What drives gas prices? Understanding the complex factors
Gas prices are very sensitive to changes in supply and demand. Natural disasters such as hurricanes that disrupt oil production or refining, or sudden increases in demand, can cause prices to spike.
- Changing the oil yourself can save you money and prevent unnecessary high prices.
- Check your oil level and type using your owner’s manual or online resources before starting the process.
- Gather the necessary tools such as an oil drain pan, wrench, filter wrench, funnel, and jack stands.
- Recycle used oil at an auto parts store or chemical recycling center.
Oil change shops are everywhere, and most of them have good intentions. They will effectively change your oil, but they may try to convince you to purchase service add-ons that you don’t want or need.
Replacing your own oil eliminates upsells and reduces costs. You need to know the exact oil your car uses, how to check the level, how to drain old oil, and how to use the necessary tools.
Your first attempts may be tedious and difficult, but the more you try, the easier the task will become. Here’s how to change your oil yourself without the help of an auto shop.
check oil level
Before we begin, you need to make sure that you actually need an oil change.
Mechanics advise that you should change your engine oil on average every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the type of oil you use. Check the manual or online for vehicle requirements. If the oil is low or dirty, it is better to replace it as soon as possible.
You can check this by pulling out the level gauge while the motor is stopped. Wipe the oil off the dipstick with a towel and then reinsert and remove it again. Look where the oil is on the stick. If the value is close to the maximum line, there should be no problem. If it’s close to the minimum line, you need to change the oil or add more oil.
Also pay attention to the color of the oil. If it’s black, it means it’s dirty. If it’s dark brown, the oil is okay.
Check the type of oil your car uses
Putting the wrong motor oil in your car can cause unwanted problems. To avoid this problem, check your owner’s manual or online to find the oil recommended for your car.
Be sure to find the right oil filter that your car needs. The owner’s manual will also tell you the socket size needed to remove the oil drain plug.
Make sure you have the right tools
Before you start draining, you need to make sure you have the right tools.
- An oil drain pan for pouring old oil prevents dirt.
- Wearing gloves and having a towel available will help you stay clean.
- Safety glasses prevent liquids and dirt from getting into your eyes.
- If your car has an oil drain plug and underbody shield, you can use a ratchet wrench to remove the oil drain plug and underbody shield.
- An oil filter wrench will loosen the filter and allow it to be easily removed.
- The funnel allows you to pour new oil into the engine without spilling oil on other components under the hood.
- Mechanical creepers allow you to slide under the vehicle, allowing you to work on the underbody.
If your car is low to the ground or you want to raise it when changing the oil, be sure to use a floor jack and jack stands to lift your car.
It’s time to start
First, turn on your car and let it run for a few minutes until the oil warms up, then turn it off. Cold oil will drain slower, but hot oil can burn you, so it’s best to hit a middle ground.
Apply the parking brake to hold the car in place and jack up the car with a floor jack and jack stands. If your car has a high ground clearance, you may not need to increase the ground clearance at all.
empty old oil
Once your car is in a place where you can easily get under it, you’re ready to drain. Open the bonnet and remove the oil cap. This will improve oil flow. Place an oil drain pan under the oil drain plug to catch old oil. Then use a socket wrench to loosen the drain plug.
Once the plug is loose, remove it and oil will come out. Once everything has been drained, put the drain valve back on and close it tightly.
I’ll try replacing the oil filter
Make sure the oil drain pan is under the filter before replacing. Use an oil filter wrench to loosen and remove the filter. Be careful as oil will come out from here as well.
Take out the new filter, pour some oil into it, and insert it. If you tighten it with an oil filter wrench, it will be difficult to remove it the next time you change the oil, so please tighten it by hand. If you jacked up your car, you can lower it to the ground and remove the floor jack and stand.
add new oil
Place the funnel on the oil filler and pour in the new oil. Be sure to follow the recommended amounts listed in your owner’s manual to avoid overfilling your engine. Wait a few minutes and check the new oil level on the dipstick. If you overfill it, you will need to drain some of it as it can damage the engine. If you didn’t add enough, add more slowly until you reach the recommended level.
Once the optimal amount of oil is in the engine, close the bonnet. If your car is new and has an oil life meter in the infotainment system or gauge cluster, be sure to reset it.
Start the engine and circulate the oil
If you don’t know what to do with an old pot of oil, recycle it. Many auto parts stores will take your old oil and recycle it for free. If your local store doesn’t accept it, or you don’t have a store near you, try finding a local chemical collection center.
Learning how to change your own oil will save you money while keeping your car in top condition. Once you learn the process, you won’t have to worry about being asked to add other services to increase your bill. If you feel confident enough to change the oil yourself, you may be ready to do more difficult work on your car.
