How to Change Your Cars Motor Oil?

Why should you change your own oil? Because you can save time and money. You don't have to wait in line at the service garage or quick oil change shop. For ten bucks you can get the best oil and a brand new oil filter. And, it's so easy to do that you could train a monkey to do it.

When Should One Can change Oil?

Look in your cars owners manual. Most auto manufacturers recommend changing the motor oil every 6,000 miles for normal service, or every 3,000 miles for severe service.

What Kind Of Oil Should Use?

You are not going to save money by using an off-brand oil because your engine will wear out sooner. Use oil that meets the American Pertroleum Institute (API) classification SL. If you are changing your oil just before winter, use SAE 10W30 weight oil. This number means the oil will have a thin 10 weight viscosity when the engine is cold, helping the engine to start easier, and then the oil will thicken to 30 weight viscosity when the engine warms up, protecting the engine better. 

Changing your cars motor oil is a very simple three-step process:  

Step 1: Drain the old oil

 - Locate the oil drain plug and place a pan under it to catch the oil. With a box wrench, remove the oil plug.

- When the oil stops draining, reinstall the drain plug

Step 2. Replace the oil filter

- Move your oil catch pan under the oil filter. Using an oil filter wrench to get it started, remove the oil filter.  

- With your finger put a thin coat of oil on the new filter's gasket to make it seal better.

Step 3. Add the new oil

- Locate the oil filler cap on the valve cover. Make sure you have located the the oil filler cap. Remove the oil filler cap.

- When pouring the oil, you would be wise to use a funnel between the oil can and the valve cover oil filler hole.

Step 4. Start the Engine

- Start the engine and make sure the oil warning light goes off. Look under the vehicle to make sure oil is not leaking out. 

- Turn off the engine and let it set for a minute to let the oil drain down to the crank case. Then use the dip stick to check the oil level.