How to Change Oil

I am going to show you step for step on how to change your oil. Growing up on the farm has taught me how to change oil and I have been doing it for many years. Changing your own oil is a very good skill to learn to save money. If you take the time to let me teach you I know you will feel confident doing it on your own.

Most vehicles do not have much space under them to work. Putting the vehicle onto ramps will allow everything to go a lot smoother and everything will be much easier. Start by lining each ramp directly in front of your vehicle. Then slowly pull the vehicle onto the ramps until you reach the flat top resting point of the ramp and put the vehicle in park. Before you get under the vehicle you want to be sure that it is safe and not going to roll off the ramps. So next put blocks behind your back tires.

As I demonstrate in this video you will want to figure out what size your oil plug bolt is. On this vehicle it is a 10mm. Next you will want to get under and loosen the oil plug. Make sure you have an oil pan underneath the plug before completely taking it off so that way the oil doesn't spill onto the ground but into the oil pan. Let the oil drain until it stops flowing.

As I demonstrate in this video you will want to remove you oil filter. Make sure to have the oil pan underneath the filter when removing it because there will be some oil that spills out. The easiest way to take it off is by twisting it using a oil filter wrench but if you do not have one a channel-locks will also work.

Before threading on the new oil filter you will want to make sure and clean the area you will be putting it with a rag. Its important that the area the seal on the oil filter rests is clean insuring a good seal. You shouldn't need a tool to put the new one on. I like to turn it until it feels and is snug. Then do a turn and a half and that should be plenty tight but no less then that. To tight is better than to loose. After the filter is on and if you have not done yet put the oil plug bolt back in and get it nice and tight.

Not all vehicles take the same oil. Make sure you check in the owners manual to make sure you have the right type of oil. As you can see in the pictures you will want to pop your hood. Once you have your hood popped you will want to locate the oil fill cap. Remove the cap and put a funnel into it. Pour oil into the funnel and stop occasionally and check the amount of oil in the vehicle using the dip stick.

The oil dip stick is the yellow handle in the picture. You will want to check and make sure that you have enough oil in the vehicle before operating. The dip stick has a operating line as well as a fill line. Make sure you take the vehicle off the ramps so it's on more level ground for a better read on the oil level. Once you are on level ground make sure you have oil on the dip in the operating range. Once you do you are good to go and your oil is changed.