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How to Change Your Oil (COMPLETE Guide)
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How to Change Your Oil (COMPLETE Guide)

How to Change the Oil in Your Car or Truck

Introduction to Oil Change

  • Chrisfix introduces the video, aimed at beginners who have never performed an oil change before.
  • Emphasizes the benefits of doing it yourself: using quality oil and filters, saving money, and enjoying car maintenance.

Tools Required for an Oil Change

  • Lists essential tools: socket set, gloves, paper towels, oil and filter, oil filter wrench, catch pan, funnel, breaker bar.
  • Mentions alternatives for lifting the vehicle: ramps or jacks; suggests using a curb if necessary.
  • Provides links in the description for viewers to find tools used in the video.

Finding the Right Oil

  • Advises checking the owner's manual for specific oil requirements including capacity and viscosity.
  • Confirms that 4.25 quarts of 0W20 synthetic oil is needed based on manual specifications.

Selecting Motor Oil

  • Discusses options available in stores; highlights importance of choosing correct viscosity (0W20).
  • Addresses myths about synthetic oils; reassures viewers they can switch between synthetic and conventional oils as needed.

Recommended Maintenance Practices

  • Suggests following manufacturer recommendations for changing oil mileage; mentions personal practice of changing at around 5,000 miles.
  • Shares experience with a high-mileage vehicle still running well after consistent maintenance.

Choosing an Oil Filter

  • Guides viewers on selecting an appropriate filter by referencing their vehicle's specifics; recommends quality brands like Purelator.

Steps to Perform an Oil Change

Preparing to Lift Vehicle

  • Outlines three main steps: draining old oil, replacing the filter, filling with new oil.

How to Safely Change Your Car's Oil

Jacking Up the Car

  • To begin, jack up the car and place jack stands under a sturdy part of the frame for safety. Lower the car onto the jack stands to create space for accessing the oil drain plug.
  • Once securely supported by jack stands, it’s advisable to place the jack back on the frame as an additional safety measure against potential slips or malfunctions.

Preferred Method: Using Ramps

  • The speaker prefers using ramps over jacks for oil changes due to their ease and safety. Ramps elevate the vehicle significantly, allowing better access underneath.
  • After parking on ramps, engage the emergency brake and block off rear tires before proceeding. Shake the car to ensure stability before going underneath.

Locating Key Components

  • Underneath, locate the oil drain pan which is typically black with a bolt. This is essential for draining old oil during maintenance.
  • Distinguish between different pans; while looking for the oil drain pan, be aware that other pans like transmission drain pans may not have bolts.

Preparing for Oil Drainage

  • Identify both the oil drain plug and filter; in this case, they are easily accessible beneath the vehicle.
  • Before removing any components, position an oil collection pan beneath to catch draining fluid effectively.

Removing Drain Plug

  • Use a 14mm socket on a ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise (righty-tighty lefty-loosey). If resistance is met, consider using a breaker bar for added leverage.
  • If lacking a breaker bar, extend your ratchet's handle with a pipe for increased torque when loosening stubborn plugs.

Draining Oil Safely

  • Allow all old oil to fully drain into your collection pan. It’s noted that changing oil can be done cold without risk of burns from hot engine parts.
  • Some recommend warming up your engine briefly before changing oil; however, it's not strictly necessary if you allow adequate time after running it beforehand.

Final Steps After Draining

  • Replace any gaskets associated with your drain plug as they are often one-time use items. While some reuse them successfully once or twice, replacing them is generally recommended for best practice.

How to Change Your Oil and Oil Filter

Step 1: Tightening the Drain Plug

  • To tighten the drain plug, turn it clockwise using a small ratchet instead of a breaker bar. This ensures you only make it snug without over-tightening.
  • Over-tightening can strip the drain plug and lead to further issues. Aim for 20 foot-pounds of torque, which is minimal effort.

Step 2: Removing the Old Oil Filter

  • If the oil filter is too tight to remove by hand, various tools are available. The preferred tool is an adjustable wrench that accommodates different sizes.
  • An adjustable rubber grip tool can also be effective as it tightens around the filter while turning, making removal easier.
  • A specific socket-style tool exists for each filter size but may not work on smaller filters; thus, versatility in tools is essential.

Step 3: Installing the New Oil Filter

  • After removing the old filter, ensure an oil catch can is positioned below to collect any leaking oil during removal.
  • Pre-oiling the new filter helps prevent dry starts when starting up after installation. Fill it with new oil before installation if possible.
  • Apply a thin layer of oil around the gasket of the new filter to facilitate easier removal next time and prevent leaks.

Final Steps: Adding New Oil

  • Once installed, do not use tools to tighten; simply secure it by hand. Clean hands or use a towel if they become slippery from oil.
  • When adding new oil, clean around the fill cap first to avoid debris entering the engine. Use a funnel for precise pouring.
  • Pouring sideways provides better control over flow and reduces spills when filling with new oil; aim for four quarts total after accounting for pre-filling.

Conclusion: Completing Your Oil Change

Oil Change Process Overview

Preparing for the Oil Check

  • Begin by leveling the car and checking for oil lights. The absence of an oil light indicates that the engine is receiving oil properly.
  • After starting the engine, let it sit for about five minutes to allow all oil to settle before checking levels.

Checking Oil Levels

  • When inspecting the dipstick, look for indicators: a dot signifies low oil, while another indicates full. Aim for high but within acceptable limits.
  • If your oil level is too low, add more; however, avoid overfilling as this can lead to engine issues.

Final Steps and Disposal

  • This section concludes with a reminder to ask questions in the comments if any arise after watching the video.
  • Viewers are encouraged to share their experiences with their first oil change after following along with the video instructions.

Responsible Oil Disposal

  • Dispose of drained oil responsibly by using old containers or any suitable receptacle.
Video description

Oil Change. Learn everything there is to know about how to change your oil. Even if you know nothing about cars, after this video, you will be able to change the oil in your car, yourself. I go over every step in detail and teach you everything there is to know about changing your oil. Synthetic Oil I Recommend: http://amzn.to/1qt4Szo Tools I used: Copper Gasket: http://amzn.to/1EY27fK Oil Filter Pliers: http://amzn.to/1gFiBxy Oil Drain Pan: http://amzn.to/1MnqHqP Socket Set: http://amzn.to/1IMqPh2 Breaker Bar: http://amzn.to/1La303D Funnel: http://amzn.to/2zTfBsr Race Ramps: http://amzn.to/1TBOxzz Car Ramps: http://amzn.to/1IMqYB6 Jack: http://amzn.to/1MnqO5D Jack Stands: http://amzn.to/1gFjbvv 300k Mile Oil Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIG_BdsffcU 5min Oil Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYWcL76WMRg Oil Filter Comparison: COMING SOON! Transmission Fluid Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb_1wbiPz9g Become a ChrisFix Subscriber→ http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=paintballoo7 Instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/chrisfixit Facebook→ https://www.facebook.com/chrisfix8 Website → http://www.ChrisFixed.com My Channel Home Page → https://www.youtube.com/ChrisFix **If the video was helpful, remember to give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing. New videos every Thursday** Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix.