How to change your own oil and filter

Changing your own oil and filter is something you can do as routine maintenance and can save you a few extra dollars. Haven’t ever changed your oil and filter before? We’ll step you through it in this post.

If you know how to change your oil already, and are just curious about how much money you can save by changing it yourself, jump to the end of this ‘How to change your own oil and filter’ post to see the price breakdown.

Let’s Begin

The vehicle we will be using for this example is a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu with a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder engine.

Locate where to fill and check the oil. If you aren’t sure where to look, you might read the ‘How to check and add engine oil‘ post first to give yourself a general idea.

The oil fill cap shows the type of oil recommended.

Locate the oil filter housing.

Loosen the oil filter housing to access the filter insert.

This allows the oil inside the housing to drain into the oil pan.

Pull to remove the filter off of the lid. Push to snap the new filter insert into the lid.

Replace the oil seal and lube with oil before installing.

Install the new filter/lid into the housing.

Secure the lid and tighten.

Use a suitable drain pan to catch the old oil when draining.

When needing to access more space under the vehicle for draining the oil, visit the post entitled ‘How to use a jack and jack stands‘ for extra help.

Locate the oil drain plug. Determine the socket size used to remove the oil drain plug. This particular plug uses a 15mm socket.

Once loose, spin the oil plug out with your fingers.

Use caution when removing the oil plug from a hot engine!! Either use some protective gloves or let the engine cool down for two hours before changing the oil.

Next, you’ll want to check the oil seal on the drain plug.

This seal is part of the plug, most are replaceable. Drain the oil for at least 5 minutes then install drain plug.

Clean the plug area so you can observe for leaks when done. (A good cleaner to use is called ‘Brake Clean‘, it’s high alcohol content will cut through oil.)

Remove the oil fill cap, and use a funnel.

Many times the top of the oil cap will note which oil is recommended, in this case it is 5W-30 so make sure to use only this type of oil.

Use the owner’s manual to find the oil fill capacity.

If you don’t have an owner’s manual to refer to your best alternative is to start by adding 4 quarts and then periodically checking and adding more oil in small increments. Once you’re finished, don’t forget to tighten down the oil fill cap.

Start the engine and let it run for 10-15 seconds, this allows the oil filter to fill up.

Another way to monitor start up is to watch the oil light, when first started the oil light will stay lit until the filter fills up. This is normal, but should go out after 10-15 seconds.

Locate the dip stick to check the oil level. If you aren’t sure what the proper oil level should be, you can always refer back to the same post reference above entitled ‘How to check and add engine oil‘

Make sure not to over fill, keep the level between the min. and max. mark on the dip stick.

Now that you’ve ran the car a little bit, look back underneath the hood and check both the oil drain for leaks;

and the filter housing for leaks.

As a reminder to yourself, use an oil sticker on the inside of your windshield to show when the next oil change is due. (You can ask for oil stickers when purchasing your parts, they’re free)

A good guide line to use for oil change intervals is every 3 months or 3,000 miles.

Recycling
When you’re done with the oil change you will need to dispose of the old oil. Here’s a connection to use for recycling your old oil and being environmentally friendly.

Summarizing the oil / filter change

We hope you found this post helpful and interesting. Every car varies a little bit, but not much, when it comes to changing the oil and the filter. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. If you need specific help on your vehicle, or would like to see us change the oil on a particular make and model, make sure to drop us a line at autoknowblog@gmail.com.

Your cost comparison – Shop vs. Do it yourself

Cost at a repair shop
$29.95 to $49.95

Cost to do it yourself
Cost to do it yourself $15.99 for oil and filter

You Save
$15-$30.00