by Garet Harris

Created on: April 21, 2009

As times and the economy grow tougher, and money becomes tighter, many people are starting to take a do it yourself attitude on things they used to pay for. This is very true of basic car maintenance in general, but most important when it comes to the oil change. Changing the oil in your vehicle is something any person can do, all it takes is a few tools and about 15 to 20 minutes of your time. The tools required are basic ones that most people already own, though if you don't they can be purchased for about 40 dollars at Wal-Mart or some other store.

Here is a list of the items you will need to perform an oil change;

1. Oil filter wrench of the appropriate size for your filter, (there are about three size groups).

2. A set of car ramps capable of supporting your cars weight, check the manual if you are unsure or consult someone more knowledgeable.

3. An oil drain pan

4. An oil funnel medium size that will fit in your oil fill neck.

5. A basic socket or wrench set, though a crescent or adjustable wrench will get you by in a pinch.

6. Rags for clean up

7. The appropriate oil filter for your vehicle

8. The correct oil weight and quantity.

If it is your first time I recommend going to an auto parts store and asking what you need for your make model and year of car or truck, That way you are sure to get what you need the first time and will know what to get from then on.

Now that we have what we need lets change the oil.

1.Place the ramp set in front of the front wheels and slowly pull the car up on the ramps making sure the car is centered on them, using a spotter is a good idea. When the car is up where you want it place the car in park and set the parking brake.

2. Open the hood and locate and remove the oil filler cap.

3. Place the pan under the car, grab your tools and filter wrench and crawl under behind the front wheels. With the drain pan directly under the drain plug use a wrench or socket to undo the drain plug and drain the oil. It is a good idea to have some rags on hand for spills.

4. Using the filter wrench remove the oil filter in a counter clock wise rotation , be sure the drip pan is below the filter, and carefully lower the filter and place it in the pan. Check to make sure that the filters rubber seal gasket is still on the filter and not stuck to the filter mount housing. If you forget this and leave the gasket on the housing you will have a heavy oil leak when you start the car.

5. If your oil filter was hung vertically , prime the filter with fresh oil and rub a bit of oil on the new rubber seal before installing it. Now install the filter and hand tighten till the filter is snug but not torqued down.

6. Replace the oil drain plug and wipe up any residual oil on the pan.

7. Remove the drain pan and your tools from under the car.

8. Place the oil funnel in the filler neck and start by pouring in all but one of the recommended quarts one at a time. Then check the dip stick level and see where your level is. Slowly add oil in of a quart pours until your dip stick reads full. Then remove the filter and replace the filler cap

9. Get in the vehicle and start it up, now get out and check underneath the car for leaks ,drips etc.

If you found no drips you can now pull the car down of the ramps.

10. Take used oil and pour it into an appropriate storage container, old antifreeze jugs work well, and take it to a certified disposal center along with the oil filter.

Congratulations you just saved yourself 15 to 20 dollars, the tools will pay for them selves in just a few oil changes and then your saving money, what is next the air filter, or maybe your engine coolant needs flushed and changed. Whatever it is you can do it with a little time and patience. Happy motoring.

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