. Carefully, remove it all the way and pour the contents into the drain pan. Put the used oil filter, right-side-up, on the newspaper.

STEP SIX - Get out, open the hood, and remove the oil filler cap. S

STEP SEVEN - Before you thread the new oil filter in place, dip your finger into the drain pan, and coat the rubber gasket on the bottom of the filter with oil. This will help it seal better against the engine block. Use a rag to wipe off the round metal circle on the engine, where the oil filter goes, then thread the new filter onto the post. Tighten it by hand, if you can, (it takes about a half to three=quarters of a turn, not more: read the instructions on the filter), or use the oil filter wrench over on the socket wrench and tighten it that way.

STEP EIGHT - Put the washer in place and thread the drain plug back into its spot. Make it tight, but not so tight you can't get it off next time. Now, using the funnel, pour the old oil into the milk bottles. Then, wipe the funnel out with a rag.

STEP NINE - Put the funnel into the oil filler hole and pour in as many quarts of oil as the manufacturer recommends. Once the oil is in, twist the cap back on, and check the oil level with the dipstick.

STEP TEN - Start the engine and let it idle for about five minutes. Check for leaks. That's it.

Important note: The EPA now levies a huge fine for improper, or illegal oil disposal. Find a local oil place that will accept your dirty oil.