What do you need to do your own car oil changes?

1. 85

   GA Andersonposted 13 years ago

   What do you need to do your own car oil changes?

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2. 78

   goegoposted 13 years ago

   If your car is to low to get under... ramps or a jack and jack-stand's (don't be dumb and squeeze your jellybean ass under a 3000 pound piece of metal with nothing supporting it)
   
   A pan to catch the oil, (most auto part stores have them for less than 4 bucks)
   
   A wrench or socket to remove the drain plug and a rag to wipe off hot oil from your hands(or wrap up busted knuckles)
   
   a filter wrench ($10 to $15), channel locks($same) or a screwdriver(if your hard up or too cheap, stab thru the filter and use the leverage to loosen)  the filter is going to drain oil when its punctured or loosened so have a container ready (old milk jug with the top removed works good)
   
   don't forget to put your drain plug back in before you start to add oil, always fill up your new filter with oil and lube the seal before installing (I usually fill it up halfway and rotate the filter at an angle to coat all the paper that can be seen thru the big filter hole, if the filter mounts on the side of the motor this is all the oil I will put in the filter, otherwise it will just drain out. If it mounts straight up and down fill it almost full.)
   
   add two quarts and check oil level, continue to check after each quart added until full. Start engine and allow for the oil pressure to come up (15-20 seconds) turn off engine and re-check level.
   
   slam the hood on that puppy... restart engine, blast heat and the music... floor it

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3. 61

   Drtruthmanposted 13 years ago

   This is a pretty simple procedure. You need the following: 1) an oil drain pan available at parts stores and discount stores for about $5.00, 2) Oil filter wrench about the same price, 3) Preferably a "creeper" to lay on to get under the car (about $20.00), 4) Car ramps to drive the car on for elevation (about the same), 5) oil filter, 6) oil (see owner's manual for amount needed; usually between 4 and 5 quarts and check for the type and if synthetic is needed) 7) a ratchet and 9/16" to 15 mm socket depending on vehicle, 8) oil spill and rags to clean up as well a product like goop to clean your hands or purchase a pair of mechanics gloves.
   Don't forget to recycle the oil by taking it to your local Auto Parts Store. Don't pollute the environment by pouring on the ground or down drains.
   
   Hope this helps.

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