How to Do an Oil Change.

Hi I’m Lincoln Stuwe. I help people keep their cars on the road by performing maintenance, repairs, And oil changes. Today I am going to give you the skills you need to perform your own oil change and save yourself some cash. I have steps to show you how to change the oil on your car or pickup. Knowing how to change oil can help you save money and also might impress your friends and neighbors. 

For this oil change you will need a socket set with a ratchet, pliers, oil catch pan, motor oil specifically for your vehicle, funnel, oil filter specifically for your vehicle, car ramps, filter wrench, and rags for cleaning any spills.

First drive the vehicle onto the car ramps. Make sure ramps are lined up correctly so the vehicle will go on the ramps smoothly. When the vehicle is on the car ramps put vehicle in park and engage parking break. Turn off vehicle.

To locate the oil drain plug look in the drivers manual in the maintenance section. It can also be located by finding the oil pan. The drain plug should be located toward the bottom of the oil pan and should have a hexagon head like a bolt. once the drain plug is located use the correct socket and ratchet to remove. Rotate the drain plug counter clockwise to remove and be ready with the oil catch pan. When the drain plug is removed motor oil will begin to flow out of the drain pan and into the oil catch pan.

Oil filters are usually located by the oil pan but can be located in different spots. Read your owners manual to find the location of the oil filter. Oil filters are usually cylinder shaped and made out of aluminum but can also be made out of clothe. Once the oil filter is located begin to remove it by rotating counter clockwise. Their is still oil in the oil filter so expect some to leak out. Have rags ready to clean any spills. When the filter is removed. Place the filter upside down in catch pan to drain before throwing away.

After all the oil is drained out of the oil pan install the oil plug with the same socket and wrench used to remove it. Before replacing oil filter make sure the gasket from the old filter is not there. Then replace oil filter by placing in the same spot it was removed from and turning clockwise with. The filter only needs to be hand tight. After it is hand tight give the filter one turn with the filter wrench.

Next is to add the new motor Oil. To locate where to pour the new oil look along the front of your engine or in the owners manual in the maintenance section. When looking along the front of the engine there will be a cap saying add oil along with what type of oil it takes. Once located remove cap and place funnel into hole. When adding oil add a little at a time. To check the oil of your car use the dip stick. The dip stick usually located on the front or on the side of the motor.

When checking the oil level it is important to make sure that you do not over fill the oil. Keep adding oil by a quart until oil is on the dip stick. When oil reaches the dip stick start adding oil little by little until it is just under the full mark. When the oil is just under the full mark put the cap on the oil fill port and start engine. Let the engine it run for about 30 seconds this allows oil to fill the oil filter and to let the new oil move around the engine. After 30 seconds has gone by turn off the engine and let the engine sit for 5 minutes then check the oil again. If the oil level has fallen add engine oil until oil level is just under the full mark. If oil level has not changed the oil change is complete. When the oil level is just under the full mark on the dip stick do not continue adding oil the oil change is complete.

When the oil is full. Double check the oil drain plug and oil filter to make sure both are tight. Pull the dip stick one last time to check oil level. Clean up any oil spills with rag. When all checks have been complete start vehicle, disengage park break, put the vehicle in reverse and drive off car ramps. Clean up any tools and spills. After that congratulations the oil change is complete.