How To Change The Oil In Your Car

Step 1: Warm up the engine

Part of preparing this job is to drive your car around the block for 2 to 3 minutes before you start. Running the engine will heat the oil. The hot oil is thinner and will drain more easily and completely from the engine.
When the temperature gauge indicates that the engine is warm you can drive back and get stuck in.

Don't run the car too hot to avoid skin burns when touching engine parts later. Wait for 2 hours if the car is hot from a long drive.

Step 2: Set up a safe working environment

Park the vehicle on a solid and level surface. Make sure the workspace is well lit.

Shift automatic cars into the parking position,
in manual cars shift into first gear, and engage the parking brake firmly.
Turn the ignition off.

Release the bonnet with the lever in the interior. You will have to open the bonnet at a later stage.

Block the tires with a wedge for added safety.

Now line up your tools close to the car- You don't want to start searching when you are under the car.

Take extra care when securing your vehicle. You will have to work under the car and you want to rule out any risks.

Step 3: Access car's underside

You will need to get under your car for an oil change. If you have a pit you are lucky to have easy access, otherwise you will have to carry out this job by sliding under the car.
Most likely you will have to raise the car on jack stands to have enough room.
Apply the jack at the lip running along the frame. Raise the car with a mechanical or hydraulic jack and settle it on jack stands.
Repeat this process on the other side of the car.

Never get underneath a car supported by a jack alone. Use additional jack stands.

Step 4: Protect the floor

Unfold the newspaper and spread it widely under the engine. Have the empty waste oil container ready to be used under the car.

Step 5: Locate the oil drain plug

You will now have to slide under the car to locate the oil drain plug. The drain plug is found at lowest point of the engine closest to the ground. Look for a big nut with a washer underneath.

Do not confuse the oil drain plug with the transmission drain plug. The oil drain plug is generally smaller and can be easily recognised by the bigger heat of the metal surrounding it. If in doubt consult a service technician.

Step 6: Remove oil drain plug

Wear work gloves if you want to keep your hands clean. Take a spanner with the appropriate size and place it over the drain plug nut. Applying a little force, turn the spanner counter-clockwise and dislodge the nut. Use your fingers to turn the nut slightly loose. Keep the nut in the thread, though, don't undo it all the way.

Slide the empty waste oil container under the drain plug. Make sure it will be right under the stream. Remove the plug entirely and store it in a safe location. Get your face out of the way of the hot oil stream and slide out from under the car.
Let the oil drain completely. The initial stream will subside after about 2 minutes.

Let the oil drain for up to an hour. This is worth the time, as you will get rid of almost all the old oil.

Step 7: Vent the oil system

Now we have to open the bonnet to get access to the engine from above.
Move the bonnet catch for final release.
Lift the bonnet and secure it with the prop rod.

To drain the oil completely we have to let air enter the system, so first remove the oil filler cap and keep it on the engine block.

Next identify the oil dipstick.
Look for removable thin metal strip. Remove the dipstick entirely. Now the rest of the oil will drain more easily.


Wipe the dipstick clean and note the marks indicating the recommended upper and lower oil levels. Set the dipstick aside.

Step 8: Locate the oil filter

Identify the oil filter on the engine block. Look for a big cylindrical metal cartridge

The oil filter contains hot oil. Handle the filter with care to avoid skin injuries.

Step 9: Remove the old oil filter

Now take the chain wrench. Slide the chain over the oil filter, and tighten the belt by turning the handle to the right until you notice that you have a firm grasp on the cartridge. Pull the wrench counter clockwise with a little force to loosen the filter. Continue with the wrench until the filter moves easily . Now slip the wrench off and turn the filter loose by hand. Don't burn yourself. Remove the filter entirely and store it in a safe location. You will need it in a little while.

Step 10: Replace the oil filter

Pick up the new filter. Before replacing it, you will have to coat the gasket at the bottom of the filter with oil. Take the old oil filter and press its oily gasket against the new filter's dry gasket. The filter will thus connect better with the engine block.
Now take a rag and clean the area where the filter will be mounted so no dirt gets between engine and filter gasket. Now, fit the new filter over the bolt and screw it on by manually turning it clockwise. Slide the chain wrench over the filter, tighten the chain and turn the filter clockwise until securely connected.

Step 11: Replace the drain sealing washer

Take a new sealing washer and slide it over the drain nut. Get under the car and carefully thread nut and washer back into the plug hole. Tighten the drain plug properly with the spanner and slide back out from under the car, as you are done there.

Step 12: Replace the oil

Insert the funnel into the oil filler hole to fill up with oil. Take the new oil and pour in the quantity recommended by the manufacturer. Put the oil cap back on when you are finished.

To be on the safe side you need to check the oil level.

Insert the dipstick all the way, and pull it out again to check the oil level. It is supposed to be between the minimum and maximum level marks .

Step 13: Clean up

Screw the lid off the empty sealable container and insert the funnel. Take the full waste oil container and pour its contents through the funnel. Close the lid firmly when the container is full.
Put the old oil filter into a plastic bag. Make a knot, or, when using a zip bag, seal it.

Raise the car with the jack, remove the jack stands and lower the car safely to the ground. Don't forget to remove the wedge.

Step 14: Check your car's oil level

To be on the safe side you need to check the oil level.

Insert the dipstick all the way, and pull it out again to check the oil level. It is supposed to be between the minimum and maximum level marks .

Step 15: Dispose of the waste oil

The first trip with the car should take you to a recycling point to dispose of oil, filter and empty containers. You should also check the engine for leaks before and after this this trip.

When first starting the car, let the engine run for 3 minutes and check for oil leaks underneath before you drive off. If the drain plug is leaky you may have to carefully tighten it a little more.

Now take the old oil filter and sealed waste oil container to a garage or petrol station where they will be taken to a recycling point.

The place where you bought the oil will also take the waste oil.
You have just done a good job for your car and for the environment.