Car Maintenance | DontKnowCars.com

As an overview of the impending job, you’re going to drain all of the oil from the engine into a container and remove the old filter, then replace the filter and oil with new stuff. Here are the steps:

1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature (so the oil flows easily), then turn the engine OFF. (Of course, make sure your work space has sufficient ventilation.)

2. Remove the oil filler cap located on the top of the engine’s valve cover, typically marked OIL.

3. Raise and safely support the front (or back) of the vehicle, depending on where the engine is, with a jack and stands.

4. Slide the drain pan under the oil pan’s drain plug, a bolt head located at the lowest point on the engine. Be careful to not touch the warm engine.

5. Loosen the drain plug using a correctly-sized socket or box wrench (not an adjustable wrench) so the plug isn’t damaged.

6. Carefully remove the drain plug so the hot oil that begins flowing falls into the drain pan and not on to your hands. Allow all the oil to drain out of the pan before proceeding. While you’re waiting, inspect the drain plug and washer for damage, replacing as needed.

7. Carefully move the drain pan under the filter to catch oil as the filter is removed.

8. Slip the oil filter wrench over the end of the filter until it is near the engine. Then move the filter handle until it cinches down on the filter and begins turning it counter-clockwise or off. Unscrew the filter cartridge by hand, then carefully tip it so hot oil in the filter flows into the drain pan. Once drained, wipe excess oil from the filter connection.

9. Make sure that all oil has drained from the pan and the filter connection, then replace the drain plug and tighten with a wrench.