how do i change my own oil on my car

^{Steps for changing your oil}

• Check the type and amount of oil needed
• Get together your filter, wrenches, and other supplies
• Prepare your vehicle
• Locate the oil filter and drain plug
• Drain the oil
• Tighten the drain plug
• Change the oil filter
• Add the new oil
• Check the oil level

Full Answer

How do you change your own oil?

Locating the oil drain plug is one of the first steps in changing your own oil. After adding the right amount of oil, replace the oil-filler cap, turn you car on, and run your engine for a minute. Check to make certain the oil-warning light doesn’t stay on and look under the car to make sure oil isn’t leaking.

How do you change the oil in a car with Jack stands?

Jack up the car, set the jack stands in place, and lower the car. Pro tip: If you’re on asphalt, place squares of plywood under the jack stands for support. Unscrew the plug and quickly pull it out and away from the oil stream. Clean the drain plug and install a new gasket (if required).

How do you add oil to a car engine?

Adding New Oil Add new oil to the car at the fill hole. The amount you need is in the owner's manual, usually listed under "capacities.". Replace the fill cap. Check around for any loose tools you might have left around and close the hood. Start the engine. Watch to be sure the oil pressure light goes off after start-up.

How do I change the oil in my Toyota Corolla?

Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap. Look under your vehicle for the drain plug and set a pan under the plug. 3. Drain the Oil Use a wrench to remove the plug and drain the oil. Inspect the plug and plug gasket. Replace if necessary. 4. Slow to a Drip Drain the oil until it slows to a drip. Note: Warm oil drains more quickly. 5.

Can I change my car's oil by myself?

Changing the oil in your car is something that any DIYer can do. Although changing the oil might appear rather “duh,” there are still a lot of folks doing it wrong, making it an ugly chore. An oil change is the most important task you can do to make your engine last.

How do I change the oil in my car at home?

4:1220:28How to Change Your Oil (COMPLETE Guide) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we have the correct oil filter. Let's get underneath this car. And i'm going to show you how toMoreAnd we have the correct oil filter. Let's get underneath this car. And i'm going to show you how to jack the car up first. And then i'm going to use the ramps because that's what i prefer. So an oil

Is it worth doing an oil change by yourself?

On a cost basis, if you own one of the more popular mainstream vehicles and usually get two or three oil changes done annually, you're likely to save less than $20 each on average between the costs of having this service done at an independent shop or oil change chain and doing it yourself.

Is it easy to change your own oil?

It's a simple process that requires few tools, and it's a sure way to save some money while you avoid the hassle of sitting in a dull waiting room somewhere reading outdated magazines. More than anything, the basic oil change is a great way to connect with your vehicle and take some control over its maintenance.

What happens if you put new oil on top of old oil?

What happens if you put new oil on top of old oil? When you mix new and old oil, the new oil becomes “watered down” with the lack of interfacial tension and strains to do its' job. Be sure to have your oil changed as soon as possible.

How much should an oil change cost?

between $35 and $75Typically, an oil and filter change using conventional oil will cost between $35 and $75, depending on your area. If your car requires synthetic oil, you should expect to pay more (anywhere from $65 to $125) but you make up some of the cost, since synthetic oil lasts longer and has to be changed less frequently.

How much does a oil change cost?

Top-quality synthetic oil alone can cost between $20 and $30 for a five-quart bottle, so don't be surprised if an oil change with filter repacement runs $75. To confirm that price range, we checked four locations that do oil changes—one of them a dealer—near our Ann Arbor, Michigan, office.

Is it cheaper to bring your own oil for an oil change?

In our research, we found that mechanic shops that do give a discount for bringing your own oil will charge about $59.46 – and the cheapest oil we found would mean you'd save about $34. But if you can get cheaper oil or a cheaper service price, you'll save much more.

What happens if you change the oil but not the filter?

0:034:58Here's What Happens if You Don't Change Your Engine Oil FilterYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWill. It's dealt there's the dirt out and eventually it will stop filtering the crowd out. And thenMoreWill. It's dealt there's the dirt out and eventually it will stop filtering the crowd out. And then if it really gets bad it could plug all up and you'd lose a lot of oppression.

Is it better to change your own oil?

So, is it cheaper to change your own oil? By doing this task yourself, you'll save between $25 and $75 per oil change, depending on the type of oil and filter you use.

How do you change the oil filter without a wrench?

0:124:22N Ways To Remove An Oil Filter Without Special Tool, DIY - in 4K UHDYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just use a hoe like this and turn it like this thank you today you don't have this lying aroundMoreYou just use a hoe like this and turn it like this thank you today you don't have this lying around nor other battles.

Do I need to jack up my car for an oil change?

Do not use a jack to hold the car up! Only once you are certain of the car being secured on stands should you proceed to change your oil. Do not lean on the car or into the engine bay when it is up in the air. When you're ready to let the car down, jack it up back to front, and remove jacks two at a time to let it down.

Steps For Changing Your Oil

1. Check the type and amount of oil needed 2. Get together your filter, wrenches, and other supplies 3. Prepare your vehicle 4. Locate the oil filt...

Check The Type and Amount of Oil Needed

Before heading to the auto parts store to buy supplies, consult the owner's manual to confirm the type and amount of oil that's required.The amount...

Get Together Your Filter, Wrenches, and Other Supplies

In addition to oil, you'll need an oil filter, an oil-filter removal wrench, a wrench to remove the drain plug, a funnel, a drain pan and some glov...

Locate The Oil Filter and Drain Plug

Now it's time to locate the oil filter and drain plug. The vast majority of cars have a bottom-mount screw-on filter, such as the one shown here.In...

How to get rid of oil spills in car?

Pull the Oil Plug. Start by spreading plastic sheeting on the ground. Then drive your car on top of it. This will eliminate oil spill cleanup work since you can just toss the entire sheet when you’re done, or keep it for the next change if you’re lucky enough to go spill-free.

What to do before going to auto parts store?

Pro tip: Before you head off to the auto parts store, consult your owner’s manual for the type and weight of oil specific to your vehicle. It’s especially important to follow the carmaker’s recommendations for oil viscosity.

How long is an oil filter good for?

While it might seem like a money-saver, an economy oil filter is typically only good for around 3,000 miles. To extend oil life, use better quality filters if you go more than 3,000 miles between oil changes.

Is it important to change the oil in your car?

Although changing the oil might appear rather “duh,” there are still a lot of folks doing it wrong, making it an ugly chore. An oil change is the most important task you can do to make your engine last.

Is it complicated to change oil?

An oil change isn’t complicated — you probably did it yourself years ago. But with oil change shops charging more and more, it’s time to get back under the car and start saving big bucks. Plus, you won’t be pressured into buying overpriced add-ons like wiper blades and PCV valves every time you go in for a oil change.

How to drain oil from a car?

Remember, there will be a lot of oil: Most cars have at least a gallon in their crankcase, and some a lot more. Remove the drain plug by loosening it (counterclockwise) with the proper wrench and unscrewing it. Hold on to the drain plug as you remove it; the oil will start pouring out as you pull it away from the oil pan. Allow the engine to drain for five minutes or until the flow of oil has slowed to a trickle .

How to check oil level on a car?

Checking your oil is simple: Pull the dipstick from its tube, wipe away all oil with a paper towel, reinsert the dipstick, remove the dipstick, and confirm that the oil is lined up with the full marking on the tip of the dipstick. Finally, start the vehicle and let it idle and warm up; check for leaks under the vehicle and around the oil filter.

What happens if you don't remove the gasket on a new oil filter?

This is particularly important; if the old gasket is not removed, the new filter won't seal properly, which typically ends with all of your new , fresh oil leaking onto the ground within minutes of startup, potentially starving the engine of oil and leading to catastrophe.

How to work under a car?

Step 1: Jack It Up, Open It Up. First, you'll want to lift the car high enough to give yourself room to work under it. Whether you use a hoist, ramps, or jack stands, make sure you are being absolutely safe. Never work under a car that is held up only by a floor jack.

Can you over tighten an oil pan?

Replace the drain plug and tighten it until it's snug, but not too much: Overtightening can cause damage to the oil pan and drain plug. Put some effort into tightening it, but not all of your strength. Some manufacturers have a torque spec that you can follow, using a torque wrench.

Why is it not necessary to change oil on a car?

It's going to come out quick and warm. If you miscalculate, it could dribble down your arm. This is another reason why it's best not to change oil when the engine and its oil are piping hot.

Why do you need an oil change?

More than anything, the basic oil change is a great way to connect with your vehicle and take some control over its maintenance. The time you spend under the hood and under the car affords you an excellent opportunity to look around and see if anything else needs attention.

What happens when you take the oil cap off?

When you remove the oil drain plug, things start getting messy. You can usually remove the drain plug with a common end wrench and a bit of muscle.

How much oil does a 2.0 liter EcoBoost need?

Make sure to match the oil's viscosity to your engine. The 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost requires 5W-30 oil. If I had read the manual carelessly, though, I could easily have brought home 5W-20 instead. That's the oil specified for the 3.5-liter V6 engine.

How many quarts of oil is needed for a 2012 Ford Explorer?

The amount is easy. Here, our 2012 Ford Explorer requires 5.7 quarts, so I'll buy six. Five-quart jugs are tempting because they are cheaper than smaller sizes, but I find them heavy and hard to pour steadily. And a huge container of leftover oil will take up a lot of shelf space.

Do you need to remove tires to raise a car?

If you need to raise the car for better access, this is a good time to do it. Make sure you install proper safety stands, of course. Oftentimes you don't need to remove tires, but I did it anyway so our photographer, Elon Schoenholz, could have a clear view of things.

Can you put oil under the drain plug?

With the preliminaries out of the way, it's time to drain the oil out of the engine. It's important to place the drain pan under the drain plug — but not directly under it. The angle of the drain plug will cause the oil to stream out at an angle, so I'm offsetting the pan to that side by several inches. If I were doing this outdoors, I would also account for wind. No, really. Those last wispy ribbons of oil can blow around and make a mess.

How to remove oil from car?

Slide the drain pan beneath the engine drain plug until it’s centered in place. The oil drain pan should hold at least twice as much oil as your engine takes, so that none of the liquid will spill over the sides of the pan when it’s pouring out of the car. 2. Remove the oil cap by unscrewing it counterclockwise.

How long does it take to change oil in a car?

Depending upon your driving habits and type of vehicle, this may take as few as 3 months or 3,000 miles (4,800 km), or as long as 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months. Fortunately, changing your oil is both easy and inexpensive, so the sooner you change the oil in your car if it needs it, the better. Steps.

How to keep your car running?

Regularly changing your car’s engine oil and filter are some of the most important things you can do to keep your car running well. Over time, your oil will break down and your filter will become clogged with contaminants.

Why remove oil cap before draining?

Removing the oil cap before you drain the oil will allow the liquid to drain out quickly, since it will have airflow both above and below it.

How to change oil on a car that doesn't have a jack?

3. Drive your vehicle up onto steel ramps if you don’t have a jack. Some people prefer to use steel ramps (rather than a jack) when they’re changing their oil. Situate the 2 ramps as far apart as your vehicle’s wheels are.

Where is the oil drain pan on a car?

Place the oil drain pan underneath the engine drain plug. Crouch down and look beneath the vehicle. The oil engine drain plug will be located within 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) of the front of the vehicle, and sits directly beneath the engine. It’s on the bottom of a large tank referred to as the oil pan. Slide the drain pan beneath the engine drain plug until it’s centered in place.

Where is the metal washer on the oil pan?

You’ll find a metal washer between the oil pan and the drain plug. Remove this as well and set it on the ground next to you.