How To Change Your Motor Oil

Your motor oil is the lifeblood of your car's engine, so it's important to change it regularly to ensure your car runs smoothly and has the longest lifespan possible. You should change your motor oil about every 3,000 miles, or if you want to be conservative, every 3 months. For most cars today, you don't have to change it this often, but if you drive in hot, dusty conditions, you may want to change it even more often.

Steps:

1: Run your car's engine for 10 minutes.

2: Park the car on an even surface with the parking brake engaged and the engine off. If your car is low to the ground, drive onto a ramp, or use a car jack to raise it.

3: Open the hood and put the oil and funnel on top of the engine so you won't forget to add it.

4: Make sure the car is secure and crawl underneath it.

5: Find the oil drain plug below the engine, usually near the front center of the car.

6: Use the socket wrench (counterclockwise) to loosen the plug, but first put an oil drain pan underneath.

7: Remove the plug and let the oil drain into the pan while holding onto the plug and ensuring the pan catches all of the draining oil.

8: Wipe the drain plug and opening clean with a rag when it's done draining.

9: Replace the gasket.

10: Reinstall the plug (start by hand).

11: Tighten with wrench or socket, but don't overdo it.

12: Find the existing oil filter (typically on the side of the engine).

13: Put oil pan beneath the filter to catch any oil.

14: Use an oil filter wrench to remove the old filter.

15: Wipe off the area where the filter attached to the engine. Make sure the rubber seal is no longer attached.

16: Using new oil, coat the rubber seal of the new filter.

17: Screw the new filter in. You can use your hands, but if you feel you need it, you can also use the wrench.

18: Get out from under your car and find the oil filler cap on top of the engine. Remove it.

19: Put the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil (in most cases about 4 to 5 quarts).

20: Put the cap back on.

21: Run the engine for about a minute and use the dipstick. Add more oil if you need to.

22: Check to make sure the oil drain plug and filter aren't leaking. If they are, tighten them.

23: Wipe away excess oil.

24: After the used oil cools, pour it in a plastic container.

25: Take the used oil to a recycling facility or an auto mechanic who can dispose it for you.

That's all there is to it! Just remember to do this regularly, or your car may have serious problems.