How to Change the Oil in Your Car

When I bought my very first car, my boyfriend at the time showed me how to change oil. I was surprised at how easy it was to do and how much money I was could save. Ever since then I have changed the oil in every car that I have owned. I have saved a lot of money over the years.

To change the oil in your car, just follow these easy directions.

Change into your old clothes and put on latex gloves or work gloves. And plan on taking a shower afterward! Although changing the oil is easy, it is a messy job.

Make sure that your car's engine is cool before you begin. Get underneath your car and find the oil drain plug. Place a container such as a bucket or pan under the plug. Remove the plug, turning it counter clockwise, with a wrench. Let all the old oil drain out of the car into the container. Put the plug back in, turning it clockwise until tight.

Now locate the oil filter and place the container under it. Remove the old oil filter with an oil filter wrench, turning it counter clockwise. Discard this old filter. Before you install the new oil filter, put a little oil on the gasket for a better seal. Install the new filter, turning it clockwise until tight. When the filter gets hard to turn, stop turning it; it is tight enough.

The hard part is now over! Now all that is left is to replace the oil. Open the hood of your car and find the oil filler cap and remove it. Using a funnel, pour in the correct number of quarts of motor oil. (See your car's owners manual for oil capacity of your car.) Put the oil filler cap back on.

Start the engine. Check under the car to make sure there that no oil is leaking. Turn off the engine. Pull out the oil dip stick and check the oil level. If the oil is not up to the full mark, you will need to add some more oil. Only add a little oil at a time, until the the oil is up to the full mark.

You are finished! The only thing left to do is to dispose of your old oil at an oil recycling center.