How to Change Your Own Oil

If you are like many savvy drivers out there, then chances are good that you are ready to handle as much of your car maintenance as possible. After all, if you are able to maintain some parts of your car, you can not only be in tune with how your car is running, but you can also save money and have service at your own convenience.

Changing your own oil is easy, as long as you know how to do it safely and with the right tools. Here are the steps you'll need to take to change your own oil successfully and safely:

1. Get your tools together. You'll need 4-5 new bottles of oil (you'll need to check your owner's manual for more information on what oil your car takes), two sturdy car jacks, a socket set, and an oil drain pan. You may also want to use a funnel for help pouring the oil into your engine.
2. Run your car for about 10 minutes before you're ready to change the oil. By heating your engine, the oil will drain faster than if the oil were to be drained while cold.
3. Park your car on a dry, level surface. Be sure to use your parking brake and turn off your engine. Use your jacks to raise the car a safe distance off the ground. Make sure that the jacks are secure and that your car is stable.
4. Slide under the car on your back. Find the oil drain plug, which will be near the front and center of the car. Your owner's manual should have a diagram of its exact location.
5. Do not place yourself directly under the drain plug. Instead, place the oil drain pan under the plug.
6. Loosen the drain plug with your socket wrench. Righty tighty, lefty loosey.
7. Once the oil drain plug is loose, you'll be able to remove it by hand. Note: the oil may be hot, so make sure you're a safe distance away from it.
8. Drain the oil into the pan.
9. Replace the drain plug once all of the oil has drained. Tighten it with the bolts and screws securely, but do not over-tighten the plus.
10. Find your oil filter and unscrew it. Old oil may pour out, so make sure your pan is in place.
11. Replace the oil filter with a new one. Use a small bit of oil to coat the rubber seal of the new filter.
12. Tighten the new filter in place by hand.
13. Finally, funnel 4-5 bottles of new oil into the engine and you're set to go!