How To Save Money By Changing Your Own Oil
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle and it needs to be changed on a regular basis to keep the engine operating at high efficiency. Over time, oil collects dirt and that dirt runs through the engine along with the oil as it lubricates. Changing the oil will remove the dirty contaminated oil, and replace it with fresh motor oil that will help you with gas consumption and the car's acceleration. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change the oil in your car and save yourself a few dollars.
To complete this job you will need the following items:
An oil pan
Funnel
Fresh bottles of motor oil
Car jack
Jack stands
Rubber gloves
1 - Start by parking the car in an area where you can work on the car without having to worry about oncoming traffic. Park at the back of a parking lot or in the driveway, where there is no threat of cars flying past and potentially hitting you while you work under the car.
2 - Pop the hood buttons located underneath the driver's wheel, and then go around and unlatch the latch located in the middle of the hood at the front of the car. Lift up the hood and place the prop rod under the hood to prevent it from closing.
3 - Remove the oil cap from the engine of the car. You can locate the oil cap as it will have an image of an oil canister imprinted on it or it will have the word oil on the cap. Unscrew the cap to allow the air flow, while the dirty oil is being removed.
4 - Use the car jack to pump the car up six to eight inches in the air or high enough to allow you to get underneath the car. Place jack stands under the low bearing points to keep the car propped up in the event that it falls off the car jack.
5 - Put on rubber gloves to ensure that the oil doesn't come into contact with your skin during the next process.
6 - Under the car, locate the oil plug and place the oil pan underneath to catch the dirty oil as it pours out. With the oil pan in place, pull the oil plug out and let all the dirty oil drain out of the engine. Give it three to five minutes to ensure you got all the excess oil drips into the pan.
7 - Remove the pan and dispose of the dirty oil at a mechanic's garage to make sure it is properly recycled. There will most likely be a modest environmental fee you have to pay to the mechanic for the disposal of the dirty oil.
8 - Re-attach the oil plug and fasten it in securely. Then using a funnel, pour the new clean oil into the engine. Consult with the owner's manual or a mechanic to make sure you have enough oil to fill the engine.
9 - Remove the funnel and screw the oil cap back into place.
10 - Remove the jack stands and lower the car back down to the ground to complete the job.
If you don't want to get dirty or feel uncomfortable working on your car, then you can pay a local auto repair shop such as Felix Auto Repair & Towing to change your oil for a modest fee.