Performing Your Own Oil Change: A Guide

If you've never completed an oil change on your own car, it is advised to at least try it once. Although the highest recommendation is to have your regular oil changes performed by a professional mechanic because there are certain things that their trained eye can see and certain things they know to look for when it comes to any issues therein and especially with recommending an upgrade of motor oil type. But you can perform this basic maintenance at home one or twice if the first one goes well. The key is in getting it done the first time so that you can build up confidence. As a driver it is critical to be connected with your vehicle and to know what is going on under the hood and under the car on a regular basis.

The first step is to ask for help, especially if you know or fear that you're going to need it. An oil change is pretty straightforward. The help that you can seek is asking your local mechanic for tips during your next auto repair, inspection or even oil change about what you should and should not do. You can also ask a family member for help with the job for support and so you won't make a mess all over your driveway.

The second step is to actually carry through with the process. First, use your dipstick to check your level and quality of the oil in your system. Second, you will place a pan under your car at just the right spot and open the plug at the base. Give it a few minutes to completely drain. Third, replace the cap and use a funnel to replace the oil. Be careful not to overfill on your first try. This is when the advice of your mechanic and a more knowledgeable family member comes in handy. He or she may actually recommend flushing your engine if you've gone way past 3000 or 5000 miles. Lastly, you can replace the cap and start your car and listen to it purr or whatever animal sound you liken the sound to. The process of clean up should be pretty straightforward as well. You can find an environmentally conscious way to properly dispose of the used motor oil and not think about your engine for several months.

Place the date some place dependable so that you can keep up with the mileage or months flying by for the timing of your next oil change. Next time and every time thereafter you may opt for only professional replacement, but at least you tried. Besides, your car needs the inspection, the tune up, repairs, and replacements that come with a professional garage, not unless you want to learn how to do those as well.