How to Change Your Own Motor Oil

While not necessarily much more cost effective than just taking your car down to the local Jiffy Lube for an oil and fluid change, changing your own vehicle's motor oil can be a rewarding experience regardless of the amount of expertise you have in automotive mechanics. Changing your own motor oil is not as complicated as it may sound, and anyone with an even basic familiarity with hand tools is in a position to change his/her own motor oil. What follows is a step by step guide to changing your own motor oil, including everything from what equipment you will need to how much oil to use.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

The first step in changing your own motor oil is to gather your tools and materials. To change your own motor oil you will need all of the following, most of which can be obtained at the local automotive and/or hardware store (If you are unsure of the specifics of any given item, just ask the customer service representative at the store. He/she will be able to guide you in the right direction.): five to six quarts of whatever oil your car uses, a ratcheting wrench and socket set, a new oil filter (again, ask the automotive store for guidance in choosing one for your vehicle), a large enough bucket to drain out the old motor oil, and something to elevate your car (I prefer ramps rather than a jack for safety reasons.). You may also wish to use the following optional items, such as a "Creeper" to allow you to lay on your back and roll yourself under the vehicle, and also an oil filter wrench to allow you to remove the old oil filter quickly and easily.

Step 2: Raise the Vehicle