Changing Your Vehicle's Oil

The first thing you will need to do is jack your vehicle up far enough for you to get underneath it. Be sure to place the jack on the frame of the vehicle, or bumper if using a bumper jack.

Next you need to place jack stands under the vehicle, also on the frame of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle from falling on you if the jack gives out!

Now that you have the vehicle jacked up and jack stands in place you are ready to begin your oil change ! Begin by locating your oil pan. It is located toward the front of your vehicle and is usually black.

Now that you have located the oil pan, you will see the oil pan plug. After you've located the oil pan plug, place your drain pan underneath the pan and plug.

Unscrew the plug from the oil pan and let motor oil drain into the drain pan.

The drain pan will collect the oil after you've removed the oil pan plug.

Now that the motor oil is draining into the drain pan, locate the oil filter. Remove the filter and place filter into the drain pan.

You will most likely want to use a oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. The wrench will look like this.

Okay, so you have the motor oil drained and the filter removed. Now take your new oil filter and lube the rubber gasket of the filter with new motor oil. Insert the new filter. Only tighten the new filter with your hand. You do not want to over tighten the filter!!!

Replace the oil pan plug with your fingers, then tighten it with your box wrench.

Okay, now you are ready to remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. Remove the jack and open your hood.

Locate the engine motor oil plug on top of the valve cover. It will be labeled motor oil. It will look like this.

Add the specified amount of motor oil for your vehicle's make and model. Usually 5 quarts.

After you've added the motor oil start your vehicle for 3-4 minutes to allow the motor oil to work its way into the filter. Pull the dipstick out and check the motor oil level. It should read between low and full. The dipstick is labeled.

The motor oil dipstick is labeled like this.

Add additional motor oil if needed. Otherwise you are all done. Dispose of the used oil at the proper facility.