You might wonder how you can get more involved in the maintenance of your family vehicle. One way to do this and save some money is by changing your own oil. This may seem like a task that only mechanics can do, but I assure you that any person with a positive attitude can successfully do this. In this blog post, we’ll go over some simple steps that you can do at home, allowing you to change your vehicle’s oil without the help of anyone else.
Before we start, make sure you have the following materials: a car jack, oil filter wrench, oil drip pan, funnel, oil filter, and new oil. You might need to consult your vehicle manual to verify the correct weight of the oil that you need.
First, heat the engine for about 5 to 10 minutes, which will make it easier to drain the oil out. Once heated, use the car jack to lift the vehicle up and find the oil drain plug. It should be towards the front or back of the engine. Once located, place the oil drip pan underneath the drain plug and loosen the plug with a wrench to let the old oil drain out into the pan.
After the oil has drained out, remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench and let any remaining oil drain into the pan. Take the new oil filter and coat the gasket with engine oil, then screw it back onto the engine. Once in place, use the funnel to pour the new oil into the engine. While doing so, wait for a minute, to make sure that you have filled the right amount of new oil for your engine model.
Now, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Verify that there are no oil leaks and also check the oil level using a dipstick. If you need to add more oil, do so with the use of the funnel, but be sure not to overfill it.
Finally, put the drained oil and oil filter in plastic bags and dispose of them properly. Double-check that the drain plug is tight, and close the hood. You’ve done it! You’ve changed your own oil!
Changing your own oil might seem like a complicated task, but it’s easier and more satisfying than you might expect. Not only does changing your own oil save money, but it also gives you a better idea of how your vehicle works and how you can maintain it. With these simple steps, you too can join the many other housewives who have successfully changed their own oil. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and perform other maintenance tasks on your family vehicle. It’s an empowering feeling to take control of your vehicle’s health.
