Performing an oil change on your vehicle is not as hard as you may think. Be sure to check your owners manual for certain information such as the capacity [amount of oil] to be added to your car. Also check for the type of oil [usually 5W30] that the manufacturer suggests using in your vehicle. You may want to use a higher viscosity in the summer and the recommended 5W30 in the colder weather.
Make sure to perform the oil change while your car is still warm, as to achieve proper drainage of dirty engine oil. The first step is to loosen and remove the drain plug, underneath the car, from the pan. Make sure to have a catch basin under the drain hole to catch all the dirty oil. A socket wrench is best used to loosen the drain plug. After all the dirty oil has drained, replace the drain plug.
Next locate the oil filter. Using your hands or an oil filter wrench loosen and remove the filter. Dispose of the dirty filter and used engine oil properly according to EPA standards. Using your finger smear some clean engine oil around the gasket of the new filter. Hand tighten new filter onto stud where the old filter was removed. Find the engine oil added cap under the hood and remove. Add the appropriate amount of new engine oil and replace the cap. Clean up as needed. Next check oil level with dip stick to make sure correct level is achieved. Replace Dip Stick. Start car and test drive.
Tools Needed:
Socket Wrench
Oil Filter Wrench
Catch Basin
Rags
Supplies:
Motor Oil
Filter
