Changing the oil in a car is one of the simplest tasks one can do to maintain their vehicle, yet most people still prefer to pay someone else to do it. Why is that? Take a look at this step by step guide for changing your own oil and see if you have what it takes!

1. Change Your Oil!
You want your car to actually get you places, right?
Or your car will die a slow and painful death…

2. Changing your own oil is an easy task
as long as you aren’t afraid to get
your hands dirty.
Here’s what
you need:
Drip pan to catch the oil - Funnel
Ramps or a jack - Fresh oil filter
The right oil, and the right amount

3. Before You Start…
You need to lift your car up
*You can use a jack but only if you already know how to use it,
as a poorly placed jack can do a lot of damage

4. Empty Your Old Oil
First, remove the oil cap
on top of the engine,
which should look
something like the picture
to the left.
Then get under your car
and find the oil drain
plug as pictured here.
You will need a wrench
to loosen this.

5. Make sure your
drip pan is set
up and finish
removing the
drain plug by
hand. Stay out
of the way as oil
will start
pouring out
immediately!
Let the oil
drain out
completely,
which takes
about two
minutes for
most cars.

6. Now It’s Time to Remove the Old Filter
The hardest part of this step is finding it. There’s no standard position for where filters
go, so the easiest way is just to look at your new oil filter and look under your car for
something that looks similar.
Filters can usually be removed by hand. If not, use a filter wrench.
You want to remove the filter just as slowly as you did
the oil plug, since oil will stream out of here as well.
Make sure your drip pan is still in place too!

7. If not, just tighten it with your fingers
until it stops turning, then give it one
more strong half turn.
Now you’re ready to put the new filter in.
Some filters come with instructions on how
many turns it needs…
*Make sure to replace the oil plug as well, using a wrench.

8. It’s time to refill the
engine with fresh oil
Place your funnel in the oil filler hole that you
removed the cap from earlier and slowly pour
the proper amount of oil in.
Then screw on the oil cap, and close the hood.

9. Now start your car and
let it run for a few
minutes to allow your
engine to regain proper
oil pressure and check if
you have any leaks near
your oil plug or filter.
Congratulations,
you just changed
your own oil!