1. Changing the oil in a car is a routine service procedure that almost everyone can do himself or herself. Some drivers may not be able to if they suffer from a physical disability that will keep them from crawling around under their car. You should change oil every 3,000 miles or every 30 days, whichever comes first. With every third oil change, you should also change the engine oil filter as part of oil change procedure.

    Tools and Supplies Needed
    A set of vehicle service ramps. Service ramps are easy to use. Using a hydraulic jack and a set of jack stands to support your vehicle safely takes more time to master. Even a beginner can use them safely. All you do is drive your vehicle up on the ramps, place the gear selector in "Park" and set the handbrake. Service ramps capable of supporting up to 10,000 pounds can be had for less than $60 and will last a lifetime of hard use. After service ramps investing in a Mechanic’s Creeper is a good investment. A creeper is not mandatory but it will make moving around under a vehicle easier. Being able to roll around on casters will save wear and tear on your clothing

    You will also need an oil drain pan, oil filter wrench, 12-inch adjustable wrench, mechanic’s gloves, safety goggles, shop rags, oil, and oil filter.

    Preparing To Change Oil
    Have your significant other or a helper guide you up on the service ramps. Place the transmission in "Park," set the "Parking" brake, and let the engine idle for a few minutes. You need to have the engine oil at operating temperature so it will carry the sludge that collected in the oil sump out with it. To change oil you need to take a few safety precautions.

    Always wear Mechanic’s Gloves. OK, you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, the gloves are to protect your fingers from the hot oil, not to keep your hands clean. No matter how careful you are there is no way to remove an oil pan drain plug without getting some hot oil on your fingers.

    Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from the hot oil. Working cautiously you may never get a drop of hot oil on them but all it takes is one accident to send you to the ER. Hot oil can blind you.

    How To Change Oil
    1. Shut the engine down. Place the oil drain pan beneath and slightly behind the oil pan drain plug. Loosen the drain plug using the adjustable wrench. Positioning yourself to one side of the drain pan, finish unscrewing he drain plug with your fingers.

    1. When the oil has finished draining, replace the oil pan drain plug. Use care to not over tighten the drain plug because it is very easy to strip the thread out in an aluminum oil pan.
    2. Slide the oil drain pan under the oil filter and loosen the filter slowly, letting the oil drain into the pan. Finish unscrewing it by hand. Use caution because there may still be oil inside the filter can.
    3. Wipe the filters mounting flange clean with a shop rag. Coat the gasket on the new filter with new engine oil and screw in place. Hand tightens the new filter.
    4. Remove the drain pan, the old oil filter, and your tools from under the car. Fill the crankcase with the required quantity of oil. Restart the engine and check for leaks around the drain plug and around the oil filter.
    5. Back the car off the service ramps. Pour the oil in a recycling container and place the oil filter in a plastic bag. Take the oil and oil filter to your auto center for proper disposal.

    Change oil every 3,000 miles and the oil filter every 9,000 miles will add thousands of miles of trouble free life to the engine in your car. It is easy to do and you can do it yourself in thirty minutes on a Saturday morning.
     

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