How Do I Change The Oil In My Car???

Question

What am I looking for underneath the vehicle in order to change the oil and filter out? I'm tired of just pouring a bottle of oil into the engine under the hood and not actually changing it from the bottom of the car!!!!!! What knobs or whatever do I look for, how is this done???? I know that is a simple thing but I dont know how and I'm sure that its someone out there who does, I want to be one of those who does!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

It's good that you're taking a pro-active approach to maintaining your car. You should first start by grabbing a repair manual, like Hayne's or Chilton's. I prefer Hayne's, but they're both good and cheap. It'll detail every procedure in there, from checking tire pressure to overhauling your engine. It will surely have the best description of changing your oil as well.

When you go underneathe of your car, on the bottom of the engine is the oil pan. As other people mentioned, it has a bolt in it that's the plug. Make sure you have a pan out, remove the plug and let the oil drain. I prefer to do this when the oil is cooled off though, as A) it won't burn you and B) it's all settled back into the oil pan insead of still on the engine parts themselves.

Some cars have the filters hanging off of the bottom or out of the side. My Ford truck hangs out the driver side of the engine, my old Chevy car has is in the back of the engine and hanging down on the driver side and my Nissan car has it mounted between the firewall (wall between engine and interior) and the engine, facing the back of the car. It take some manuevering, but once I did it the first time, it becomes cake. Just be ready, depending on how it's oriented, it may spill some oil.

Your oil filter should come off by hand, although it may need some coaxing with an oil filter wrench ($5). Make sure that when you put it back on, you A) lubricate the rubber gasket with some oil and B) tighten it only by hand...this is not a thread you want to strip. Ditto with the oil plug. Turn it hand tight, and then 1/4 past that with the wrench.

Fill your car's engine up with the proper amount of oil. Note the date and the mileage, and repeat the procedure in 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. If you keep solid documentation of all repairs, and especially oil changes, the added confidence that you maintained the car well may help out when it comes time to sell your car.

Try to change your oil filter everytime, and at every fourth oil change, swap out your old air filter as well.

Oh, and for what it's worth. Yes, sometimes the quick change places are helpful, however, in my experience, it becomes more expensive and even chance-ey. One time my brother took his truck there, and through some weird miscommunication, they ended up only putting in 2 quarts of oil. It was almost too late when we realized it. Also, they'll try and push the synthetics on you...there's no need for them in a lot of cases, but that's your call. Just be aware that they're pricier.

Answer 2

If is it is not done right and the car is new you could void your warranty. Under the car at the oil pan there is a drain plug you have to loosen that. Make sure you have a pan to capture the old oil as it is an environmental hazard. Once all the old oil is drained replace the oil filter. It is usually threaded on on clicks on depending on the make and model of car. After all the oil is drained put the plug back in the pan make sure the threading and gasket are in good condition so they don't leak. Replace with new oil either synthetic or regular(use 5w-30) use only the amount the car manual call for. If they drain plug pops out and the car runs without oil you can severely damage the engine so be careful.

Answer 3

Not as "simple" as it sounds.

I used to change my oil all the time. But now, the automobile manufacturers make it very difficult to reach the filter. So now I take it to a quick oil change place and let someone else do it.
And remember, you should change the filter each time, not just the oil. There is one quart of oil in your filter, and if you leave the old one, then you contaminate the new oil.

If you don't get the filter back on correctly, you can get leaks and more troubles.

Answer 4

There will be a bolt attached to the bottom of your oil pan... or somewhere near there... it screws out and the oil drains out... then you put it back in and find the filter... it's hard to miss... it looks like an oil filter... some times it's hidden behind something though... good luck getting it out... the put a bit of oill around the seal of the new filter... put it in and then fill the car up with oil...

it might be easier to spend twenty bucks and let wal-mart change your oil for you...

Answer 5

depending on the car it can be a daunting task for the 1st timer.
i would take it to a place that will let you observe how it's done so you can decide if it's worth the effort to do it yourself.
i used to do my own oil changes but after the bruised knuckles,crossthreading the drain plug,wallowing around on the ground,getting greasy and the time it takes i decided for the small amount it costs to let someone else do it.

Answer 6

Just take it to Wal-Mart and let them do it. Only 12.95 last time I had mine done.
BUT, if you must be the do it yourselfer, jack the car up (don't forget your jack stands for safety reasons). Crawl under the center of the engine; find the bolt under the oil pan; loosen it (don't forget to put your drip pan underneath first); take it completely out; let the oil drain out. Put the bolt back on the oil pan. Find the filter and hope it's not impossible to get to. Put your oil pan wrench on it; loosen it, take it off, install new one. Get out from under car; take jack stands out; let car down. put in new oil; start car; watch new oil filter for few minutes to see if there are any leaks. pull out dip stick, check level making sure it's full. Drive car. Like I said at first, take it to Wal-Mart and let them do it.

Answer 7

Based on what you wrote, you had better just take your car to one of those Jiffy lube places and have them change your oil.

If you've just been dumping IN oil without draining OUT the old and replacing the filter your car isn't going to last much longer without a major problem.
It needs to be changed (depending on driving habits) every 2500-3500 miles you drive.

Get it in SOON.....