How to Change Your Own Motor Oil

Many people don't know how to approach their cars when it comes to mechanical problems. Changing your own oil can not only save you money in the long run, but it can also reward you with a "background" of car mechanic experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Ratchet Set
• Oil catch can
• Oil funnel
• Recommended viscosity and grade of oil
• Oil Filter
• Drain plug gasket (optional)

1. Jack your car up to a comfortable height with a floor jack and prop the car on jackstands. You do not need to jack up the rear. Do not, however, leave the car on the jack without jackstands.
2. Open the oil cap on top of the engine to ensure that there is no pressure in the engine.
3. Climb under the car and find the oil drain plug on your oil pan. This is usually indicated with an arrow pointing towards the plug on the oil pan.
4. Using the appropriate ratchet and socket, unbolt the plug and position the oil catch pan under the oil pan. Remember that the oil flows out in an arching pattern so position the pan within range of the arch or you will have oil all over your garage floor.
5. Leave the oil to drain for the next 10-15 minutes to ensure every last drop is gone.
6. When installing the oil drain plug, it may be necessary to replace the drain plug gasket. Some cars, such as the Dodge Neon SRT-4, come with a reusable gasket that can be used over and over.
7. Tighten the drain plug enough to where there will be no leakage but do not overtighten it as you may crack the oil pan.
8. Remove the old oil filter. It may take quite some strength to remove this (depending on how tight the previous mechanic installed it). Watch out for oil spill from the filter.
9. Get your new oil filter and place enough oil in it to where it is about half full. Also place oil around the rubber seal and screw on 1/4 turn past handtight (generally).
10. Climb out from under the car and back up top. Position the oil funnel in the hole where you removed the oil cap. Pour in the recommended amount of oil for your car (check owner's manual for this amount). Retighten oil cap and check over the steps to ensure you did not miss anything.
11. PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR USED OIL AT AN APPROPRIATE FACILITY

Tips & Warnings

• Breaker bars may come in handy for those stubborn stuck plugs
• Please take your old oil to a proper recycling facility...don't dump it in your backyard
• Do NOT change your oil while the engine is still hot
• Do NOT overtighten the oil drain plug as the oil pan could possibly crack