I want to change the oil in my car all by myself! What do i do??

Answer 1

if you've never done it before AND if you have never seen anyone do it, I would recommend asking someone to walk you through it (i.e. watch someone do it!). Basically, here are the steps:

1. Go to store and buy oil and filter (latter is optional)
2. Put on old clothes that you will never wear again
3. Jack up the front portion of the car
4. Go under the car and remove the oil cap. Let drain for 15-20 min into a pan. Careful not to get it in your eyes.
5. Put cap back on
6. put car back down
7. put 4 quarts of oil into your car (you must lift up the hood for this)
8. replace oil filter (this is optional)
9. You're ready to go!!! Also, despose of dirty oil into containers and take in for recycling/desposing

Answer 2

Well you will need some tools and new oil and a new oil filter.
Tool wise you will need a car jack, socket wrench, an oil wrench, and an oil drain pan.
First use the car jack to jack up the front part of the car. Now find the oil plug under the car and unscrew it with the socket wrench and let the oil drain into the oil pan. Then use the oil wrench to take the oil filter out, it will have some oil in it as well let that drain. When the oil has finished draining put the oil plug back on the car just lightly with the socket wrench not to over tighten and put the new oil filter on the car only using your hand, making it hand tight.
Then you can lower the car back down. Open the hood and put the new oil in your car. You car use the oil dip stick to see if you have put enough in the car.
The type of oil, the oil filter size, and the socket and oil filter wrenches you use depend on the car. You car ask some at the car parts store to make sure you get the right stuff.
This should be done with the car cold; if you were just driving it and went to change the oil the oil would be hot and could burn you. And always be care full when working under a car. If you can have some one help you at least to watch to make sure nothing bad happens that would be good. Good luck!
Ask more question if your not sure.

Answer 3

Go to the auto store and see what oil filter fits your car. They have books hanging from the shelves that you can use to look up your care by make, model, and year (and get the filter number). Or you can just ask a sales clerk.

Park your car on a level surface. Craw under the car and losen the bolt (oil drain plug) on the bottom of the oil pan with a standard wrench, and let the oil run out into a container. The oil will probably be hot! Make sure that the container can hold 4-5 quarts. A big flat oil drainage pan from any auto parts store will do. Most auto parts stores allow you to return used oil for recycling.

Replace the oil drain plug, and use an oil filter wrench to remove the old oil filter. It will be filled with oil and will also be hot. Take the new oil filter, and rub some oil on the gasket (the paper ring around the top) to wet it. Screw in the filter.

Replace the oil through the oil filter cap on top of the engine. It usually takes 5 quarts. After replacing the oil, start the engine, and let it run for 30 seconds. Cut off the engine, and check the oil level on the dipstick.

Answer 4

it is such a dirty job. first get a pan to catch the oil. get the right filter and a case of the right weight oil. put your car up on secure ramps. with pan under oil pan, undo bolt (drain plug) on bottom of oil pan. while that is draining, change the oil filter. Make sure that you put some new oil around the threads of the new filter. After oil is all drained out, put the plug back in. refill oil. keep checking so as not to over fill. should take 3-4 quarts. if you don't have a manual for your car to tell you how many quarts, just put 3 in. after awhile, check oil level again and add from there. Oil change places also check all your fluids, lube, and check tire pressure. some even wash your windows and vacuum your car for ya. seems so worth it. i often have trouble finding places who will take my dirty oil from me. by the way, you need to put the oil into a container. (old milk jug?)

Answer 5

The best advise that i can give you is not to do it your self. If you need detailed instructions on how to change the oil then you will forget something and cause real damage to the engine.

You need to know how tight to install the oil filter,

locating the oil filter,

to make sure that the old filters gasket came off,

put a film of oil on the new gasket before screwing it on to avoid binding and gasket slipping off,

locating the drain plug

being careful not to over tighten or cross thread the pan drain plug,

adding the proper amount of oil,

how to read the dipstick,

and where to add the oil.

Pressure testing and checking for leaks.

If you value your car make sure it is done right.

Answer 6

Get a drain pan for the used oil to drain into. Then locate the oil drain plug (bottom of the engine, in the oil pan) unscrew this with the appropriate wrench/socket then locate the oil filter, location varies by make & model, but typically somewhere on the bottom of the enigne area (looks like a metal can on most cars) remove that and install a new one. Fill engine with the correct amount of oil (can be found in your owners manual) and you are done....

Good Luck & I am proud of you for taking some initative!!!

Answer 7

Get 4 quarts of oil, an oil filter, an oil filter wrench, a socket set, and a drain bucket.
1. climb under car look for the large bolt at the bottom of the oil pan
2. Put drain bucket directly underneath bolt and start taking bolt out
3. Drain all the oil into the drain bucket, remove bucket
4. Take off oil filter and replace bolt in the oil pan
5. Put on new oil filter and then pour new oil into the head(after removing cap where oil goes of course)
6. Check oil level after third quart and continue to pour it in until oil dipstick reads full
7. Replace cap and you are done

Answer 8

put the front of the car on ramps
put something under the oil pan to catch the old oil
remove the drain plug
remove the filter
replace the drain plug
replace the filter (with a new filter)
fill with oil (from the top)

Answer 9

You lift up the car.

You find the oil pan.

You unscrew the oil pan.

Take it down SLOWLY. CAUTION: MIGHT SPILL

Flush oil and dispose properly.

Screw back on.

Refill with new oil.

Good luck!! :)

Answer 10

good question are you ready to get dirty is the first thing second the year make and model will help make this alot easier. and 20 bucks at jiffy lube seems easier