what is the tool i need to change the oil in my F150 1997?

Question

Is there anywhere online i can find a illustration of how to do this. ive never done it before and im trying to save money anyway i can.

Answer 1

How to Change Your Motor

Plan to change your motor oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. However, you may want to do it more often if you've been driving in very hot and/or dusty conditions.


Getting Ready

Steps:
1. Gather necessary tools and materials (refer to Necessary Items list). If you plan to change your oil regularly, consider investing in jack stands, a socket set and an oil drain pan.

2. Run the car's engine for 10 minutes before you drain the oil. Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.

3. Park the car on a level surface, engage the parking brake and turn off the engine. If your car has a low clearance, raise it by driving it onto a ramp or by jacking it up and supporting it securely.

4. Open the hood and place the new oil and funnel on top of the engine to ensure that you won't forget to add oil afterwards (an expensive mistake that many do-it-yourselfers make!).

Tips:
Consult your owner's manual or an automotive parts specialist to find out the weight of oil and type of oil filter your car needs.

You'll need the year, make, model and mileage of your car if you go to an auto parts store.


Warnings:
Make sure the car is securely supported before you crawl underneath.

You will need two jack stands to support the front of your car after jacking it up. Never get under a car that is supported only by a jack! A pair of jack stands costs less than $20.

Draining the Oil and Changing the Oil Filter

Steps:
1. Crawl under the car once it is securely supported.

2. Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine, usually near the front center of the car. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location.

3. Place the oil drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench. Remember: turn counterclockwise to remove bolts.

4. Remove the plug by hand. Be prepared for the rush of hot oil!

5. Let the oil drain into the pan. Hold onto the plug.

6. Reposition the pan, if necessary, to catch all the dripping oil.

7. Wipe off the drain plug and the plug opening when the oil finishes draining.

8. Replace the drain plug gasket.

9. Reinstall the plug. Always start threading any bolts or screws by hand to prevent cross threading.

10. Tighten with a wrench or socket. Be careful not to overtighten the plug.

11. Locate the existing oil filter. Oil filters are usually on the side of the engine.

12. Position the oil pan underneath the filter to catch any remaining oil.

13. Use an adjustable oil filter wrench to unscrew the old oil filter.

14. Use a rag to wipe the area where the filter mounts to the engine. Make sure the rubber seal of the old filter is not stuck to the engine.

15. Use some new oil to lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter. (Image 1)

16. Screw the new filter into place by hand. It's usually not necessary to tighten the oil filter with the oil filter wrench, but have it at the ready if you're grip's not strong (or large) enough.


click photos to enlarge
1.




Tips:
Wear gloves to remove the plug if it's hot.

It's always best to replace the oil drain plug gasket.

Use the right size wrench or socket. Don't use an adjustable wrench: you can strip the bolt.


Warnings:
Handle hot automotive oil with extreme care.

Be careful when removing the old oil filter. It's full of oil.

Installing New Oil and Cleaning Up

Steps:
1. Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine. Remove it.

2. Place the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil. Typically, you will use 4 to 5 quarts of oil. Check your manual for the correct oil capacity.

3. Replace the cap when you're finished.

4. Run the engine for a minute, then check the dipstick. Add more oil if necessary.

5. Check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for oil leaks. Tighten the plug or oil filter if you find leakage.

6. Use rags and newspapers to wipe away excess oil.

7. Pour the used oil into a plastic container after the used oil cools.

8. Dispose the used oil properly: either bring it to a recycling center or an auto repair shop that can recycle it for you. Don't pour it down the sewer!

Tips:
Record the date and mileage after you change the oil so you will know when your car is due for another oil change. It helps to put a small sticker on your windshield to remind you.


Warnings:
Handle hot motor oil with extreme caution.

Only dispose of used motor oil and filters at authorized locations.

Tips from eHow Users:
First timers by eHow Friend
When you crawl under that car, make sure you know exactly what you are draining. There are two pans under the front of your car. One is your oil, and one is your transmission. How can you tell the difference? Generally the oil pan is directly under your engine, from underneath your car it should be near the oil filter. If you unscrew the drain plug and a pinkish liquid starts coming out - you got the transmission drain. Dirty motor oil is a wonderful, rich, brown color. Hopefully that saves some first timers the trouble I... ahem! I mean, other first timers have caused themselves.

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


How to change oil by eHow Friend
Change the oil after regular driving to avoid idling the car to warm up the engine. Take a good look at the position of the oil plug's location, on my car it is on the passenger side of the oil pan. Use a ramps or jack stands to "lean the car" toward the plug, much in the way you would to get the last bit of water out of a water jug spigot to ensure full drainage.
Use a Fram Sure Drain Plug, it replaces the regular oil plug for one that twists off a protective cap and just hand screw a hose with a special end that releases the oil when it is fully seated. This avoids the unwelcome splatter and you can aim it directly into any opened container without worrying it trickling away from the opening - they can be found at WalMart. If you use a regular plug, use the box end of a wrench to avoid rounding the corners with the open end, use a ratchet when possible with a pull motion to avoid stripping your knuckles. Let the oil drain for at least a 15-30 minutes, the longer the better - the most contaminated oil are the last few drops. While it drains use this time to check the tires, belts, boots, lights, spare tire, etc.
Always change the oil filter, they're cheap, the old one may be full of contaminants. Clean the engine filter seat (you don't won't to contaminate a new filter) and hand tighten "snug" to avoid using a oil filter wrench in the future after lubing the filter's seal w/ oil. Oil won't drip because the engine's heat will cause the filter and gasket to expand tightening the seal further. Cap the oil plug and fill by the amount recommended by your owner's manual w/ filter change.
Set the car back on level ground and wait ten minutes to check the oil level again. You can check it at five but many people jump the gun to check it, which is why I recommend ten. Check other fluids while your underneath the hood.
As always recycle your oil AND FILTER!

Answer 2

You will need a couple of key items. Go to an auto parts store and get the oil (probably 5 quarts) and filter. The auto parts counterperson can give you the correct items. You will need a wrench to remove the drain plug on the oil pan and a filter wrench as well as a pan of some type to catch the draining oil. You can get those at the auto parts store too. It is simple matter of removing the drain plug and letting all the oil drain into a pan. Once it has quit draining, you can spin off the old oil filter. After replacing the drain plug and filter, you can fill the vehicle with the correct amount of oil. I would add 4 quarts, wait a few minutes and then check the dipstick to see if you need to add more. Fill to the line.

You should be able to do this without lifting the truck. Get a large piece of cardboard to lay on the ground. That will help you slide under the vehicle while you work on it. Make sure to set the emergency brake or block the wheels so the truck does not roll while you are under it. I would also do this when the engine is warm, so be careful of the hot oil and engine parts. Good luck

Answer 3

ok, first you need a oil filter wrench. the filter is located behing the driver side wheel. dont take it off yet. you will need a socket or wrench set. i think a 3/8 is the size. you need to get to your oil pan which should be right in the middle of your undercarriage. take it out. be carefull not to go the wrong way. you can strip the threads very easily. ok, drain the oil. then take the oil filter off. then let it all drain for a few minutes. then put a new filter on. put the oil plug in. just over hand tight. it wont fall out i promise. then lift the hood and put you oil where it says oil. should take 6-7 quarts of oil just depending on the truck and size motor. then start it. check it. then when its full, not too much it will blow up the motor, when its full start it and make sure it hold pressure. then your done. discharge of you old oil properly please. by the way you will only save maybe 10 bucks

Answer 4

16 mm wrench, oil filter strap wrench, oil filter, 6 quarts of oil, drain pan, and a towel to wipe hands on. When you purchase the oil filter you can get the strap wrench that will fit the filter. If you choose you may use a 16mm socket and a ratchet instead of the regular end wrench. If you need more help please e-mail me
[e-mail]. Please include what engine your truck has. I forgot to add the oil type, any oil brand will work, your truck will take 5w-30. I don't think you will need a jack, truck should be high enough to slide underneath.

Answer 5

I agree with all of them .. It takes a 16mm wrench for the v8s and a 15mm for the 4.2 v-6

All engines take 6qts of oil.... The oil filter on the 4.2 is out in front near the steering cars and the crossmember (that big thing your engine appears to be sitting on) .. the oil filter on the v-8 are either on the left side as someone said, or in the back of that crossmember on the left

BTW, save yourself greif and turn the steering wheel to the right before you start (on the v-8s, it allows easy access to removing and installing the oil filter)

the engine will take either 5w20 or 5w30 motor oils

Answer 6

you need a wrench to take out the plug on the bottom of the oil pan,preferably a socket wrench.you also need a oil-filter wrench to remove the oil filter.people at an auto parts store would talk to you,also if you have a library or book store near you there might be a "chilton's" manual about your truck that has very good instructions about almost anything about your truck.chilton's might be on-line,too.good luck.

Answer 7

You will need a couple of tools. It is easier for you to view it online. Go to webcrawler, go into O'Reillys sight-or Autozone, their sights has HOW TO. While in webcrawler you can just type repairs f150, that will take you to several sights. Good luck, if you have any problems e-mail back, I may be able to assist. Changing oil is relatively simple. Tim

Answer 8

Hon you need an oil filter wrench. You can pick it up at any auto shop. And if you look you can get your oil and filter there too. I applaud your motivation to do it yourself and save money.