How do you change the oil in a car? - Answers (2024)

Oil changes are all essentially the same. Follow the numbers below, starting with a cool engine of course:

You will need:

• Rags
• Wrench for the drain plug.
• Oil Filter wrench or strap wrench (I've used a long strip of sandpaper before and this works well).
• Oil drip pan large enough to hold the capacity of your vehicle.
• A blue, two gallon fuel can - for the used oil.
• Replacement fuel filter.
• New oil - see your owner's manual for the proper viscosity, and perhaps brand.

Follow the numbers:

1. Jack the front of the vehicle and place on jack stands, or drive the vehicle up onto ramps and chock the rear wheels.
2. With the appropriate sized wrench, loosen--Do Not Remove--the drain plug. Have rags and the oil drip pan ready.
3. Place the oil drip pan beneath the drain plug. Be aware that the volume of oil in the oil pan will push the draining oil out away from the drain hole.
4. Let the oil drain into the pan, and locate the oil filter. You may be able to reach some easier from beneath the vehicle, while others are easier to reach from above. None are really located in convenient places in any vehicle built since the 1970's, so you may want to check the location before jacking the vehicle.
5. Once the oil pan has drained, replace the plug and tighten. Do Not Over Tighten, and make certain you do not cross-thread the plug.
6. Reposition the oil drip pan below the filter, and loosen the old filter.
7. Pull the old filter away from the filter mount and tip the threads up. Remove the oil filter, but remember it holds oil and if you tip it down, you make a mess. You can reduce this if you can manage to place a rag over the open end.
8. Lube the gasket and threads on the new filter with a small amount of oil from a new bottle of oil.
9. Position the new filter on the mount, careful not to cross-thread it, and hand tighten it 3/4 turn after it makes contact with the mounting surface. Do not over tighten it.
10. Add the oil your vehicle calls for less 1/2 quart.
11. Check for dripping oil under the vehicle. A sheet of cardboard can help at this point.
12. If no drips are present, start the engine and check quickly for leaks.
13. Shut the engine off. Let the vehicle sit for a 30 minutes. Check the oil level on the dip stick.
14. Add the remaining oil if necessary.
15. Remember the blue fuel can? Transfer the used oil from the drip pan to the blue fuel can and seal it. You should be able to find a used oil depot at a gas station, auto repair shop, oil change shop, some waste management locations, or a recycling station. Be certain to dispose of it properly, less than half a cup spilled can taint groundwater, and the EPA and most states' DEQ frown on improper dumping, usually with a heavy fine.

Watch your vehicle for the next day or so for leaks and you should be all set.