Tools for Oil Changes

Series Summary

Automotive maintenance is essential to the upkeep of any vehicle and a key component of this maintenance is changing the engine's motor oil. Though vehicle designs differ, there remain certain important aspects of changing the motor oil that do not change or are at least very similar across the vast array of automobiles. Such topics include when to change the motor oil, tools needed, capturing the motor oil, raising the vehicle, draining the oil, inspecting the drain plug, checking for leaks, preparing the oil filter, zooming the vehicle, lowering the vehicle, and how and where to dispose of used oil.

In this free online video series learn these important tips and techniques and more from motor oil maintenance expert Dean Searl. Dean attended a 2 year auto-tech program in 1976, has a long standing history as a local mechanic, and now manages two oil change stores that service an average of 40 vehicles each per day.

Video Transcript

"Hi! My name is Dean on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this clip, we are going to be talking about the tools needed to change your oil in your car or your truck. You will want to use a box end wrench because a box end wrench will go completely around your plug and you will prevent it from being rounded off versus open end that goes only on two sides and this could cause you issues in the future. You are best off to use a good boxed in wrench. In the filter there are two different ways to take it off. One you can take it off with your hand if it is not on too tight but most will be on tight enough that it will require a tool to take it off. This is a band wrench and is acceptable to taking it off but will not work to put it on as it could collapse your filter. The preferred method is to use a cup which goes completely around your filter and can be used to take it off in cases where the filter is hard to get a hold of can be used to tighten it back down. With this cup, you will need an extension and a ratchet to use this. "