Changing Oil in Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Learning how to change oil in your car is a fundamental skill for any car owner. It’s not only one of the most basic vehicle maintenance tasks but also one of the most crucial for keeping your engine running smoothly and extending the life of your vehicle. Many people feel intimidated by car maintenance, but changing your oil is surprisingly straightforward and can save you a significant amount of money and time compared to going to a mechanic or dealership. As experienced auto repair professionals, we can confidently say that mastering the oil change is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to become more familiar with their car and basic auto care.

In this guide, we will break down the process of changing your car’s oil into simple, easy-to-follow steps. With our detailed instructions and helpful tips, you’ll gain the confidence to perform oil changes yourself and understand one of the most vital aspects of car maintenance. While we encourage hands-on learning, please remember to prioritize safety and never attempt car repairs when tired or under the influence.

For more essential car maintenance guides and expert advice, be sure to explore the rest of our resources at cardiagnosticnearme.com.

Getting Ready to Change Your Oil

Before you begin, you’ll need to gather a few essential tools and materials to ensure a smooth and efficient oil change:

Wrench or Ratchet with Socket Set: Essential for loosening and tightening the drain plug and potentially the oil filter housing. Socket sizes vary by car, so check your vehicle’s specifications.
Oil Filter Wrench: While some oil filters can be removed by hand, an oil filter wrench provides extra grip for stubborn filters.
Funnel: A funnel is crucial for pouring new oil into the engine without spills.
Oil Drain Pan/Container: A container specifically designed for catching used oil, preventing messes and allowing for proper disposal.
Car Jack and Jack Stands OR Ramps: To safely elevate your vehicle and access the oil drain plug underneath. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
Rags or Shop Towels: For wiping up spills and keeping your workspace clean.
Gloves (Nitrile or Latex): Protects your hands from used oil and chemicals.
Safety Glasses: Essential eye protection to prevent debris or oil from splashing into your eyes.
New Engine Oil: The correct type and quantity for your vehicle (see below).
New Oil Filter: The correct type for your vehicle (see below).

Choosing the Right Engine Oil for Your Car

Selecting the correct engine oil is critical for your car’s performance and longevity. Using the wrong type of oil can lead to reduced engine lubrication, increased wear and tear, and even engine damage. Fortunately, finding the right oil for your car is usually straightforward.

The recommended oil grade and type for your vehicle are typically found in two places:

Engine Oil Cap: Often, the top of your engine oil filler cap will have the recommended oil grade printed directly on it (e.g., 5W-30).
Owner’s Manual: Your car’s owner’s manual contains detailed specifications for all fluids, including engine oil. Consult the “Maintenance” or “Fluid Specifications” section.

If you are still unsure or need further assistance, reputable auto parts stores like AutoZone or O’Reilly Auto Parts have online tools and knowledgeable staff who can help you identify the correct oil for your specific car make, model, and year. Simply input your vehicle information on their websites, and they will provide a list of compatible oils.

Determining When to Change Your Car Oil

Knowing when to perform an oil change is just as important as knowing how. Regular oil changes are vital for maintaining engine health and preventing premature wear. The frequency of oil changes depends on several factors, including your vehicle’s age, the type of oil used, and your driving habits.

Older Vehicles: Vehicles manufactured before the 2000s often require more frequent oil changes, typically every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. This is due to older engine technologies and conventional oils that break down faster.
Newer Vehicles: Modern vehicles, especially those using synthetic or synthetic blend oils, can often go longer between oil changes. Many manufacturers recommend intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or even 10,000 miles for some models.

The most reliable source for your vehicle’s specific oil change interval is your owner’s manual. It will provide the manufacturer’s recommended schedule based on normal and severe driving conditions. “Severe driving” can include frequent stop-and-go traffic, towing, extreme temperatures, or dusty conditions. If you primarily drive under severe conditions, you may need to change your oil more frequently.

Essential Safety Precautions Before You Start

Safety should always be your top priority when working on your car. Before you begin your oil change, please adhere to these safety guidelines:

Cool Engine: Never attempt to change your oil immediately after driving. Allow your engine to cool down completely for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Hot oil and engine components can cause severe burns.
Secure Vehicle: Ensure your car is parked on a level surface and the parking brake is firmly engaged. Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels for extra security, especially when using ramps.
Eye Protection: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from splashing oil or debris.
Hand Protection: Wear gloves to protect your skin from used oil, which can contain harmful contaminants.
Proper Lifting Technique: If using a jack and jack stands, follow your jack and jack stand manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Never rely solely on a jack to support your vehicle. Always use jack stands for safety.
Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area, especially if working indoors, as used oil fumes can be unpleasant and potentially harmful.

With safety covered, let’s proceed with the 5 steps to change your car oil.

Step 1: Safely Lift Your Vehicle

To access the oil drain plug located underneath your car, you’ll need to safely raise the vehicle. There are two common methods for lifting your car for an oil change: using ramps or a jack and jack stands.

Using Car Ramps:

Car ramps are generally considered the easier and often safer option for beginners.

Position the Ramps: Place the ramps in front of the front tires (or rear tires for some vehicles, consult your owner’s manual if unsure). Ensure they are firmly positioned on a level surface and aligned with your tires.
Slowly Drive onto Ramps: Drive your car slowly and carefully up the ramps. Have a helper guide you to ensure you drive straight onto the ramps. Stop immediately once the tires are fully on the ramps and the car is level.
Secure the Vehicle: Once the car is on the ramps, place wheel chocks (wooden blocks or commercially available chocks) behind the rear wheels to prevent any rolling.

Using a Car Jack and Jack Stands:

Using a jack and jack stands provides more clearance under the car but requires extra caution.

Consult Your Owner’s Manual: Locate the designated jacking points for your vehicle. These are reinforced areas of the frame designed to safely lift the car. Jacking points are typically indicated in your owner’s manual.
Position the Jack: Place the jack securely under the designated jacking point.
Raise the Vehicle: Slowly and steadily raise the vehicle with the jack until it is high enough to allow you to comfortably work underneath.
Position Jack Stands: Place jack stands under the frame rails or designated support points near the jacking point. Consult your owner’s manual for recommended jack stand placement locations.
Lower the Vehicle onto Jack Stands: Carefully and slowly lower the jack until the car’s weight is fully supported by the jack stands. Ensure the jack stands are securely positioned and supporting the vehicle before removing the jack completely. Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it is stable on the jack stands.

Important Safety Reminder: Double-check that your car is stable and securely supported by either the ramps or jack stands before proceeding to the next step. Never work under a vehicle that is only supported by a jack.

Step 2: Locate the Oil Pan and Drain the Old Oil

Once your car is safely lifted, the next step is to locate the oil pan and drain the old, used engine oil.

Locate the Oil Pan: Slide underneath your car and locate the oil pan. It’s typically a large, metal pan located at the bottom of the engine. It will have a drain plug at the lowest point. If your car has an undertray (a plastic or metal panel underneath the engine), you may need to remove it to access the oil pan.
Remove the Undertray (if applicable): Undertrays are usually held in place by bolts, screws, or plastic clips. Use the appropriate tools (screwdriver, socket wrench, or trim removal tool) to carefully remove the undertray and set it aside.
Position the Oil Drain Pan: Place your oil drain pan directly underneath the oil drain plug on the oil pan. Ensure it is positioned to catch all the draining oil.
Loosen the Drain Plug: Using the correct size wrench or socket, loosen the oil drain plug. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen. Do not remove it completely yet.
Remove the Drain Plug and Drain Oil: Once the drain plug is loose, carefully unscrew it the rest of the way by hand, keeping slight upward pressure to prevent oil from gushing out immediately. Once removed, let the old oil drain completely into the drain pan. Be careful as the oil may still be warm, even if the engine has cooled.
Inspect the Drain Plug: While the oil is draining, inspect the drain plug and its gasket (if it has one). If the gasket is damaged or worn, replace it with a new one to ensure a leak-proof seal.
Replace the Drain Plug: Once the oil flow slows to a drip, clean the drain plug with a rag and reinstall it. Tighten the drain plug to the manufacturer’s specified torque if known (refer to your owner’s manual or a repair manual). If torque specs are unavailable, tighten it snugly by hand and then give it about a quarter turn more with a wrench. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the oil pan.
Reinstall Undertray (if removed): If you removed an undertray, reinstall it securely after replacing the drain plug.

Step 3: Replace the Oil Filter

After draining the old oil, the next crucial step is to replace the engine oil filter. The oil filter removes contaminants from the engine oil, ensuring clean oil circulates through your engine.

Locate the Oil Filter: The oil filter’s location varies depending on your vehicle’s engine. It’s typically found somewhere on the engine block, often accessible from either above or below the car. If you can’t easily locate it, consult your owner’s manual or a repair manual for its specific location.
Position the Drain Pan (again): Place your oil drain pan underneath the oil filter area to catch any residual oil that will spill when you remove the filter.
Loosen the Oil Filter: Some oil filters can be unscrewed by hand. If your filter is too tight to remove by hand, use an oil filter wrench to loosen it. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen.
Unscrew and Remove the Old Oil Filter: Once loosened, carefully unscrew the oil filter completely by hand. Be prepared for some oil to spill out as you remove it. Hold the old filter upright to minimize spillage and carefully remove it.
Prepare the New Oil Filter: Take your new oil filter and remove it from its packaging. Locate the rubber gasket (O-ring) on the new filter. Dip your finger into your new, clean engine oil and lightly lubricate this rubber gasket with fresh oil. This helps create a proper seal and prevents the gasket from sticking or tearing during installation.
Install the New Oil Filter: Thread the new oil filter onto the filter housing by hand. Screw it on until the rubber gasket makes contact with the filter housing. Then, tighten it by hand another half to three-quarters of a turn, as per the instructions usually printed on the oil filter box. Do not overtighten the oil filter with a wrench, as this can damage the filter or housing and make it difficult to remove next time.
Clean Up Spills: Wipe up any spilled oil around the filter area with a rag.

Step 4: Lower Your Car and Add New Oil

With the old oil drained and the new filter installed, it’s time to lower your car and refill the engine with fresh oil.

Lower the Vehicle: If you used ramps, carefully drive the car slowly off the ramps, ensuring a smooth and controlled descent. If you used a jack and jack stands, slowly raise the car slightly with the jack to take the weight off the jack stands, remove the jack stands, and then carefully lower the car completely to the ground.
Locate the Oil Fill Cap: Open your car’s hood. Locate the engine oil fill cap. It’s usually marked with an oil can symbol and the oil grade (e.g., 5W-30). It’s typically on top of the engine.
Remove the Oil Fill Cap: Unscrew and remove the oil fill cap.
Insert the Funnel: Place your funnel securely into the oil fill opening.
Add New Engine Oil: Pour the correct amount of new engine oil into the funnel. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact oil capacity for your engine. It’s usually specified in quarts or liters. If you’re unsure, start by adding slightly less than the specified amount, as you can always add more later.
Replace the Oil Fill Cap: Once you’ve added the oil, remove the funnel and replace the oil fill cap, tightening it securely by hand.

Determining How Much Oil Your Car Needs

Adding the correct amount of oil is crucial. Too little oil can lead to engine damage due to inadequate lubrication. Too much oil can also be harmful, potentially causing issues like oil leaks or increased oil pressure.

Always consult your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s exact engine oil capacity. This information is usually found in the “Maintenance” or “Fluid Specifications” section. Oil capacity is typically measured in quarts or liters.

If you cannot find your owner’s manual, you can often find this information online by searching for your car’s year, make, model, and “engine oil capacity.” Reliable automotive websites or parts retailers’ websites may also provide this information.

Step 5: Check Your Oil Level

The final step is to check the engine oil level to ensure it’s within the safe operating range.

Locate the Dipstick: Find the engine oil dipstick. It’s usually a brightly colored handle (often yellow or orange) located near the engine. Consult your owner’s manual if you have trouble locating it.
Pull Out and Wipe the Dipstick: Pull the dipstick out completely. Wipe it clean with a rag or shop towel.
Reinsert the Dipstick: Push the dipstick all the way back into its tube until it is fully seated.
Remove and Read the Dipstick: Pull the dipstick out again and observe the oil level on the dipstick. The dipstick will have markings indicating the “low” and “high” or “min” and “max” oil levels. The oil level should be between these marks, ideally closer to the “high” or “max” mark.
Add Oil if Necessary: If the oil level is below the “low” or “min” mark, add a little more new oil (a half quart or so at a time) through the oil fill opening, using the funnel. Recheck the dipstick after each addition until the oil level is within the acceptable range. Avoid overfilling.
Start the Engine and Check for Leaks: Start your car’s engine and let it run for a minute or two. Check underneath the car for any leaks around the drain plug or oil filter area. If you see any leaks, immediately turn off the engine and address the issue (e.g., tighten the drain plug or oil filter further, check gasket seals).
Final Dipstick Check: Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle back into the pan. Check the oil level one last time with the dipstick to ensure it’s still within the correct range.

Congratulations! You have successfully changed the oil in your car. Remember to properly dispose of the used oil and old oil filter at a designated recycling center or auto parts store that accepts used oil.

Changing Car Oil FAQs

Can I just add oil instead of changing it completely?

While it might seem tempting to just “top off” your oil by adding new oil without draining the old, this is strongly discouraged. Engine oil degrades over time and use, losing its viscosity and accumulating contaminants. Simply adding new oil to old oil doesn’t remove these contaminants or restore the oil’s protective properties effectively. Mixing new and old oil can also accelerate the degradation of the new oil. For optimal engine health and lubrication, it’s essential to drain the old oil and replace it entirely with fresh oil at the recommended intervals.

Is changing your own oil worth the effort?

Absolutely! Changing your own oil offers several significant benefits:

Cost Savings: DIY oil changes are considerably cheaper than having a mechanic or dealership do it. You save on labor costs and often on parts as well.
Convenience: You can change your oil at your convenience, without needing to schedule an appointment or wait at a shop.
Vehicle Familiarity: Performing basic maintenance like oil changes helps you become more familiar with your car’s components and how they work.
Skill Development: Learning to change your oil is a valuable basic auto maintenance skill that can empower you to tackle other DIY car care tasks.
Peace of Mind: You know exactly what type of oil and filter are being used in your car, and that the job is done correctly.

For aspiring mechanics, mastering oil changes is a foundational skill and a frequently performed service.

How difficult is it to change my car’s oil by myself?

With some basic tools, a bit of preparation, and this guide, changing your car’s oil is a manageable task for most car owners, even beginners. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding car maintenance tasks you can undertake yourself. The steps are straightforward, and with a little patience and attention to detail, you can confidently perform oil changes at home and save money while taking better care of your vehicle.

If you’re interested in expanding your automotive knowledge and skills further, consider exploring formal automotive technician training programs. These programs provide in-depth hands-on experience and can open doors to a career in the automotive service industry.