ALT-3 How to Change Oil
When your car or truck needs an oil change, you could always take it down to the local mechanic, wait for who knows how long in a lobby full of people you do not know and possibly do not want to be around, and spend an arm and a leg. However, this is probably much more time consuming and hassling than just doing it yourself. Plus being elbow deep in hot motor oil just makes you feel empowered.
To do this, you will need a few things. You will need:
Wheel ramps to elevate your front end so you can comfortably get under it
Wheel chocks to place behind the rear wheels to make sure the vehicle doesn't slide backwards off the ramps and kill you
An oil filter wrench to take off the old oil filter
A ratchet and socket set to remove the oil pan plug
Paper towels
Kitty litter or detergent to soak up any spilled oil
A drip pan to collect old oil
5 quarts of oil(check your owner's manual for the particular variety)
An oil filter (The parts store will have a book that tells you which one you need)
So after you get all your materials together, place the ramps in front of the front wheels. Slowly drive up them until the wheels settle on top of the ramps. Now place the wheel chocks behind your rear tires. Pop your hood. Now wait for your engine to cool off. Draining very hot oil from your car can be an unpleasant task that can lead to burns.
So now that your vehicle cools off, you should climb under it and look for the bolt that plugs the oil pan. Find the correct size socket for the bolt. Before you remove the bolt, place the drip pan under where the oil will pour out. Remove the bolt and move the drip pan to catch the oil as it flows out. After the oil has stopped dripping, it is time to remove the oil filter. Take the filter wrench and tighten it around the filter while turning counterclockwise. Once you have loosened it, move your drip pan under it and remove it by hand. More oil will pour out. Put the oil filter on the drip pan.
Now it is time to install the new oil filter. Remove it from the box, take a fingertip and coat it with the old oil, and coat the filter's seal with the oil. Now hand tighten the oil filter. Make sure you do not cross thread it, it will ruin the oil pan. Now replace the bolt you removed, again making sure you do not cross thread it. Make sure they are both in and tightly secured before you move on.
Now add the oil by pouring it into the tube labeled as the one that is for oil. A funnel makes it simpler but is not quite necessary. Wipe off your hands with paper towels, you can wash them later, you just want to get most of it. Pull the wheel chocks and back the vehicle off the ramps. Check the oil levels with your dipstick , then replace it and drop your hood.
You're done, good job. Just make sure you clean up.
