How to Change Car Engine Oil

Regularly replacing the engine oil and oil filter is crucial for keeping your car running smoothly. Over time, the oil quality degrades, and the oil filter can become clogged with debris. Depending on your driving style and the type of vehicle, oil changes may be required more frequently—every 3 months or 4,800 km, or possibly every 24 months or 32,000 km (refer to your vehicle’s maintenance manual for specific intervals). Fortunately, changing the oil is an easy process, and the cost of oil isn’t high. Timely oil changes will help extend the lifespan of your vehicle.

Drive the car onto a flat surface or find a spacious area at ground level to make the task easier.

• Turn off the engine for 5-10 minutes to allow the oil to cool down, and always take precautions when dealing with hot oil.

Shift the car into the 'P' position, remove the key, and engage the parking brake. Afterward, you can safely exit the vehicle.

Place wheel chocks. It's important to block the wheels to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move while you’re working on it.

Identify the lift point. If you're unsure where to lift the car, it's best to consult the owner’s manual for the exact location.

Lift the car.

• Simply raise one side of the vehicle.

Ensure the car is stable. Shake the vehicle to check if it moves or shifts.

Place an oil drain pan under the engine.

• Let the car sit for 10 minutes to cool down the engine. Be cautious of the engine and exhaust pipes as they can be very hot.

Gather necessary tools and materials. Make sure you have the right oil filter and fresh oil for your car.

Remove the oil filler cap. Open the hood and locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine.

Locate the oil reservoir. Find the bottom of the oil compartment, which is the flat metal surface closer to the engine than the transmission system.

• Identify the oil drain plug.
• Make sure you’re locating the engine’s oil drain plug, not the transmission oil plug. If you’re unsure, follow the exhaust pipe as it’s always connected to the engine and runs from the front to the back of the car. The oil compartment’s bottom and the drain plug are located just below the engine.

Remove the drain plug. Loosen the plug by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench or spanner if you have enough room to rotate. If the plug’s gasket is made of paper or fabric, it should be replaced. If it has a metal seal, it can be reused if it’s still in good condition.

Wait. You’ll need to wait for a while for the oil to fully drain out. Once it stops flowing, you can screw the plug back in and replace the gasket if necessary. Check and clean three areas: the drain hole, the plug, and the gasket.

Identify the oil filter’s location. Depending on your car, the oil filter may be in different spots, such as at the front, rear, or alongside the engine.

• Look at the new filter you’ve purchased to know what you’re searching for. Typically, oil filters are cylindrical, white, green, or black in color, about 10.2–15.2 cm long and 7.6 cm wide, similar in size to a soda can.
• Some cars, like BMW, Mercedes, and newer Volvos, have a core-style filter instead of the simpler screw-on type. In these vehicles, you’ll need to open an internal compartment and lift the filter core out.

Remove the filter. First, try gripping the filter by hand and turn it slowly counterclockwise. If it’s too tight to do by hand, you’ll need a special tool. Be sure to place an oil catch pan beneath the filter before fully removing it to avoid spilling oil on the ground.

• To prevent excessive oil spillage when removing the filter, you can wrap a plastic bag around it to catch any oil that flows out. After removing the filter, turn it upside down to let the oil drain into the bag.
• Keep the oil catch pan under the car to collect any oil that may still be trapped in the filter as you remove it.

Prepare the new filter. Dip your finger into the fresh oil and apply it to the gasket of the new filter. This will lubricate the gasket and help it seal better when installing, but be sure to tighten it enough so it can be removed again in the future.

• You should also pour a little fresh oil into the new filter before installation. This will help the engine build oil pressure more quickly. If the filter is installed upright, you can fill it almost all the way, but if it’s installed at an angle, expect a little oil to spill out before you screw it in.

Carefully screw the new filter into place, being cautious not to cross the threads. The filter will usually have instructions on how tight it should be, so check the instructions on the packaging. In general, screw the filter in until it touches the gasket, then tighten it an additional quarter turn.

Fill the engine with fresh oil. Refer to your vehicle’s manual to determine the correct oil capacity, which is usually listed under “capacity.”

• If you hold the oil container with the spout facing forward, the oil will flow smoothly without causing bubbles.
• Always use the recommended type of oil. Usually, a 10W-30 motor oil works for most vehicles, but check your manual or consult with a store employee for the best match for your car.
• Don’t rely solely on the dipstick to check oil levels, especially right after the engine has been running (the dipstick may show a low level because oil is still stuck in engine crevices). For an accurate reading, check the dipstick in the morning, on a flat surface, with the engine cold and the car stationary.

Close the cap. Check around to ensure that no tools have been left behind in the engine bay.

• Look under the car to make sure there are no oil leaks. It's best to clean up any oil that has spilled while changing, as it may not cause any issues on the engine cover at first, but when the engine heats up, it will smoke and create an unpleasant odor inside the car.

Start the engine. Keep an eye on the oil pressure light and wait for it to turn off once the engine starts. Put the car in ‘P’ or ‘N’ with the parking brake engaged, then carefully check under the car to ensure no oil is leaking. If the oil filter or drain plug is not tightened properly, oil may leak. Let the engine run for about a minute to build oil pressure and confirm everything is properly installed.

• Optional: Reset the oil change light. This process may vary depending on your vehicle’s model and year, so consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions. For example, on most GM cars, you need to turn off the engine, then turn the key to the “on” position (without starting the engine). Press the gas pedal three times within ten seconds. After starting the engine, the oil light will reset to its original state.

Check the oil level with the dipstick. After turning off the engine, let the oil settle for 5 to 10 minutes, then use the dipstick to check if the oil level is where it should be.

Pour the used oil into a sealed container. After changing the oil, transfer the used oil into a container. The safest way is to pour it into the empty oil container you just used. Be sure to use a funnel and pour slowly to avoid spills, then label the container as “used oil” to avoid confusion with new oil.

• Alternatively, you can repurpose old milk cartons, windshield washer fluid containers, or plastic bottles. If you’re using food containers, make sure to label them clearly to avoid mix-ups.
• Don’t dispose of used oil in chemical containers, such as bleach, pesticides, paints, or antifreeze containers. These can contaminate the recycling process.

Make sure the filter is completely drained. You can pour the remaining oil (sometimes over 200ml) into your used oil container. Oil filters are recyclable, so remember to keep them for proper disposal.

Find a local collection point. Typically, any store that sells auto oil filters will have information on where to drop off used ones. Retailers who sell over 1,000 oil filters annually are required by law to accept the used filters. Many auto maintenance stations that perform oil changes also accept used oil, but they may charge a fee for disposal.

Try using recycled oil next time. Used motor oil can be refined to meet the same specifications and be certified as new oil. This refining process is far less energy-intensive than producing new oil from crude, and using recycled oil helps reduce the need for oil imports. In some cases, recycled oil is even cheaper than fresh oil.