How to Change Your Oil

The tools required to change your automobile's oil are as follows.

Rags and old newspapers

3/8-drive socket set or combination wrench set (closed- and open-ended, metric)

an oil filter wrench

a bucket or oil pan to catch the draining old oil

containers to pour the old oil into (I use the new oil containers once I pour the new oil into the engine)

funnel

a one quart Ziploc baggie

a new oil filter (check your cars owner's manual for requirements)

enough oil to refill the engine (check the cars owner's manual for grade and number of quarts)

I also recommend wearing old clothing and if you have a pair of rubber gloves, wear them.

You want to do this job on a flat area. Some people recommend that you drive the car around for a few minutes to warm up the engine. The theory being that the oil will be more viscose and drain better. If you do this you want to be careful not to get the engine too hot or you could burn yourself.

Line up your tools and block the tires for safety using large rocks.

Put on your gloves to keep your hands clean.

Spread rags or newspapers onto the ground under the oil filter and oil pan.

If you can, slide under the car and locate the oil drain plug. If there isn't enough room, you may have to use jackstands to gain additional height. NEVER get under a car held aloft only by a car jack.

The car drain plug should be on the oil pan. It's a fairly large nut with washer under it. Do not confuse this drain plug with the transmission drain plug. Next find the correct socket from your socket set. Place it over the nut and turn it counter-clockwise. You might need to use some force to get it to turn. If it does not turn, swap out the socket wrench for a closed end wrench. After you get the nut moving, work it slightly loose avoiding removing it too much (oil will start pouring out of the pan).

Place the bucket or oil pan under the drain plug. Once in place, remove the plug and the oil will start to pour out. It should take two or three minutes for the oil to completely drain. While the oil is draining, put the oil drain plug with the rest of your tools so you do not misplace it. Remember that if you warmed your car up by driving it, the oil may be hot.

Once the oil has drained, locate the oil filter wrench and loosen the oil filter. An oil filter wrench is like a round noose that tightens when you turn it in one direction. To remove the oil filter turn counter clockwise. Once the filter starts to turn, remove the filter wrench and remove the filter by hand. The oil filter will also have oil in it so be careful not to spill. Drain the filter into the bucket that you have placed under the pan.

Install the new oil filter by first coating the rubber gasket on the bottom of the filter with oil. Make sure the area where the oil filter will screw into is clean then thread the filter by hand turning the filter clockwise. When it's snug, use the oil filter wrench to turn is another ½ turn.

Check the washer on the drain plug and replace if it appears worn or cracked. Carefully thread the drain plug back into the oil pan being sure not to cross the threads and you tighten the plug. Snug the plug up with the socket.

Use the funnel to help guide the new oil as you pour it into the engine. Once you have added the oil, check the dip stick. You also want to check for leaks. If there are no leaks, start the engine for a few minutes then check the oil level again with the dip stick.

Cleanup.

Place the oil filter into the zip lock bag. Use the funnel to pour the old oil into the oil containers. Pick up all the newspaper and rags.

To discard the old filter and oil, bring it down to your local recycling center. Some national chains such as Jiffylube will take your old oil and filter.

Finally, never dispose of old oil by pouring it into the ground.