by William Remski

Created on: September 07, 2007

Check the owners manual to see what kind of oil your car uses. If it recommends 5W-30 do not use 10W-40. Get the number of the oil filter you will need from the owner's manual while you are looking up the oil.

Go to the auto parts store. Get enough oil to do the change. This is usually four quarts plus one for the filter. Get an oil filter as well. If you do not have ramps for your car, or jackstands you had best get them while you are at the store. Also, you will need hand cleaner. Paper towels can come from your kitchen. If you have not changed your air filter or PCV valve in a while, now is the time to pick up these items. Be sure you have an oil drain pan and a filter wrench.

Drive the front of your car up on the ramps, or jack the car up on the jackstands. Unless you have a large sized truck you will not be able to just crawl under your car. Be sure to block the wheels of the car to keep it from rolling. Safety first.

Identify the oil drain plug on the oil pan of your engine. It is at the back corner of the pan. Place the oil drain pan under the oil drain plug and undo the plug with the proper sized socket wrench. The trick is to get the plug finger loose, then turn it out by hand while pushing in to keep oil from running all over your fingers. Once the threads on the oil plug are cleared, pull out the plug with a quickish motion and let the oil drain into the pan. Set the plug on a paper towel to keep dirt from getting into the threads.

Find the oil filter. The oil filter should be on hand tight. You should be able to turn the filter off by hand. If it will not come off by hand use the filter wrench to loosen it. Remove the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise. Dump the oil from the filter in the oil drain pan.

Prepare the new filter. Remove the rubber gasket from the new filter. The gasket sits in a depression on the business end of the filter. Pour some engine oil in the gasket slot and replace the rubber gasket. Spread the oil on the rubber gasket with your finger. This keeps the filter from leaking and prevents it sticking to the block when you replace it next time. Wipe the engine block where the filter goes with a clean paper towel. Make sure the flat sealing surface on the block is clean. Spin on the new filter and seat it firmly by hand. Turn it on as tight as you can with your hand. Do not jam it on there with the filter wrench.

Clean the engine oil plug with a paper towel. Wipe down the hole in the oil pan as well to be sure it is clean. Any

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