How to Change the Oil in Your Car

The most important thing that you can do to extend the life of your car is change its oil on a regular basis.  On most vehicles, you should change the oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Here's how it's done.

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools.
To change your car's oil you will need the following items:

    
• 3/8 socket set

    
• Combination wrench set

    
• oil filter wrench

    
• pan or bucket to catch the oil

    
• funnel

    
• new oil filer

    
• enough oil to fill your engine

    
• a new ceiling washer for the oil plug

    
• old newspapers and rags
      

Step 2: Warm up your car's oil.
Drive your car around the block a few times to heat up the oil before changing it.  This will help it to drain better.

Step 3: Park your vehicle and get to work.
Park your vehicle in a level place, turn off its engine, put it in gear, set the parking brake, and get to work.

Step 4: Put your car up on jack stands if necessary.
You may need to put your vehicle up on jack stands so that you can get under it.  Never ever work on a vehicle that's only held up by a regular jack.  If you do you run the risk of having your vehicle fall on you.

Step 5: Locate the oil drain plug.
Now slide under the car and locate the oil drain plug.  It should be the closest thing to the ground, a large nut with a slim washer.  Caution, it may be hot.  If you have trouble finding it, your vehicle's owner's manual will tell you where it's located.

Step 6: Drain the oil.
Spread newspaper on the ground under the drain plug to keep your garage floor or driveway from getting stained.  Then find a socket that fits over the drain nut.  Turn the socket counterclockwise to loosen the nut and once you have it turning work it slightly loose with your fingers.  Put the drain pan under the plug and let the oil run out for around two minutes.

Step 7: Remove the oil filter.
Now slip the oil filter wrench over the oil filter and turn it counterclockwise.  Once it begins turning, you can unscrew it the rest of the way by hand.  Be careful, the oil inside is very hot.  Pour the contents into the drain pan.

Step 8: Remove the oil filter cap.
Slide out from under the car, pop your vehicle's hood, and remove the oil filter cap.  This will help the oil to drain faster.  Take a break and let the oil completely drain out.

Step 9: Install the new oil filter.
It's time to head back under your vehicle.  Make sure to bring the new oil filter with you.  Dip your finger into the oil drain pan and coat the bottom of the new filter with oil to help it set better against the engine block.  Then with a clean rag, wipe off the filter area and screw the new one in.  Use your hand to tighten it as tight as you can, but don't use the oil filter wrench.

Step 10: Put the plug back in.
Now put a new sealing washer on the drain plug and thread it back into its hole.  Tighten it
with the socket wrench, but not too tight or you'll have a hard time getting it off the next
time you want to change your oil (trust me I found this one out the hard way ;) )

Step 11:  Fill your vehicle with oil.
Slide the drain pan out from under your vehicle.  Finally use the funnel to fill put in the
new oil.

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