How to Change Your Oil

Guide Note

Learning how to change your oil is easy and a great money saver. You don't need to be a car expert to do it; with a little patience, elbow grease and persistence, anyone can get the job done.

Table of Contents

Changing Your Oil Tips

  1. Never use your car jack to support the car when changing the oil.
  2. Changing your own oil can save you approximately $100 a year.
  3. Used oil must be disposed of properly and can be recycled.
  4. Two gallons of used oil can power the average house for 24 hours.

Introduction

  • If you drive a car, you've probably heard that you're supposed to change the oil every 3,000 miles or so. While the exact number can vary depending on your vehicle or driving situation, the fact is that you will need to change it every once in a while to keep your ride running smoothly.1 While many folks opt to swing by the local Jiffy Lube, the more mechanically inclined can do the job themselves via a relatively painless process. You could even save yourself around $100 per year by taking it into your own hands.2

What You'll Need

  • This list of what you will need to change your oil is divided into two parts. The first part consists of items you most likely already have around your house. The second list are things you will need to purchase.
  1. Old clothes (it's a dirty job)
  2. A 3/8-drive socket set or a combination wrench set
  3. Two or three empty one gallon milk containers with lids
  4. One quart plastic bag
  5. Newspaper
  6. Several rags
  7. A pair surgical gloves or latex gloves
  8. Eye protection (safety glasses/goggles)
  9. Your car's owner's manual (not essential but helpful)

What You'll Need to Purchase

(Creative Commons photo by Eric Schmuttenmaer)
(Creative Commons photo by Eric Schmuttenmaer)
  • If you have never changed your oil before, you most likely do not have the following items around your house. Asking the helpful folks at your local reputable auto store is the easiest method of obtaining them. Your car's owner's manual should tell you what type of oil to use. The good news is that, except for the oil and the oil filter, these will be one-time only purchases.
  1. Oil filter wrench
  2. An oil funnel
  3. A drain pan large enough to hold six quarts
  4. Oil (approximately six quarts)
  5. Oil filter
  6. Jack stands (not a tire-changing jack) or car ramp (optional)
    • You will only need jack stands or car ramps if there is not enough room underneath your car for you to slip under it. Such equipment can cost as little as $20.3

Step 1: Preparation

  • The key to any project's success is preparation. By ensuring that everything is in place and ready for you, you will be saving yourself from future headaches.
  1. Change into your work clothes.
  2. Set out everything that you will need.
  3. Double check this list. Discovering that you are missing an essential item after you've drained the oil from your car is not good.
  4. Take a quick spin around the neighborhood or allow your car to run for a few minutes until the temperature gauge begins to register.2 This will help warm up the oil and make it drain easier.

Step 2: Park and Elevate Your Car

  • Once you have warmed up your car, you need to get it into position so you can start the oil change. Here is how you do it:
  1. Park your car on a flat surface.
  2. Turn off the car.
  3. Set the parking brake.
  4. Pop the hood.
  5. Block your tires with several bricks or large rocks.
  6. Jack up the car (if desired). Be absolutely sure the vehicle is secure before you go underneath it.

Step 3: Draining the Oil

  • First, you will need to locate several things on your car. You are simply locating at this point, not removing. The three things you need to locate on your car include:
  1. the oil fill cap where you will add the oil (under the hood).
  2. the oil drain plug (under the car). This is usually near the front center of the car. Make sure that you have the right size wrench to fit this plug, but do not remove it.
  3. the oil filter assembly (under the hood). These can be tricky to locate as there is no standard, but they are usually on the side of the engine.4 3 Look at the new oil filter to help guide you on what to look for.
  • If you cannot find any of these, consult the owner's manual or call your car dealer's service shop. Make sure that you located the oil drain plug and not the transmission drain plug. The transmission drain plug is usually larger and will not be as hot as the engine oil plug.2
  1. Lay newspaper or cardboard underneath the drain plug and oil filter. This will protect the driveway from oil spills and make for a quick clean up.
  2. Remove the oil fill cap and set it aside.
  3. Grab your wrench, place it over the oil drain plug and turn counterclockwise. A great way to remember which way to turn is "righty tighty, lefty loosey."
  4. Loosen the plug until you can turn it with your fingers but do not remove it.
  5. Move the oil catch pan underneath the plug. Because of the angle of the hole, the oil probably won't come out straight down. Be prepared for this.
  6. Slowly loosen and remove the plug. Warning: Expect a sudden rush of hot oil.
  7. Wait at least two minutes for all the oil to drain.2
  8. While waiting, take a moment to trace the washer for the oil pan on a piece of paper. It is advisable, but not necessary, to replace this washer.1 By tracing it now, you will be able to purchase the right size and do it next time you change your oil.
  9. Replace the drain plug on the engine, making sure it is tight.

Step 4: Change the Oil Filter

Oil filter. (Creative Commons photo by K.ivoutin)
Oil filter. (Creative Commons photo by K.ivoutin)
  • For this step, you will need a new oil filter, your oil filter wrench, your drain pan and one of the bottles of oil.
  1. Move the drain pan so it is now below the oil filter.
  2. Attach the oil filter wrench around the filter.
  3. Remove the oil filter by rotating the wrench counterclockwise. Oil will escape from the filter and drip into the pan.
  4. Place the old filter into your plastic bag and set aside.
  5. Check that the rubber gasket ring came off with the filter. It may be stuck to the car.
  6. Wipe off the area where the filter mounts to the engine.
  7. Get your new oil filter ready to install by taking a little oil from one of the bottles and coating the rubber gasket thoroughly. Do not use old oil because it may contain buildup that will wear away the gasket and cause an oil leak.4
  8. Carefully screw on the new filter. This should only take about one-half to three-quarters of a turn.2

Step 5: Finishing Up

  • The hardest parts are now over. You simply have to do a few last things to complete your oil change.
  1. Remove the oil pan from underneath your car (but not the newspaper).
  2. Place the funnel in the oil fill opening.
  3. Pour in the new oil. You will need anywhere from about four to six quarts of oil.4 Check your manual for an exact number.
  4. Replace the cap.
  5. Check the oil level by pulling out the engine dipstick. It should be slightly high because the oil filter is empty.5
  6. Start the engine. Make sure the oil pressure light goes off and that there are no drips under your car.
    • If you're working in a garage, don't run the car with the doors closed! Be sure it is well-ventilated.
  7. Allow the car to run for about a minute.
  8. If you find any leaks, chances are your filter or your drain plug was not tight enough. Turn off the car, tighten them and try again.
  9. Turn off the car and check the oil level again. It should be at the correct level.
  10. Lower the car from the jacks (if necessary).

Step 6: Clean Up

It's a dirty job... (Creative Commons photo by Jon's Pics)
It's a dirty job... (Creative Commons photo by Jon's Pics)
  1. Pour your used oil into the empty milk jugs. Use the funnel.
  2. Take the used oil, oil filter and any empty oil containers to the nearest oil recycling center. You can locate a facility by going to Earth 911.7
    • Many national oil change facilities will be willing to take your used oil from you.
  • Clean up the rest of your supplies and you are finished!

Conclusion

  • With oil change service centers popping up on every corner, changing your own oil might not seem like a necessary thing. But it can be a great way to save a little bit of cash. Besides, if you get good enough at it, you can offer to do it for your friends (for a small fee, of course). Who knows? There might be a career in it for you.

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References for How To Change Your Oil

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 DMV.org: How To Change Your Oil
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Edmunds: How To Change Your Oil (The Real Down and Dirty)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 eHow.com: How To Change Your Motor Oil
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 WikiHow: How to Change the Oil in Your Car (with pictures)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 DoItYourself.com: How to Change Your Oil
  6. ↑ EPA: Oil
  7. ↑ Earth911: Earth911.org

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