How to Change the Oil in Your Car Engine Yourself

The 1^st thing that you need to do is make sure that you have a safe area to complete your oil change. A level, solid area is a must so that you can safely jack up your car. You may also opt to put something on the ground or floor underneath the engine in case of a spill. Plywood or a piece of cardboard is great for this.

Before you attempt to get started changing your oil change, make sure that you have everything that you need to get the job done such as a funnel, new oil filter, oil filter wrench, ratchet or open end wrench, oil catch/recycle container, new oil and a clean rag.

Your first step in an oil change is to get the old stuff out of your engine. The oil drains out of the oil pan at the very bottom of your engine. In order to let the old oil out of your car you will need to find the drain plug, which looks like a big bolt at the bottom of the oil pan.

But before removing the oil drain plug, be sure that your recycling container is placed underneath the oil drain. An oil change will not be any fun if most of your time is spent cleaning up oil. After removing the drain plug, let it drop into the recycling container. Most containers have a screen on top that will keep it from dropping into the gook below.

After all of the oil has drained out, replace the drain plug, tightening it to your cars torque specifications. Place the cap on the oil-recycling container so that you can drop it off at your local recycling center.

The next thing that you will need to do is remove your old oil filter by using an oil filter wrench. Simply turn the filter counterclockwise until it comes lose but be careful because it's still full of old oil that can spill and make a mess. Note: Some oil filters can be reached from the top, but most will have to be assessed from under the car.

After you have drained all of the old oil out and the old filter is out of the way, it's time to change the oil. Before installing the new oil filter it has to be prepped by lubricating the rubber gasket on the end of the filter with some new oil.

The next thing that you will need to do is fill the new oil filter about 2/3 of the way with new oil. It's ok if you go over that amount but some of it may spill a bit when you screw it on. Carefully screw the new oil filter into place but remember that it has oil in it so don't forget to hold it in a vertical position.

You will not need a wrench to install the new oil filter. Simply screw it on as tight as you can get it with one hand being careful not to over tighten it because the oil filter can strip its threads and cause a leak. Not tightening it enough can also cause leaks so be careful to screw it on as tight as it will go with one hand, but no more.

Now you're finally ready to fill the engine with oil by unscrewing the oil fill cap and inserting the funnel into the oil change hole. I suggest that you check your owner's manual to find out the exact amount of oil that your engine will actually hold. Pour a little more than 3/4 that amount into the engine. Most 5-quart containers of oil have a guide on the side that shows how much oil you've already put in. Last but not least check your oil and add more until you're at the right level.

Be sure to put your oil cap back on because an oil spray can cause a fire under your hood if it is not properly replaced.