How to change the oil in your car

What you will need:

• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Shop towels or old rags
• A funnel for the oil
• A pan to catch the oil
• A wrench of appropriate size for the oil plug
• *Optional* Oil filter wrench
• 5-8 quarts of oil depending on the make and model of your vehicle

Draining the Oil:

1. It is generally good practice to plan an oil change a few hours after driving the
vehicle. You want the oil to be warm but not hot. If this is too difficult it is still ok to
do the change when the engine is cold.

2. Remove the oil fill cap located at the top of the engine.

3. Place the oil pan beneath the drain plug allowing for an arc due to pressure.

4. Place the wrench on the drain plug and slowly turn the plug counterclockwise two
full turns.

5. Remove the wrench and use your fingers to continue to turn the plug until free.
Be sure to remove the plug quickly once free to minimize splash from the oil.

6. Allow the oil to drain until the stream is reduced to a drop every few seconds.

7. Once drained replace the drain plug by turning clockwise.

Replacing the Oil Filter:
1. The oil filter should be located somewhere on the side of your engine and is
usually stands out due to its color.

2. Once the oil filter is located use your hands or oil filter wrench to loosen the oil
filter by turning counterclockwise in most cases.

3. Be aware that though the oil has been drained it is likely that there will be
residual oil in the filter and may leak while being removed.

4. Once the filter is free, lay it in the oil pan so you don’t spill any oil.

5. Before replacing the filter with a new one, dip a finger in the oil and apply some
oil to the gasket of the new filter.

6. Replace the filter by reversing the rotation required to remove the previous filter.
The filter just needs to be snug so there is no need to over tighten the new filter.
Replacing the Oil:
1. Now that the plug and the filter have been replaced back onto the engine you just
need to add the new oil to the engine. Locate the oil fill hole that you removed the
cap of earlier and place the funnel into the hole.

2. Pour the precise amount of oil stated by the manufacturer. It is vital to have the
correct amount of oil in the engine.

3. Once all oil is poured replace the cap to a snug fit.

4. Now that the oil has been changed you just need to start your car and let it idle
for a couple minutes to allow for the new oil to circulate.