How do you change the oil on a 97' Nissan Sentra?

Question

I am 19 and I am trying to learn about cars so I don't have to waste time bringing it to a mechanic, if someone could provide a step-by-step guild to changing the oil I would appreciate it.

Answer 1

Raise vehicle
Remove drain plug and drain oil into a container.
Remove oil filter (might need an oil filter wrench).
Replace oil filter (put clean oil on the gasket and hand tighten only)
Replace drain plug.
Lower vehicle.
Fill with oil until it shows up on the dipstick.
Start engine( now you can check for leaks)
Stop engine and recheck oil level( add more if below safe mark)

Answer 2

Drive it a mile, come home and drive it up on a couple ramps, get under the car, use a wrench to unscrew the drain plug, careful, don't force it any way you could strip the threads. after the oil drains, unscrew the oil filter. It should come off with hard hand pressure. After that drains to a few drips, dip your finger in a little used oil and run it around the rim of the new oil filter. Then screw it in place it you don't have an oil filter wrench, tighten it by hand one and a half turns check for seeps after and tighten more easily if you need to. fill it with the required level and grade of oil according to your car before. MAKE sure you put the oil drain plug back. Get rid of the used oil. Dispose of it properly if you want to. If your a lazy kid dump it some place convient, let your grand kids in the future worry about it. Drive it a mile and check for leaks, including around the filter and to see if you remembered to put the drain plug back in the oil pan. If you forgot your out about $3000.00. Hope I have taken you step by help in how to change your oil.

Answer 3

Pretty much everyone told you like it is. Good straight forward job.
The ONLY thing I would recommend that you do in the sequence of things is to loosen and remove the filter first, before you remove the oil plug. The reason is simple -- The drain pan will be empty. The filter is going to be hot, and most likely slippery. IF you should drop the old filter in an empty pan, there will be less old oil splashing around on your driveway, on your clothes and in your face.
Aside from that, everything that has already been posted is good advise.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas

Answer 4

if you can get it in the air high enough ,,put a large pan under the oil pan and remove the oil plug,and let all of it drain out of it,,then remove the old filter these can be tough sometimes once it all drains out put the plug back in,,and install the new filter once you wipe and clean the area where it goes,and tighten it up,by hand tighten only,,don't use a tool to tighten it with,and let it come down off the ramps or remove the jack,,how ever you raised it,and re-fill the oil in it,,make sure you get it full start by adding 4 quarts to it,,then run it,for a while,and then cut the engine off ,and re-check it,,fill as needed ,and your done,,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

If you don't know how to change the oil in any vehicle, the best thing you can do is, take it to any qualified mechanic and get him to do it for you. If he does a good job, use him to do your regular servicing from then on. It may cost a bit more, but you know it's been done properly