A How to Guide on Oil Change
By Rob Inahuazo
The average American doesn’t change their car’s oil; instead they go to their mechanic, spend unnecessary amounts of money and wait in long lines. So PLEASE, don’t continue to read this article if you like these conditions. My personal experience is that the last time I took my car to a local spot in Rexburg, I was charged $45 and that was with a coupon, after waiting for an hour.
Step #1 How do I know when I need an oil change?
1. You should always look to your owner’s manual for any fluids or adjustments that your car may need. Most owners’ manuals read (Recommendation: Change oil every 3,000-6,000 miles or every 4-6 months).
i. Every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, in my opinion is a good rule of thumb.
Step #2 Draining used oil:
1. First you’ll need to sort out all of the tools and materials needed, the following is a list of a few things you’ll need.
i. Oil recipient-this will be used to collect the old oil so it should be something you don’t mind getting dirty. The space under the car if you’re jacking it up will be limited, so a container that’s perhaps shorter in height but wider.
ii. Wrench-there are different types, sizes and colors. For this purpose a very basic standard wrench will do.
iii. Gloves-An old pair of work gloves will do, while this isn’t vital it is recommended especially when doing your first oil change. An old rag may be nice to have as well, for any spills.
iv. Safety items-A jack that will hold the weight of your car, check the fine print. Chocks which serve as a blocking system for your car not to roll off, bricks and wooden blocks usually do the trick. Jack stands should also be placed.
The average American doesn’t change their car’s oil; instead they go to their mechanic, spend unnecessary amounts of money and wait in long lines. So PLEASE, don’t continue to read this article if you like these conditions. My personal experience is that the last time I took my car to a local spot in Rexburg, I was charged $45 and that was with a coupon, after waiting for an hour.
Step #1 How do I know when I need an oil change?
1. You should always look to your owner’s manual for any fluids or adjustments that your car may need. Most owners’ manuals read (Recommendation: Change oil every 3,000-6,000 miles or every 4-6 months).
i. Every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, in my opinion is a good rule of thumb.
Step #2 Draining used oil:
1. First you’ll need to sort out all of the tools and materials needed, the following is a list of a few things you’ll need.
i. Oil recipient-this will be used to collect the old oil so it should be something you don’t mind getting dirty. The space under the car if you’re jacking it up will be limited, so a container that’s perhaps shorter in height but wider.
ii. Wrench-there are different types, sizes and colors. For this purpose a very basic standard wrench will do.
iii. Gloves-An old pair of work gloves will do, while this isn’t vital it is recommended especially when doing your first oil change. An old rag may be nice to have as well, for any spills.
iv. Safety items-A jack that will hold the weight of your car, check the fine print. Chocks which serve as a blocking system for your car not to roll off, bricks and wooden blocks usually do the trick. Jack stands should also be placed.
Below you can view a picture of an oil recipient and jack stands, both of which you can actually purchase at automotive shops or in the Automotive Department at Wal-Mart.
2. You’ll have to get your car high enough to fit under it, so you’ll lift it with the jack and place your jack stands for added security.
3. You should place the recipient you chose under the oil drain location. This compartment can be found towards the front of your car. It has a single bolt, once you’ve located this bolt, you must unfasten it, this is where you’ll wrench comes into play. Refer to picture below for location of engine oil pan and a type of wrench.
4. Wait for all the oil to drain. Once you have acquired all the old oil, you can pay most auto shops to dispose of it for you, for a small fee or you can take it to Wal-Mart and they do it for free.
3. You should place the recipient you chose under the oil drain location. This compartment can be found towards the front of your car. It has a single bolt, once you’ve located this bolt, you must unfasten it, this is where you’ll wrench comes into play. Refer to picture below for location of engine oil pan and a type of wrench.
4. Wait for all the oil to drain. Once you have acquired all the old oil, you can pay most auto shops to dispose of it for you, for a small fee or you can take it to Wal-Mart and they do it for free.
Step #3 Replacing Oil Filter
1. While you are waiting for oil to drain, locate the oil filter as it will be your next task.
2. Once you’ve located this filter which is found in different places depending on the make and model of the car, you should be able to unscrew it with your hands. It may take a little tugging or even a rag for better grip, if needed.
3. Screw new filter on, never rely on tools to screw it on because it could strip the top part of the filter or worse, damage your car.
Step #4 Flushing old oil:
1. With the pan filled with old oil still in place, you should pour new oil from the top. If you can’t locate the exact location inside your car for oil, you can always pull out the dipstick for oil and pour it through there. This step should be repeated until oil below drips in the color it was sold to you.
i. You’ll know the difference in that the old oil will probably be darker; the color will depend on how long it’s been since your last oil change.
Step #5 Finishing:
1. Screw the bolt from the engine oil pan back on, slowly, to assure you don’t strip it.
2. Most cars will take at least four liters of oil when emptied.
i. In this case, you can fill it up to a certain point and then check the level until it reaches a point between, (min & max) other dipsticks will have an “F” for full and “L” for low. This can be viewed on your dipstick which you will pull out to check.
3. Once the bolt has been tightened, the oil poured in to a satisfactory level and the dipstick placed back in, you’re done. For visual of dipstick, refer to pictures below.
1. While you are waiting for oil to drain, locate the oil filter as it will be your next task.
2. Once you’ve located this filter which is found in different places depending on the make and model of the car, you should be able to unscrew it with your hands. It may take a little tugging or even a rag for better grip, if needed.
3. Screw new filter on, never rely on tools to screw it on because it could strip the top part of the filter or worse, damage your car.
Step #4 Flushing old oil:
1. With the pan filled with old oil still in place, you should pour new oil from the top. If you can’t locate the exact location inside your car for oil, you can always pull out the dipstick for oil and pour it through there. This step should be repeated until oil below drips in the color it was sold to you.
i. You’ll know the difference in that the old oil will probably be darker; the color will depend on how long it’s been since your last oil change.
Step #5 Finishing:
1. Screw the bolt from the engine oil pan back on, slowly, to assure you don’t strip it.
2. Most cars will take at least four liters of oil when emptied.
i. In this case, you can fill it up to a certain point and then check the level until it reaches a point between, (min & max) other dipsticks will have an “F” for full and “L” for low. This can be viewed on your dipstick which you will pull out to check.
3. Once the bolt has been tightened, the oil poured in to a satisfactory level and the dipstick placed back in, you’re done. For visual of dipstick, refer to pictures below.
Types of Oil:
Today’s engine oils are “multi-viscosity” oils—for example 5W-30 or 10W-40. If the oil has a viscosity, or weight, of 5W-30, it is formulated to act as a 5 weight oil in the winter and a 30 weight oil in the summer. The oil will be thin enough to flow in the winter, but thick enough to provide lubrication in the summer. As a result you can usually use the same weight of oil, year round. Your owner’s manual will usually have a recommendation for the weight of oil your car should take, always check there first.
If you follow these steps you’ll be doing your oil change in less than ten minutes for roughly $16 or less. It all depends on the type of oil your running. Some brands will be more expensive than others, depending on the brand and additives. My personal preference is Valvoline and for filter Mobil, which costs a few dollars more. Keep in mind that when you take your car in for an oil change, most companies use generic brands that cost them even less than that. With the money you’ll save you can pay for two to three oil changes.
If you follow these steps you’ll be doing your oil change in less than ten minutes for roughly $16 or less. It all depends on the type of oil your running. Some brands will be more expensive than others, depending on the brand and additives. My personal preference is Valvoline and for filter Mobil, which costs a few dollars more. Keep in mind that when you take your car in for an oil change, most companies use generic brands that cost them even less than that. With the money you’ll save you can pay for two to three oil changes.
