by Art Heberger

Created on: June 08, 2010

How to Change Your Vehicle's Motor Oil

You Will Need:

Floor jack

Jack stands

Oil drain pan

Container for waste oil

Wrench or socket and ratchet for drain plug

Oil filter wrench

Oil Absorbent Pads or Granule

Rags

Funnel

Oil

Oil filter

Step 1

Use the viscosity recommended by the manufacturer in the owner's manual. For example it might say 10W-30. In most manuals the viscosity and frequency you change the oil depends on how you use the vehicle, the climate you use it in and the mileage you put on it. The owner's manual will also tell you how many quarts of oil you will need to put in after you've drained the old oil and replaced the filter. You will find the oil and oil filter you need at your local auto parts store.

Step 2

Safety is very important when working under a vehicle. You will need a solid level surface to work on. Set the emergency brake. Jack up the front end of the vehicle and place jack stands under the frame. DO NOT get under the vehicle with just the jack supporting it. You can use ramps instead of jack stands, but use wheel chocks in addition to setting the parking brake, so the vehicle won't roll off the ramps.

Step 3

Place the drain pan under the oil drain plug. Most drain plugs are on the lowest part of the oil pan. Check your owner's manual if you have trouble finding it. Be sure you use the correct size box wrench or socket to loosen and remove the drain plug, so you don't strip the head. The oil flows out quickly when the plug is removed, so make sure no body parts are in the way. Make sure to completely drain the oil from the engine. Give it about 10 minutes to drain. Then replace the oil drain plug and tighten it so oil will not leak. DO NOT use an impact gun or long handled wrench to tighten the plug, I've actually seen people strip the threads out of oil pans this way.

Step 4

Oil filters are located in many different places depending on your vehicle, so again check the owner's manual if you don't know. Position the oil drain pan under the oil filter. Use your filter wrench to loosen it and unscrew the oil filter. As mentioned before with the plug, oil will flow out quickly, although not as much as draining the pan, but keep out of the way. Make sure the rubber ring is not stuck to the engine if you don't see it on the filter.

Step 5

Pour a small amount of oil into the new filter and wipe a thin coat of oil on the filters rubber ring. Screw new filter on and get it hand tight. Do not tighten the new filter using the filter wrench.

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