Oil Change Tools and Tips

For many cars and trucks, a routine oil change requires only minimal
tools, all of which you can purchase at your neighborhood auto parts
shop. These items are common, but vital to the success of your
maintenance if you’ve decided to take it on yourself. Though the task is
quick, engine oil replacement is one of the most important maintenance
checks you can perform to help increase your engine’s lifespan,
reliability and performance. In this article, we will take a look at a
few of the tools you will need to perform your own oil change.

Tools

Your first obstacle will be gaining access to the pan underneath the
engine. In order to do this, you will need a couple jack stands and a
solid floor jack to elevate the vehicle. You’ll also want a catch pan to
help you collect all the old fluid. This will help you avoid a messy
cleanup afterwards. A ratchet and socket of the appropriate size or a
box-end wrench will also be needed to unscrew the drain plug. A filter
wrench will be needed to unscrew the filter.

Oil

Be sure to abide by your manufacturer’s recommendations when purchasing
oil. This information can be found in your service or owner’s manual,
which either came with the vehicle, or can be purchased at your local
parts shop.

Make certain you acquire a product with the appropriate weight for your
local weather. Lower year round temperatures (ranging under 0F – 100F)
will likely require an SAE 5W-30 grade, whereas normal temperatures will
be fine with an SAE 10W-30 grade.

Drivers with a high-mileage engine may want to choose a product with a
15W-40 or 20W-50 weight to compensate for a larger clearance in moving
engine parts.

The Change

Warm up your engine on a level surface. This will help the oil float and
loosen up the particles that have sunk to the bottom of the engine. Use
a jack to lift up the front of the vehicle. Use a few wood blocks to
secure the back wheels.

Position a catch pan below the drain plug. You will need a socket wrench
to completely remove the plug. Unscrew the oil filler cap to ease the
drainage process. Allow the pan to drain for at least five minutes. If
you have an empty milk container, you can recycle it by dumping in the
old fluid. Next, replace the plug and move the catch pan beneath the
filter. Unscrew the old filter and allow it to drain.

Before you install the new filter, you will need to take a small amount
of oil and run it around the gasket. This will help lubricate and secure
the filter.

Lower your vehicle and start pouring in the correct amount of oil. Use a
funnel to help avoid a mess. Once you are finished, start up the
vehicle and check underneath the engine for leaks. As long as everything
checks out, you should be good to go.