You'll need a jack (the one that comes with your car or truck works), two jackstands, hand tools, oil and an oil filter. You'll also need a drain pan to catch the oil that comes out. Gloves come in handy so your hands don't get gunked up.
If you have a car or low truck, you'll need to pick the front end off the ground. Never get under a car that's supported by a jack, so you'll need to put it on the jackstands. Make sure the engine has cooled so you don't get burned by hot oil.
Look under the car for the oil pan. It'll be directly under the engine (and not on the transmission) with a hex head bolt for the drain. Slide your drain pan under the bolt and remove it to let the oil out. Remove the filler cap to let the oil drain faster.
While the oil is draining, locate the oil filter and remove it. Some oil will come out from the oil filter mount as well, so make sure to catch it in the drain pan. Rub a bit of oil with your finger on the new oil filter's rubber gasket to make sure it seals nicely, then screw the new filter on.
If your car has a weirdly shaped oil pan or you had to put the car up at an angle to reach the drain bolt, you may have to return the car to the ground to let the oil completely drain. Make sure not to crush the drain pan like I did the first time I changed my own oil.
Once the oil has finished draining, replace the oil drain bolt and begin pouring oil in the engine. Return the car to the ground for this to make sure you get an accurate reading on the oil level in the next step. If you returned the car to the ground earlier, you may be able to reach the drain plug with it on the ground. Make sure not to over-tighten the drain bolt, or you may strip it. Hand tight is good enough. If you have a new gasket for the drain bolt, replace the gasket before replacing the bolt.
After you've poured 3 or 4 quarts into the oil filler, remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and replace it. Remove it again and check the oil level. Keep adding oil until the level on the stick reads that the engine has ample oil.
Start the engine and let it run for about 30 seconds (making sure you don't see any leaks!). Recheck the oil level and add oil as necessary, as some of it will be pulled from the pan into the oiling system and the engine will need topping off to make sure it has a good supply of oil.
After this, you're done! You can dispose of waste oil at your local auto parts store.
How To Change Your Own Oil
It's that time of year again. You're in your car and you happen to glance up at that little Jiffy Lube sticky on the top in the upper corner of your windshield. ?I was supposed to change my oil when?!? You immediately panic when you realize your oil change is five months and two thousand miles ago overdue (which ever came first).
As long as you actually have enough oil in your engine you aren't in horrible shape. If you had a leak or were low on oil, then you would have a problem. Your engine is comprised of metal parts that are constantly moving. The oil servers as a lubricant and is the blood of the engine. It is vital. Never drive without oil.
I just want to stress that oil is everything to your engine. Not regularly changing your vehicle's oil will drastically shorten the life of your engine.
You should really consider having it done by a service. For not much more than you will pay for a new oil filter and 5 or 6 quarts of oil you can have the oil changed professionally. You also need to take the old oil to a mechanic or auto shop for disposal anyway. It can also be a messy procedure. Professionals can do oil changes with their eyes closed. It will take 20 minutes and cost a few bucks more. But, if you insist on doing it yourself, read on.
Before you start, gather the necessary tools and supplies. You will need the following: a new oil filter, 5 or 6 quarts of the recommended oil (check your car's manual), an oil filter wrench, a socket set, rags and an oil pan or old bucket to catch the old oil.
You will also want to warm the engine up taking your car on a short drive around the block. Warning?you only want to warm up the engine to loosen up the oil. Warm oil drains better, but hot oil is flat out dangerous!
Now position the drain pan directly underneath the oil pan's drain plug. Using the socket wrench, loosen and remove the oil pan plug, allowing the oil to drain freely. Be careful of hot oil and try not to drop the plug into the pan. This is what you might want to wear old clothes. Watch for splattered oil'it stains.
After all the oil has drained, remove the oil filter from the vehicle using an oil filter wrench. Set the old filter to the side and clean off the filter's mounting surface with a clean rag. You can now take the new filter and apply a thin coating of oil to the gasket. Attach it to the vehicle and tighten according to the directions on the package (usually hand tight).
Finally reinstall the oil pan plug, pop the hood and fill the engine with the amount of oil specified by your manufacturer. Be careful not to over pour. The new oil will likely take a little time to travel down into the engine. So if the oil level on your dipstick looks low, give it a second and add a very little bit. Too much oil will require you to repeat the whole process.
That's it, you are done. Now just clean up your mess and properly dispose of your used oil and filter. Your local mechanic should be able to guide you on where you can get rid of it.
If you want to save money, look for coupons. If you're having doubt about your skills learned in auto shop, then you might as well take it in to a professional. Good luck!
Both Raymond Edwards & Mike Rosania are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Raymond Edwards has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Web Development and Computers and The Internet. If you like reading car guides and own a honda, take a look at this or this. Raymond Edwards's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Mike Rosania has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Trucks and Cars. I can understand why you gear heads prefer swapping your own . I once had a mechanic charge me $150 to install a performance. Mike Rosania's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
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