How to Change the Oil in a Ford Taurus

A Ford Taurus oil change is easy for a beginner or advanced car junkie. A Ford Taurus model dated 1996 or later needs a 16mm wrench for the oil drain plug. Refer to the owner's manual for wrench sizes for years earlier than 1996.

Things You'll Need

• Car jack
• Jack stands or wheel ramps
• Oil drip pan
• Cleaning cloths
• New oil filter
• Socket wrench
• Strap-type oil filter wrench
• Oil

Instructions

Prepare Your Taurus for an Oil Change

1. Lift the Ford Taurus using a car jack. Set jack stands underneath it. If you don't have jack stands, drive the car up onto wheel ramps.

2. Pop the hood and locate the oil filler and dipstick. The oil filler is a round knob on the valve cover. The dipstick is on the center left behind the radiator and has a yellow handle. Remove these components and set aside.

3. Gather an oil drip pan, cleaning cloths, new oil filter, socket wrench and strap-type oil filter wrench. Slide under your Taurus.

Change the Oil

1. Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the engine block, right above the starter. Remove the plug using a wrench and pull it out quickly. Let the oil drain into a drip pan for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Take off the oil filter using a strap-type oil filter wrench. Check the gasket and threads for damage. Dump the old oil into the oil drip pan.

3. Screw the new oil filter on by hand. Tighten the filter as much as possible using your hand. Replace the oil drain plug using a wrench, so that it's snug against the engine block.

4. Slide out from under your Taurus and add oil to the oil fill. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct amount of oil for your Ford. Turn on the engine and watch the oil pressure gauge, located on the dashboard, to make sure it rises.

5. Lower the Taurus and turn off the engine. Take an oil reading on the dipstick. If the oil level isn't at full, add a bit more oil.

6. Make sure you properly dispose of used oil. Fill plastic containers with the old oil and drop it off at an auto parts store with an oil disposal. If you're not close to an auto parts store, call your local trash company for information about oil disposal.

Tips & Warnings

• If the oil pressure gauge doesn't fill after a few seconds, or the oil light doesn't go off after starting the engine, quickly turn your Taurus off and add more oil.