In this series of articles, John, an expert mechanic at one of our Denver-area AAMCO car repair centers, will give advice on a variety of do-it-yourself car maintenance topics. Today, John explains how to change your oil and filter.

When and How to Change Your Own Oil

Howdy, everybody. Today we’re going to talk about how to change your oil. An oil change every 3000-4000 miles, or about every 3 months is probably the most important thing you can do to maintain your vehicle, and the good news is that you can save a little bit of money by doing it yourself, if you have the right tools and are comfortable working under your hood.

Here’s what you’ll need: Old rags, newspapers, work gloves, new oil filter, wrenches, ratchet and socket sets, funnels, a drainage pan, a plastic container, 4-5 quarts of motor oil, and a car jack (if your vehicle has low clearance).

Want to check your work?

Visit your nearest locally owned AAMCO Colorado today to get a complete checkup to ensure you changed your oil correctly. 

Getting Ready to Change Your Oil

Start by gathering all of the tools you’ll need (refer to the necessary tools above). If your car has a low clearance make sure you have a jack and know how to use it. Make sure the car is parked on a level surface. Next, turn on your vehicle and let it run for ten minutes. This will help you drain your oil, since warm oil drains faster than cool oil. After ten minutes, turn off your engine, then open your hood and put the new oil and funnel on top of the engine. This will help you remember to add new oil before you finish. Forgetting to add new oil can be an expensive mistake!

Related: Why Are Oil Changes Important?

Related: Keeping Up With Oil Change Service

Related: 5 Ways Oil Changes Keep Your Car Going

Changing Your Oil Filter

Next, let’s change the oil filter. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact location of the oil filter on your car, truck, or SUV. It’s usually on the side of the engine. Put the oil pan beneath the filter to catch any remaining oil, and the use a wrench to unscrew the filter. Use an old rag to wipe up the area where the filter is mounted to the engine.

Now, take some new oil and lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter that you’re going to install. Once the rubber seal is coated, screw in the new filter. Make sure it’s securely in place, but it does not need to be overly-tight.

Adding New Oil

Remember to add new oil! It sounds silly, but people come into our AAMCO center who’ve drained their old oil, put in a new filter, forgotten to add new oil, and then started their engine. Don’t be this person. Find the oil cap and open it. Place the funnel into the opening and pour in your new oil, about 4-5 quarts. Remove the funnel and replace the oil cap. Next, turn on your engine and let it run for a minute, then check the dipstick. If it’s still low, add more oil.