Can I change the engine oil by myself?

[PenelopeRose]

You can change the engine oil by yourself, but it is recommended to go to a 4S shop for the first maintenance if it's a new car. Here is the relevant introduction about engine oil: 1. Four-stroke engine oil: The viscosity grade classification of four-stroke engine oil applies to the classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers, namely the SAE classification. The winter oil grades of SAE lubricating oil viscosity classification are: 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, 25W. The symbol W represents winter, and the smaller the number before W, the lower the low-temperature viscosity, the better the low-temperature fluidity, and the lower the applicable minimum temperature. 2. Two-stroke engine oil: The viscosity grade classification of two-stroke engine oil applies to the classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers, namely the SAE classification. Two-stroke gasoline engine oil has two viscosity grades, namely SAE20 and SAE30. Generally, SAE30 is selected. If it is separate lubrication, used in cold areas, or for ultra-light load two-stroke engines, SAE20 is used.

[LaLondon]

Last time I changed the oil myself, I almost turned the garage into an oil field! It's totally doable, but you need to prepare ramps or a pit—I borrowed a friend's lift to get it done. The full set of tools including wrenches, oil filter pliers, and drain pan cost me 300 yuan, and buying discounted oil online saved me 150 yuan in labor fees. However, disposing of the used oil was a hassle—I had to carry the oil container to two auto repair shops before someone would take it. I recommend beginners start with Japanese cars for practice; the screw positions on German car underbody panels are downright inhumane. After finishing, I realized I had half a liter of oil left because I forgot to check the manual for the capacity—don't make the same silly mistake I did.

[SanAlina]

Changing engine oil by yourself is like dyeing hair at home—it looks easy in tutorials, but turns into a messy disaster in practice. I’ve been maintaining my old Jetta since I bought it, and the trick is to get a kit with an oil extraction pump (costs around 280 RMB on Taobao). No need to crawl under the car—just insert the pump into the dipstick hole to drain the oil. When replacing the oil filter, remember to apply a thin layer of oil on the new filter’s rubber seal. But last month, I stripped the oil pan drain plug threads and had to spend 200 RMB at a machine shop to rethread it. In the end, the money I saved went straight into tools and repair costs. Now I’ve learned my lesson: for routine maintenance, I use group-bought deals at chain shops, and only tackle tricky problems myself.

[GarrettLynn]

Think changing engine oil is super easy after reading forum tutorials? That's exactly what I thought too. During my first attempt, I asked my neighbor to help pour the oil, and he accidentally added transmission fluid into the engine! The towing fee alone cost me 500. If you're determined to DIY, here are some life-saving tips: 1. Buy the correct viscosity grade (e.g., 5W-30); 2. Work on a cold engine to avoid burns; 3. Loosen the oil pan bolts diagonally; 4. Check the dipstick before starting the engine. Later, I discovered that chain quick-service shops charge only about 100 yuan more for minor maintenance—saving time and hassle, plus they throw in a car wash. Unless you enjoy the fun of DIY, I honestly don't recommend doing it yourself.

[ReaganFitz]

As a female car owner, I have successfully changed the engine oil three times. Key tips: Choose a jack with double the load capacity (starting from 2 tons), and a ramp stand is more stable than safety stands. Prepare old towels to place under the filter to catch dripping oil, and wear nitrile gloves to prevent skin allergies. The most crucial step is to start the engine for 30 seconds after changing the oil, then turn it off and let it sit for 10 minutes before checking the dipstick—once I didn’t wait long enough and mistakenly added too much oil. Now, I always buy engine oil with a bottle that has a built-in measuring device, which is much more intuitive than reading the scale. However, a reminder: Used engine oil is hazardous waste, and our property management can handle its disposal.

[EvaAnn]

Don't be fooled by viral videos! The most dangerous part of DIY oil changes is vehicle slippage. I've personally seen cars propped on bricks slide off and crush legs. If you must attempt it: Always use professional jack stands (four-point load bearing), loosen the oil pan drain plug halfway first to let oil fully drain. Pro tip: Some models allow oil extraction via dipstick tube, eliminating undercarriage risks. Also, never use regular wrenches on filters - invest in a proper oil filter cup tool to avoid casing damage. Honestly: Maintenance apps offer oil changes for just over 200 yuan now - why risk injury to save pennies? Unless you're running modified engines requiring specialty oils.