Is it hard to do my own oil change?

Changing your own oil can seem daunting at first, but with the right preparation and tools, it’s actually quite straightforward for most vehicles. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to start doing your own oil changes and save yourself some money.

The basics of an oil change

An oil change involves draining the old oil from your engine, removing and replacing the oil filter, and refilling the engine with fresh oil. Here are the basic steps:

1. Make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface and set the parking brake.
2. Pop the hood and locate the oil drain plug, oil filter, and oil fill cap.
3. Place a drain pan underneath the drain plug.
4. Use a wrench to loosen the drain plug and allow the old oil to drain into the pan.
5. Remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one.
6. Replace the drain plug and tighten it.
7. Pour in the recommended amount and type of new oil through the oil fill opening.
8. Replace the oil fill cap and close the hood.
9. Dispose of the old oil at a recycling center.

The basic steps are the same whether you’re working on a car or truck. With a little practice, you’ll get efficient at each step. Now let’s look at how to prepare for a DIY oil change.

Getting ready for an oil change

Doing the prep work is just as important as the oil change itself. Here’s what you need to do before getting started:

• Look up your vehicle’s specifications – Your owner’s manual will tell you how many quarts or liters of oil the engine holds, what viscosity oil to use, and the recommended oil change interval.
• Buy the supplies – At a minimum, you’ll need a new oil filter, enough oil for a full change, and a drain pan to catch the old oil. Consider getting a filter wrench, oil filter pliers, funnels, and rags too.
• Locate the fill and drain points – Pop the hood and find where you’ll be removing the drain plug, oil filter, and adding new oil. This will save you time later.
• Check your oil filter placement – Some filters are located up top while others are down low beside the oil pan. Know where it is before you get started.
• Prepare your recycling – You’ll need to take the old oil to a recycling center, so make sure you have an appropriate leak-proof container ready to transport it.

Doing this prep work helps the oil change process go much more smoothly. Now let’s look at which tools you’ll need.

Getting the right tools

Having the proper tools for the job makes a DIY oil change much simpler. Here are the tools you’ll need to get the drain plug, oil filter, and new oil in and out:

• Drain pan – A large pan with low sides to catch oil.
• Wrench set – A set with various sizes to remove the drain plug.
• Filter wrench – Special wrench made for loosening oil filters.
• Oil filter pliers – Can grip filters without slipping.
• Funnel – For cleanly pouring new oil into the fill opening.
• Rags – For wiping up spills and oil residue.
• Jack and jack stands (optional) – If you need to get under the vehicle.
• Creeper (optional) – Allows you to roll under a vehicle.

You likely already have some of these tools, like wrenches and rags. Specialized tools like an oil filter wrench only cost $10-15. Setting yourself up with the right DIY oil change tools is easy and affordable.

Picking the right oil and filter

Not all oils and filters are created equal. You need to use the right ones for your particular vehicle. Here’s how to choose:

Oil

• Use your owner’s manual to determine the recommended oil viscosity (weight) such as 5W-30, 10W-30, etc.
• Choose a major brand oil like Valvoline, Castrol, or Mobil. They meet stringent quality standards.
• Stay on top of oil certifications and what they mean, like API and ILSAC.
• Fully synthetic oils provide the best protection and performance.

Oil filter

• Use the database at Partsgeek.com to lookup the factory oil filter for your vehicle make and model.
• Stick with a quality brand like Mobil 1, K&N, or Bosch.
• Make sure any aftermarket filter you buy has the same thread diameter and length as the factory filter.
• The factory filter is usually the best choice for proper fit and function.

Now that you know how to select compatible oil and filters, let’s talk about doing the job safely.

Safety tips

Changing your own oil is generally safe if certain precautions are taken:

• Never work under an unsupported vehicle – Use jack stands.
• Wear protective gloves and eye wear.
• Be aware of hot exhaust components.
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand.
• Keep an eye out for oil leaks or dripping.
• Make sure the drain pan is stable and won’t tip over.
• Dispose of oil filters and empty containers properly.
• Wash your hands thoroughly when finished.

Applying these basic safety practices reduces the risks inherent in an oil change. Now let’s review the step-by-step process.

Step-by-step DIY oil change

Once you’re prepped with supplies, tools, and oil, you’re ready to get your hands dirty. Here are the detailed steps for safely changing your oil:

1. Position vehicle – Park on a flat level surface with the parking brake engaged. This allows complete and smooth oil drainage.
2. Place drain pan – Slide a drain pan under the oil drain plug location.
3. Loosen plug – Use a wrench to loosen the drain plug. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen.
4. Drain oil – Remove the drain plug completely. Allow the oil to fully drain into the pan.
5. Replace plug – Once oil is drained, screw the drain plug back in clockwise and tighten it.
6. Loosen filter – Use a filter wrench or pliers to turn the old oil filter counterclockwise.
7. Remove filter – Unscrew the filter the rest of the way by hand and take it out. Make sure the gasket comes off with it.
8. Replace filter – Screw the new filter on by hand until snug. Do not overtighten.
9. Add new oil – Pour in new oil through the engine fill spout slowly and carefully. Use a funnel to prevent spills.
10. Check level – Wait a few minutes for oil to settle then check the dipstick. Top off if needed.
11. Reset light – Turn ignition to “on” and reset the oil change light if equipped.

When performed properly, this process will completely refresh your engine oil and get you back on the road. Now let’s go over the costs of doing it yourself versus taking it to a shop.

DIY savings

One of the biggest benefits of changing your own oil is the money you can save versus paying a shop to do it. Here’s a cost comparison:

Cost	DIY	Shop
Oil	$25	$25
Filter	$5	$5
Labor	$0	$40
Total	$30	$70

As you can see, doing it yourself saves $40 per oil change. If you change your oil 3 times per year, that’s $120 in savings. The savings add up over time – and that’s not even including complementary services shops may try to upsell you on.

Speaking of upsells, here are some additional services you may want to consider:

Extra services

• Tire rotation – Rotating tires helps them wear evenly. DIY or have a shop rotate every 5,000-7,000 miles.
• Tire pressure – Check all tire pressures including the spare to ensure proper inflation.
• Fluids check – Check all fluid levels under the hood including coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.
• Filters – Replace the engine air filter and cabin air filter when dirty.
• Lights – Inspect all exterior lights like headlights, turn signals, brake lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

While not always necessary with every oil change, these services help keep your vehicle in peak condition over the long haul.

Disposing of oil properly

Once the oil is drained, you’ll need to dispose of it properly. Here are a few tips:

• Allow oil to cool completely before transporting.
• Store used oil in approved leak-proof containers only.
• Many auto parts stores and service centers accept used oil for recycling.
• Some municipal household hazardous waste collection sites accept oil.
• Never dump oil down the drain, on the ground, or into the trash.

Following these responsible disposal methods ensures the used motor oil doesn’t end up polluting soil or waterways. Now let’s look at how often you should change your vehicle’s oil.

Oil change frequency

Here are some general guidelines for how often to change your vehicle’s oil and filter:

Vehicle Type	Miles Between Changes
Conventional gasoline engines	Every 3,000 – 5,000 miles
Synthetic gasoline engines	Every 7,500 – 10,000 miles
Diesel engines	Every 8,000 – 10,000 miles
Higher performance engines	Every 3,000 – 5,000 miles

However, always refer to your owner’s manual for the specific oil change interval recommendations for your vehicle’s engine.

Conclusion

Changing your vehicle’s oil yourself is one of the most basic maintenance tasks any car owner can learn to perform. While seemly daunting as first, it simply involves draining old oil, replacing the filter, and refilling with new oil. With the right preparation and tools, most anyone can change their oil safely and effectively. The effort also pays off in significant savings over the life of your vehicle versus paying a shop for routine oil changes. Just be sure to dispose of the used oil responsibly and stay consistent with your oil change intervals.