Landon Gumphrey

Changing Your Car’s Oil

Welcome
A good way to save time and money from dealing with maintenance companies is to change your
own oil. It will require some preparation and research but once you get it down you can skip the
hassle of having to drop your car off and getting rides to and from or waiting there altogether.
Changing your own oil can make you feel accomplished and increase the understanding of your
vehicle. This guide will show you how to do this step by step.

Tools and Materials

 Drain Plug Wrench

 Oil Filter Wrench

 Oil Drain Pan

 Funnel

 Oil

 Oil Filter

 Car Jack/Jack Stands (if needed)

Figure 1: Tools and Materials, most pictures taken from
www.edmunds.com

Warning!

The process of oil changing can be messy and the oil may be hot if the car was just in use. The

user may want to wear gloves and wait a while to let their car cool before attempting to change

its oil. Depending on how much clearance there is between the ground and car you may need a
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car jack. If a car jack is needed make sure that your car is completely secure on level ground and

using jack stands for support.

Before You Begin

Figure 2: Jack up the Car Safely (if needed) Figure 3: Remove the undercover (newer cars)

Figure 4: Location for Oil Filter (Left) and Drain Plug (Right) Figure 5: Location for Oil Cap (Left) and Dipstick (Right)

Important!

Make sure to consult the owner’s manual for safety precautions and preparation needed specific

to your vehicle. For any questions regarding location of parts, type and amount of oil, or any

confusion in general, please refer to the owner’s manual.

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Oil Replacement

1. CheckRead the owner’s manual to check see oil type/amount needed and collect any

materials needed for your specific vehicle.

Find and collect the tools and materials listed

above specific to your vehicle. This will call for

some reading beforehand. Check the owner’s

manual to find the specific oil type and amount

you should buy.

Figure 6: Owner’s Manual

2. Drain the Old Oil Place the drain pan, locate and remove the drainplug to fully drain the

oil, then clean and replace the drain plug when finished.

Locate the Drain Plug underneath your car. Here is where you will need to place the oil drain pan

that will collect the old oil as it flows. Use a wrench fitting the size of your Drain Plug to twist

and remove it and start the draining process. Allow time for the oil to drain (Around 30 minutes)

and come to a slow drip. Clean and reattach the Drain Plug.

Figure 7: Placing Oil Drain Pan Figure 8: Removing Drain Plug

Figure 9: Draining Oil
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3. Change the Oil Filter Locate and remove the oil filter, drain it completely, then install the

new oil filter in its place.

Locate the Oil Filter underneath your car. Use a wrench to slowly loosen the filter and unscrew

by hand as soon as possible to avoid spilling oil. Hold the detached Oil Filter over the Drain Pan

and turn it over to pour the oil out. Grab the new Oil Filter and rub some of the new oil around

the O-ring. Install the new Oil Filter by hand, twisting until it is secure.

Figure 11: Pouring Oil out of Old Filter Figure 12: Installing New Oil Filter

Figure 10: Loosening Oil Filter

4. A d d i n N e w O i l

car, check the oil level with the dip stick.

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When using the dipstick, use the second hole or marking to indicate the level to which the car is

filled with oil.

Locate and remove the oil cap on the top side of the engine. Use the funnel and pour in the new

oil (amount specified in owner’s manual). Replace the oil cap and run your car for about 30-60

seconds. After this, check for any leaks and check the oil level using the dipstick located next to

the oil cap. This will indicate it is filled with oil when the oil comes up to the second hole or

marking.

Figure 13: Removing Oil Cap Figure 14: Pouring in New Oil Figure 15: Checking that the Oil is full

5. Disposeal of the old oil and parts at an auto parts

store or hazardous waste drop-off point.

The old oil and filter as well as any replaced parts

during maintenance need to be disposed of properly.

Many auto parts stores will take these oil and parts, or

you can take them to hazardous waste drop-off

points.

Figure 16: Disposal of Used Oil at a Garbage Dump

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