How to Change Your Car Oil Yourself - Is It Worth It?

Even if you've never changed the oil in a car, the economy, or a recent job loss, or other factors may have you considering the idea.

The oil changing "process" itself is relatively simple, and goes something like this:

1. Slide under the car from the front, and find the oil pan
2. Place a pan under oil pan to catch the oil; remove oil pan plug.
3. Let oil drain into catch pan
4. Move catch pan under oil filter location, remove old oil filter and discard.
5. Lubricate threads of new oil filter with new oil and replace filter - screwing it on with your hand is usually sufficient.
6. Replace oil pan plug, tighten plug with wrench.
7. Open hood of car, find oil filler cap - it's located on the top of the engine.
8. Add new oil

Yes, you shade tree mechanics and DIY oil changers out there, I hear your screaming, "There's a lot more to it than that!" You are absolutely right - that is the point of this article.

Especially if you've never changed the oil before - and maybe don't even CHECK your own oil - you need to understand that there are a lot of questions to be answered, and a lot of other factors to take into consideration before you decide to change your own oil, including:

1. What kind of oil does my car take, and how much? Most cars take 5W30; some don't. Most cars take 5 quarts; others take less or more. This information is located in your owner's manual, or printed on the oil filler cap, or you can ask your friendly auto parts store employee.
   
2. What does the oil filter look like, and what kind of oil filter does my car take? Again, you can usually find this in your owner's manual or by asking that friendly auto parts store employee. Or, (if you don't ask directions), you can remove the old oil filter and take it shopping with you for the new filter. Most filters are about the size and shape of a large multivitamin bottle, but some are shaped completely different! Just keep in mind that the new filter will be the same size and shape, but it won't necessarily be the same color!
   
3. Where is the oil pan and what does it look like? Where do I put in the new oil? Most oil pans are square; some are rectangular. They are deep - like a bundt cake pan without the hole in the middle (well, there is a hole, but it's different ... understand?) Honda owners and some other foreign car owners beware ... the transmission is located near the oil pan in your vehicles and ALSO has a plug in the middle ... do not make this mistake! To put in the new oil, you must find the "oil filler cap" located on top of the engine ... make sure you have the right location!
   
4. What kind of tools and equipment do I need? Some items are required; others are optional, but at a minimum, you will need a oil drain or "catch" pan, socket wrenches to remove the oil pan plug, an adjustable oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter, funnel, rags, and a container for the used oil.
   
5. Am I really saving money? Probably not, so if that's your only motivation, reconsider. Besides the cost of the oil and the filter, there are also tools to buy, gas to burn going to visit that friendly auto parts store employee (probably numerous times), and possibly even the cost to recycle the used oil - you cannot just pour this stuff down the drain! There is also the time and the hassle, and the possibility of getting burned by hot oil or otherwise injuring yourself.

Changing your own oil in your car seems like it would be an easy way to save money, but that is not necessarily the case.

If you normally have your oil changed at a dealership, you may save a few dollars by not having to pay their labor rates, but you are losing that "once-over" that is offered by most dealerships and included in the price of the oil change, which includes checking all the fluids, your tires, etc. Lube shops are cheaper and you can usually find coupons, so it's unlikely you can change your own oil for much less. Just remember that these types of places are notorious for "upselling" ... just get your oil changed!

After you've weighed all the costs, you may decide to start changing your own oil, or you may decide it's much simpler to just leave it to someone who knows what they are doing!

Sources:

My son - a GM service technician (aka "Mr. Goodwrench")
Ehow.com - How To Change Your Motor Oil (video and text) - http://www.ehow.com/video_11_change-motor-oil.html