How do you change your oil?

Answer 1

Gather necessary tools and materials.

If you plan to change your oil regularly, consider investing in the Following.

1. Small Floor Jack.

2. Jack Stands.

3. A Socket Set with adapter to go from 3/8 to 1/2 inch for strap wrench.

4. A Strap Wrench.

5. Oil Drain Pan.

6. A Funnel.

7. A Magnetic retrieval tool (to retrieve the plug encase you drop it in the hot oil).

8. Leather Gloves or Rubber Gloves (like the doctor's use, available at most auto parts).

Run the car's engine for 10 minutes before you drain the oil. Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.

Park the car on a level surface, engage the parking brake and turn off the engine.

If your car has a low clearance, raise it by driving it onto a ramp or by jacking it up and supporting it securely.

Open the hood and place the new oil and funnel on top of the engine to ensure that you won't forget to add oil afterwards (an expensive mistake that many D-I-Yer's make!). Tips:

Wear gloves to remove the plug if it's hot.

It's always best to replace the oil drain plug gasket.

Use the right size wrench or socket. Don't use an adjustable wrench: you can strip the drain plug bolt.

Consult your owner's manual or an automotive parts specialist to find out the weight of oil and type of oil filter your car needs.

You'll need the year, make, model and mileage of your car if you go to an auto parts store.

You will also need to decide what oil and filter you are going to use, Synthetic or Conventional.

Warnings:

Make sure the car is securely supported before you crawl underneath.

You will need two jack stands to support the front of your car after jacking it up.

Never get under a car that is supported only by a jack! A pair of jack stands costs less than $20.

Handle hot automotive oil with extreme care.

Only dispose of used motor oil and filters at authorized locations.

Used oil contains many carcinogens, avoid contact, and wear leather or rubber gloves. Draining the Oil and Changing the Oil Filter Steps:

1. Crawl under the car once it is securely supported.

2. Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine, usually near the front center of the car. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location.

3. Place the oil drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench. Remember: turn counterclockwise to remove bolts.

4. Remove the plug by hand. Be prepared for the rush of hot oil!

5. Let the oil drain into the pan. Hold onto the plug. (if you can)

6. Reposition the pan, if necessary, to catch all the dripping oil.

7. Wipe off the drain plug and the plug opening when the oil finishes draining.

8. Replace the drain plug gasket.

9. Reinstall the plug. Always start threading any bolts or screws by hand to prevent cross threading.

10. Tighten with a wrench or socket. Be careful not to over tighten the plug.

11. Locate the existing oil filter. Oil filters are usually on the side of the engine.

12. Position the oil pan underneath the filter to catch any remaining oil.

13. Use strap wrench to loosen the old oil filter if it is too tight to remove by hand. Make sure the rubber seal of the old filter is not stuck to the engine.

(Be careful when removing the old oil filter. It's full of oil.)

14. Use a rag to wipe the area where the filter mounts to the engine.

15. Use some new oil to lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter.

(If you are lucky and your filter is straight up & down pre-fill the filter with fresh oil till it remains full.

Doing this will help with the startup lack of oil going to the engine.

Even if the filter mounts sideways you can pre-fill it to the point where the fresh oil is soaked into the filter material.

16. Screw the new filter into place by hand. Tighten 3/4 turn after the filter makes contact with the mounting surface, no more, no less!

It's usually not necessary to tighten the oil filter with the oil filter wrench, but have it at the ready if you're grip's not strong (or large) enough. Installing New Oil and Cleaning Up Steps:

1. Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine. Remove it.

2. Place the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil. Typically, you will use 4 to 5 quarts of oil. Check your manual for the correct oil capacity.

3. Replace the cap when you're finished.

4. Run the engine for a minute or two.

5. Check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for oil leaks. Tighten the plug or oil filter if you find leakage.

6. Use rags and newspapers to wipe away excess oil.

7. Pour the used oil into a plastic container after the used oil cools. (Old 1 gal milk containers with screw-on lids work great for this.)

8. Dispose of the used oil properly: either bring it to a recycling center or an auto repair shop that can recycle it for you. Don't pour it down the sewer!

REMEMBER

Record the date and mileage after you change the oil so you will know when your car is due for another oil change.

It helps to put a small sticker on your windshield to remind you or a small service book available at your local auto parts store, that you keep in the glove compartment or console. Hope This Helps.