Can I do an oil change myself?

Unless your car’s oil filter and/or oil drain plug is impossible to reach, you can save money by changing your oil and oil filter yourself (your car’s manual should tell you how much oil to get and how often to change your oil). Look under your car to find the drain plug.

Can I just put new oil in my car?

Yes, but before pouring in new oil. You should drain out your old oil and change out your oil filter. Oil change means you need to remove old dirty worn out oil, and put new fresh oil in.

What do I put under oil change for my car?

The drain plug is a large nut or plug located under the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. If you can’t reach your oil drain plug easily, you’ll have to either crawl under your car to reach it or jack up the car. Place a container under the oil drain plug.

What are the 10 steps to an oil change?

You might even find working on your car is fun — much as we do. If you’re unsure what kind of oil you should use or how often you should change it, refer to the technical specifications or service section of your owner’s manual.

Do I need to jack up my car for an oil change?

Changing your oil regularly is the single best thing you can do to prolong the life of your car’s engine. Most of the job is easy, but you’ll probably have to raise your car to get at the drain plug. You’ll need a sturdy set of car ramps for your car or a floor jack and safety stands designed for your car’s weight.

Do you take the oil filter off first?

Most people would recommend that you “prime” your filter first, but on a car with such a tiny oil filter it’s not that important. This is a practice saved more often for diesel filters. If it’s easy to reach, there is no harm with doing this, and if it’s not easy to reach, things might get messy.

When should you change your oil?

The traditional recommendation is that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. However, the new standard is that you can typically change your oil every 5,000 miles worry-free (especially if you are driving a relatively new car or are in “optimal operating conditions).

How often should you change engine oil?

How often to change oil. According to research by Edmunds , most carmakers now recommend oil changes between 7,500 and 10,000 miles, although some specify 5,000-mile intervals. The type of engine oil, the age and make of your vehicle and driving habits dictate when to change engine oil.

How to do an oil change?

Check the type and amount of oil needed