How to Change Your Motor Oil

as engine oils break down your service
charges can add up with a few simple
steps you can change your motor oil
yourself saving time and money
auto manufacturers recommend a motor oil
change every six thousand miles for
normal service or every 3,000 miles for
severe service check out your car owners
manual run the cars engine for 10
minutes before you drain the oil because
warm oil has drains faster than cold oil
park the car on a level surface engage
the parking brake then turn off the
engine note that modern engines run at
high temperatures hot oil can burn you
easily so let the engine cool down if
your car has a low clearance raise it by
driving it up onto a ramp or by jacking
it up securely never get under a car
supported by only one jack you only to
jack stands to support the front of the
car after jacking it up crawl underneath
the car locate the oil drain plug
underneath the engine usually by the
front center of the car consult your car
owner’s manual for this specific
location place an oil drain pan under
the plug and loosen the plug with a
socket wrench remove the bolts turning
counterclockwise use your hand to remove
the plug bracing yourself for a rush of
hot oil you may need to reposition the
pen to catch some unexpected drips when
the oil stops draining replace the plug
gasket to reinstall the drain plug
turning the bolts or screws clockwise
with your fingers avoid crossing the
threads if it seems even slightly hard
to turn back it out wipe off the drain
plug tighten with a wrench or socket
again without overdoing it now replace
the oil filter locate the existing one
probably on the side of the engine place
the oil pan underneath the filter to
catch leftover oil turning
counterclockwise use an adjustable oil
filter wrench to unscrew the old filter
making sure you get it from the rubber
seal clean off the area with a rag
apply a thin coat of oil to the new
filters gasket to help it seal better
install the new oil filter first make
contact with the gasket screwing the new
filter into place by hand use the oil
filter wrench to Snug it up another
quarter turn tighten it too much and
you’ll have a hard time removing it
tighten it too little and you’ll have a
gush of oil when you run your vehicle
unlatch the hood of the car and find the
oil filler cap checking the valve covers
remove the cap insert a funnel and add
the new oil most engines hold four or
five quarts if you add too much your car
may stall
replace the cap run the engine the oil
warning light should go out otherwise
check the dipstick add oil if need be
look for oil leaks if you see any
tighten the plug or oil filter wipe off
the oil and you’re done do not dump old
oil anywhere take it to a recycling
center or an auto repair shop