Safety Glasses
Gloves
Motor Oil
Oil Filter
Jack
Jack Stands
Wheel Chocks
Socket Tools
Oil Filter Wrench
Drain Pan
Shop Towels
Funnel
Breaker Bar
As always—before any job—take a look at your service manual, including the proper amount and weight of oil for your vehicle. If you don’t feel completely comfortable doing this yourself, we can refer you to a professional technician.
Step 1: Select your workspace, set brake and chock wheels
Find a flat, stable surface where you can work, like a driveway or garage. Make sure your vehicle has had at least 15-20 minutes to cool down. Your engine will retain heat long after shutting off the car, so it's important to wait until it's completely cool to start the job.
Set the parking brake and chock your rear wheels.
Set the parking brake and chock your rear wheels.
Step 2: Raise the front of your vehicle
Use a jack and jack stands (or ramps) to raise the front of the vehicle. Jacking up the front of your vehicle and placing it on jack stands will allow you to reach the oil drain plug easily, but if you have a vehicle with plenty of ground clearance, it may not be necessary.
Step 3: Locate and remove oil fill cap
Open the hood and locate the oil fill cap. Remove the cap and set it aside.
Step 4: Remove oil drain plug
Under the car, locate the oil drain plug. Set a drain pan beneath the plug. Use a drain pan designed to hold twice the capacity of oil in the engine's crankcase. Once your drain pan is in place, remove the plug and set it someplace safe. It's a good idea to replace your drain plug gasket. Visually inspect the drain plug to make sure it's in good shape. If it's not, replace that as well.
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Do It Right: The oil drain plug will likely be tough to remove. Using a breaker bar will give you added torque and will help get stubborn drain plugs off. |
Step 5: Clean and replace drain plug
Once the draining oil has slowed to a drip, clean and replace the drain plug. If your plug includes a crush washer, replace it with a new one.Tighten the plug to manufacturer’s specifications.
Spin-on oil filter pictured above.
Step 6: Loosen and remove old filter
Locate the oil filter and slide your drain pan underneath it. Most conventional spin-on filters are easily accessed from under the vehicle, but some use a remote mount and are accessed in the engine compartment. Remove the spin-on filter as a unit by hand, or using a filter wrench if needed. Make sure the old seal came off with the old filter. If it didn't, you'll need to remove it before installing the new filter.
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Do It Right: Let the oil filter drain for 24 hours before taking it to be recycled. |
Cartridge-type oil filter pictured above.
With a cartridge-type filter, you’ll remove the cover and take out the filter itself.
Step 7: Wipe down filter mounting area
Use a clean shop towel or lint-free cloth to wipe down the filter mounting area. It’s possible that there’s some debris or part of the seal from the previous filter.
Spin-on oil filter pictured above.
Step 8: Lubricate the filter
For a spin-on canister filter: Lubricate the seal before putting it on.
Turn the filter until the filter base makes snug contact with the mounting plate. Then tighten another 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
Cartridge-type oil filter pictured above.
For a cartridge-type filter: Lubricate the o-ring and install it around the filter cap. Insert the new filter and tighten the cover to the manufacturer's specifications
Step 9: Remove drain pan
Once your drain plug and filter are tightened properly, remove the drain pan from underneath your vehicle.
Step 10: Lower your vehicle
Remove your jack stands and lower your vehicle.
Step 11: Refill oil
Using your funnel, refill your oil to the proper level.
Step 12: Check dipstick, replace cap, and close hood
After you’ve refilled your oil, wait about five minutes, then check your dipstick to make sure you’ve added enough.
Once you’re sure the oil level is where it needs to be, replace the cap and close the hood.
Once you’re sure the oil level is where it needs to be, replace the cap and close the hood.
Step 13: Start your vehicle and check oil level
Start up your vehicle and check for any leakage underneath.
Turn off your vehicle and check the oil level one more time now that the new oil has cycled through the engine. Some filters can hold as much as half a quart of oil, and it might need to be topped off.
Turn off your vehicle and check the oil level one more time now that the new oil has cycled through the engine. Some filters can hold as much as half a quart of oil, and it might need to be topped off.
Step 14: Recycle used oil
Check your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store to see if they can recycle your used oil and oil filter for you.
Step 15: Reset oil change indicator
Your vehicle may have an oil reset indicator that will require a reset. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle to be sure, and then take note of your vehicle's mileage so you'll know when to change your oil and filter again.
To avoid engine overheating or damage, it is vital to regularly change a vehicle’s motor oil and oil filter. Oil changes help to prevent engine wear and tear, and flush out harmful contaminants and debris.
Your vehicle requires a lot of different filters to work properly. From oil and air filters, to fuel and transmission filters, filters are a vital part of many of your vehicle’s systems. All filters separate and isolate contaminants, dirt, and debris before it enters the engine or passenger cabin.