How to Do it Yourself Cheap Oil Change

You don't need to go to an expensive oil change franchise! With these easy steps, a few tools, oil and oil filter, you can do this all by yourself!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• oil filter
• oil filter wrench
• oil- about 4 to 5 quarts
• wrench
• bucket
• rag
• funnel

1. 
    
   photo by robert couse-baker at flickr

   Pop your hood and take off your oil cap. If you can not get under your car, use a jack or car ramps.

2. 
    
   photo by adelelai1231 at flickr

   Locate your oil filter. You will find this under your car in the front part of your engine or the back part of your engine, depending on what kind of automobile you have. You will need an oil filter wrench to remove it. Take off the oil filter and set aside. There may be a some minute dripping of oil at this point..use a papertowel to absorb it.

3. 
    
   photo by boolean split at flickr

   Locate the oil pan. It is under the vehicle, on the bottom of the engine. It is normally black.

4. 
    
   photo by 91rs at flickr

   Put your bucket underneath the oil pan.

5. 
    
   photo by robert couse-baker

   You will find a bolt on the oil pan. With your wrench, remove the bolt.

6. 
    
   photo by robert couse-baker

   With the bolt removed, the oil will pour out of the oil pan into the bucket. When the oil flows stops, clean off your bolt with your rag and put the bolt back in the oil pan and tighten with your wrench.

7. 
    
   photo by adelelai1231 at flickr

   Take your new oil filer and put a little coating of new oil on the rubber ring with your finger. Screw in the oil filter and tighten with your oil filter wrench. If you see oil on any engine parts, wipe off with your rag.

8. 
    
   photo by 91rs at flickr

   With your oil filter tightened, and oil pan bolt tightened, you can add your new oil.

9. 
    
   photo by jeffwilson at flickr

   Put the funnel in your engine block and pour your oil in.

10. 
     
    photo by tanya ryno at flickr

    Wipe off any oil spilled with your rag. Put yor oil cap back on. Start your car and leave it running for about 5 mintues. Turn it off and find your oil dipstick. Pull it out, wipe it off and re-insert. Pull it out again, and make sure the oil line is up to "full".

Tips & Warnings

• Check your owners manual to find out how many quarts your automobile requires. It is usually between 4 to 5 quarts. If you don't have an owners manual, you can call any auto parts store for the information.
• RECYLE YOUR OIL if you can. If you know someone with a chainsaw, they can use your old oil. You can go to your local dump and ask them the best way to recycle or get rid of your old oil.
• If there is a smell when your engine gets hot, it may be because there was some oil you didn't find. Do not worry. If it does persist, go back under your car and re-tighten your oil filter and oil pan bolt.
• When you have removed your oil filter make sure the rubber seal is on your old oil filter and not left in your engine.
• When you have removed your oil filter, hold it with the opening UP so that the oil inside will not spill all over.
• Because there are many different size oil filters, one wrench will not fit all. You need to get an oil filter wrench SET that will cover any size oil filter and will surely come in handy if you change cars. Check out my resources for an oil wrench set.
• If your oil line is low, add one more quart.
• Make sure you check under your car for any leaks. If there is oil, go back under and re-tighten your oil filter and oil pan bolt.
• DO NOT DUMP YOUR OLD OIL ON THE GROUND, IN YOUR GARBAGE OR ANY WATER SOURCE.
• DO NOT USE YOUR OLD OIL IN ANY OTHER ENGINES!

Resources

• Advanced Tool Design Model ATD-5215 4 in 1 Band Swivel Oil Filter Wrench Set

[MariM]

on 3/3/2009 Great instructions. i could do this.5*recmd

[pressa]

on 2/2/2009 As a safety precation, the use of nitrile gloves or mechanic gloves is recommended to protect the skin from cancer causing chemicals and heavy metals consitantly found in used motor oil.

[PearlsWisdom]

on 1/15/2009 I figured it was hard so never tried it myself...sounds easy, just messy!

[Kiki0701]

on 1/11/2009 Sounds pretty easy!

[sneedc]

on 1/11/2009 Though it usually IS all about "ME" even I know my limits; I can see my trying this and winding up with more oil ON ME than in the car/truck. 5*