Tips for Performing an Oil Change

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Steps to change the oil on most common cars

1. Be prepared by having the correct amount of oil and filter as well as a new oil pan drain plug gasket.

2. Warm up your engine so that it's close to operating temperature.

3. Raise the car safely on jack stands or ramps. Make sure you use the proper drain plug wrench and oil filter wrench and remove both the oil filter and drain plug. Have your drain pan ready so you can capture and drain all the oil until it slows to a small drip.  

4. Install a new filter by first wiping a small amount of oil on the o-ring seal. Check the seal surface to be sure no other old seal remained in place on the engine. Hand tighten filter per spec to seal the filter. Install new gasket and drain plug per spec and hand tighten.  

5. Add 4 quarts of oil.

6. Start engine watch for oil light to off. Turn off engine check for leaks.

7. Check dipstick oil level. Add extra oil if needed.

8. Reset oil reminder service light per factory reset procedure.

9.Add reminder to your phone to repeat service in 3 months or 3000 miles or factory recommendation interval.

10. Remove jack stands or lower car from ramps. Recheck oil level. These common steps can be useful on most cars or light trucks however more and more cars are going to canister type oil filters and some require special tools . Others have shields and skid plates that may also interfere with gaining access to your oil plug and filter. Always check first ahead of time to be better prepared