How to Change Car Oil by Yourself?
2 Answers
Here are the steps to change car oil by yourself: 1. Lift the car, remove the protective plate, and place a container under the oil drain plug; 2. Unscrew the oil drain plug, use an air gun to blow for two minutes at the oil filler port, then tighten the drain plug after the oil is completely drained and wipe it with a tissue to check for leaks; 3. Reinstall the protective plate, lower the car, and add new oil through the filler port. Precautions for changing oil include: 1. Perform the task while the engine is warm to ensure thorough drainage of old oil; 2. Add the correct amount of new oil; 3. After adding oil, start the engine to check for leaks, then run it for 3 minutes to confirm the oil level reaches the normal mark.
I always find changing the oil myself both cost-effective and convenient. First, park the car on level ground when it's cold, lift it with a jack and secure it safely with jack stands—safety first. Prepare the necessary tools: new oil (usually around 4-6 liters, just make sure the type matches), an oil filter, a drain pan, wrench and socket tools, gloves, and rags. Open the hood and locate the drain plug, usually underneath the chassis. Place the drain pan before loosening the plug, then slowly drain the old oil—be careful not to burn yourself. Once the oil has fully drained into the pan, replace the plug and wait a few minutes. Next, replace the oil filter by unscrewing the old one, applying a bit of new oil to the new filter’s gasket, and hand-tightening the new filter—don’t overtighten. After that, securely tighten the drain plug to prevent leaks, then pour in the new oil using a funnel until it reaches the middle mark on the dipstick—don’t overfill. Start the car and let it run for a few minutes to check for leaks, then measure the oil level again and clean up your tools. Changing the oil yourself saves money—about 200-300 yuan each time. Remember to take the used oil to a recycling center for proper disposal to prevent pollution. I make it a habit to change the oil every 5,000 kilometers to extend the car’s lifespan.
