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
 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.

 Oil Replacement

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

needed for your specific vehicle.

Figure 6: Owner’s Manual

2. Place the drain pan, locate and remove the drain plug to fully drain the oil, then clean and

replace the drain plug when finished.

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

Figure 9: Draining Oil
3. Locate and remove the oil filter, drain it completely, then install the new oil filter in its

place.

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

Figure 10: Loosening Oil Filter

4. R e m o v e t h e o i l c a p

dip stick.

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

filled with oil.

Figure 13: Removing Oil Cap Figure 14: Pouring in New Oil Figure 15: Checking that the Oil is full
5. Dispose of the old oil and parts at an auto parts

store or hazardous waste drop-off point.

Figure 16: Disposal of Used Oil at a Garbage Dump