How to Change Your Oil and Filter

I show how to do a basic oil and filter change on a car. To know when to do an oil change check your vehicles owner’s manual. It will tell you how often you need to change your oil. If you drive a newer model, the car may just tell you when you need to change your oil. Doing an oil and filter change is fairly easy and inexpensive, make sure you check your owner’s manual for relevant information such as the type and capacity of oil needed. Regularly changing your car's engine oil and filter is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time, your oil will break down and your filter will become clogged with contaminants.

#1: Drive onto your car ramps or use a jack and jack stands. Put the emergency brake on and place chucks behind the wheels to ensure it can’t roll back.

#2: Locate the oil drain plug and place the oil pan below it. You can consult your owner’s service manual for help in locating the oil drain plug. Loosen the plug with a socket wrench.

#3: Unscrew the plug by hand and let the oil drain into the oil collection pan. Find the filler cap on top of your engine. Removing it makes the draining process faster because air can enter from the top.

#4: Once all the old oil is drained, put the oil plug back on and tighten it by hand, making sure it’s not cross-threaded. After the plug is hand-tight, secure it with a wrench. You can use a new drain plug gasket to ensure it won’t leak. Never over-tighten the drain plug.

#5: Remove the existing oil filter. Position the oil pan under the old filter. Use a rag to clean the mounting surface on the engine, and make sure the gasket from the old filter is not stuck to it.

#6: Put a bit of oil around the gasket of the new filter and screw into place by hand. Check to make sure the seal is properly seated in the filter, then screw on the filter by hand.

#7: Pour in new oil making sure to use a clean funnel, and pour in the amount and type of oil specified for your vehicle. Some oil may not have drained out, and you don’t want to overfill it.

#8: Run the engine and look for leaks. After you run the engine for a few minutes, check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for leaks. If you see a leak, cut off the engine and correct it. If you see no leaks, shut off the engine and let it rest for about 5 minutes to give the oil time to drain down.

#9 check the oil level. Remove the dipstick. Wipe it off. Replace it. Then remove it again to see if it’s up to the “full mark.” If it’s not full, add the balance of the oil shown in the owner’s service manual. Finish up by removing the chucks and backing off the ramps.

#10: Dispose of old oil and oil filter properly. Take both to either an authorized used engine oil drop-off center or recycling center to recycle the old oil for you.

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