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Oil changes are one of the more tedious parts of owning a car. You need to keep an eye on your oil levels and then when they get too low, check the Walmart oil change prices, go to your local garage, or get your partner to change it for you. Well, actually… changing your own oil is a useful skill to learn that not many women do, despite it being an easy task!
We live in a man’s world. Who am I kidding? Women run this… (Oops, that was close. I almost said a bad word) But seriously, who says that men can only do handy work? I know how to mow the grass and so have I. I know how to change a tire and I now know how to change my own oil. Why must all things be left up to a man? Although I much rather be able to say “Jared, go do this” I want him to know it’s not because he is a man that I ask him to do things because after all I too know how to do things. So from now on when I tell him to do something I much rather he says “why me? You know how to do it” and I’d be happy to reply “because I said so!” or “because I’m lazy, and I said so.”
So for all you women out there who don’t know how to change your own oil, I’m here to show you how and you should give it a try. Trust me it sure feels good to be able to say that I DO know how to change my own oil.
The first thing you need to do is head to Walmart.com and buy your oil. For us, we use Pennzoil 5w30 Platinum High Mileage Motor oil. I also bought the 5 qt. I love that I can shop online and either pick it up in store or have it delivered straight to my house. AMAZING!!!
We use Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage because it helps to reduce leaks and oil consumption for vehicles with higher mileage engine (I.E. my car) It’s also specifically designed for new or late model vehicles and helps keep the engines running clean.
You have now received your Pennzoil and it’s time to get to work. You see me looking under the car to figure out just what I’m looking at.
If you couldn’t tell, I needed a little more space. We used these ramps, but you can also use jacks.
This picture shows you what you are looking for. The big circle is the oil filter, and the small circle is the cap that you will be removing to drain the oil out. First, you will be taking off the smaller screw and draining the oil. Next, you will be taking off the oil filter and be replacing it with a new one. Make sure you have a spill kit on hand (spill kits with STOREMASTA are a good option), just in case any of the oil leaks onto your driveway. Not only will spilt oil stain your drive if you don’t clean it up fast, it’s also illegal to let oil run into the natural environment, so you need to be prepared.
As you can tell, I was quite excited that I was able to do this by myself!
While you are waiting for the oil to drain, you will need to clean the screw. At the tip of the screw, there is a magnet that collects loose magnetic pieces.
Now it’s time to remove the oil filter and to do this you use this tool. An oil filter wrench. I had never seen one before, but it’s pretty neat. After you have replaced the oil filter you are done under the car. It’s time to replace the oil that you have now drained.
If you’re not too sure where to put the new Pennzoil. Check out the picture above. 🙂
Take your Pennzoil and start to pour. Pour slow but make sure you empty all your oil.
Last but not least it’s now time to check your oil and make sure that you have put enough into the engine. Time to jump for joy because you have now changed your own oil. Congratulations.
Do you change your own oil or do you have it done for you? I’d love to hear more…
I have never changed my own oil, but this is a great way to save money…especially now that we’re in the middle of summer roadtrip season! Thanks for sharing the tip about ordering online, too! #client
You should try it. 🙂 but if you do please have someone with you has has done it before. Just to be safe lol
You wrote “I tell him” when you most certainly meant “I ask him”. And of course you meant “respectfully’,
A few things to note:if you use a jack please use jack stands. It’s safer. When you finish filling the oil and check it on the dipstick it will show one quart high. That’s because the oil hasn’t flowed through the oil filter yet. Once the car is started that extra quart will fill the filter and when you turn the car off and recheck it will give you a true reading. Also after starting the car check under the car while it’s running and look for oil leaks. I’ve seen oil filter seals fail on startup and it makes a big mess. The oil is under 40 to 60 pounds of pressure so if you see any leaks turn the car off immediately. Also in the article you didn’t mention putting the oil plug back in before taking the filter off. Don’t forget to put the plug back in. Also disposing the oil properly is a must! Here in California you can take used oil to most auto parts stores and they sell it to a recycler. Changing your own oil is a fairly easy thing to do. More people should do their own changes but unfortunately don’t have the tools, area to do it or the confidence. Keep on wrenching?
Thank you so much for all the extra input and I do agree with everything you said 🙂 I hope you have an awesome day 🙂
Good job, Herbie covered about everything I was going to say except you can actually fill the filter with oil before you screw it back in. Anyway this seems to be a fairly descriptive article for people that have never done their own oil changes, again good job.
One thing that should be mentioned is using the correct wrench to remove and replace the drain plug. It looks like you have a GM full sized SUV. You should have used probably a 15mm box end wrench. Many people start grabbing for SAE wrenches and will strip out the flats on the drain plug. Using anything other than a metric wrench or socket will result in a damaged plug that may not come off next time.
Other items of note: Make sure the old gasket comes off with the filter, sometimes they stick to the engine and the new filter won’t seal properly. Also you should wipe a little oil on the new seal before putting it on.
Only three comments:
1. This is a perfect time tho change your air filter.I usually change it every other oil change. Record the mileage at which these were changed and keep it either in your owner’s manual or by using a label maker and attach it to a spot in the engine compartment.
2. Remember that fluids should be checked when you change oil. Do it…and be ready to add when necessary. Learn the signs of wear and look for it when you change oil.
Remember that the goal is to provide good preventive maintenance for your car, and the oil change is typically the time tho do that.
3. , Buy a box of latex gloves tho keep oil off your hands. It is a carcinogen and you should guard against that kind of exposure. Don’t forget tho lady cardboard or newspaper tho contain should. Kitty litter is great for cleaning up oil spills that are bigger than you thought it would be. It is an absolute guarantee you will have at least one major spill…si prepare for that BEFORE you start your own oil changing.
Good luck!
-Kurt-
I love it when people take the time to learn to do the simple auto maintenance expecially ypu ladies you can do it just as us guys. One other little tip that I have not seen it reading the comments and articles to help make sure the filter seals when putting the new one on eather dip your finger in the old oil or get I drop of the new oil and put it on the fudder gasket on the new filter to help it to seal.