This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OilChange #CollectiveBias
I come from a family of handy people, and that’s something I’m pretty proud of. My father can fix almost anything on a car, my brother can perform all kinds of basic car and house maintenance and my mother and sisters all have a DIY attitude that inspires them to tackle all kinds of different jobs. In many ways I’ve inherited the same handiness, especially when it comes to household repairs. But my car maintenance skills are seriously lacking and this year, I decided it was time to change that.
My boyfriend has a bit more experience with cars than me, but his car repair skills are also pretty minimal, so the two of us made plans to learn one of the most basic and necessary vehicle jobs there is…the oil change. I headed to Walmart to buy the necessary equipment: Quaker State motor oil, a new oil filter, an oil pan and a funnel. Finding the oil I wanted was quick and easy, and having investigated the recommended amount for my car online, I knew a 5L bottle was the perfect amount.
Next, it was time to run through each step of the oil change. As is so often the case today, the Internet was an invaluable resource. Jeremy and I found a video that walked through each step of the oil change, from draining the oil to replacing the filter to filling the car up with oil once more. Then we headed out to get my car winter-ready with our new-found know-how and Quaker State!
Step One – Drain the Oil
Draining the oil was by far the easiest part of the process. I simply used the proper sized socket wrench (16mm in my car’s case) to loosen the drain plug and then let the old oil run out into my pan. Collecting the old oil carefully is essential for protecting the environment, and I was happy I had purchased the pan to ensure that I could do that easily, especially since I can use it again and again in the future. After screwing the drain plug back in, it was time to put on the new oil filter.
Step Two – Replace the Oil Filter
The video we had watched mentioned needing an oil filter wrench, and initially I hadn’t understood what that was or why it was needed. Once I looked under the car, I understood better why it was an essential piece of equipment for my particular car. The screw-on style oil filter that my Ford Taurus uses often gets slick and can be difficult to remove without a tool to grasp it firmly and unscrew it initially. Jeremy made a quick run to Walmart to pick up the wrench and we loosened the old oil filter and removed it carefully. Then I greased up the end of the new filter, screwed it into place by hand and tightened it finally with the oil filter wrench.
Step Three – Fill the Car with New Oil
Our last step was filling the car with new oil. Jeremy added the 5L jug of Quaker State Advanced Durability motor oil to the car and checked the fluid level. It looked good, so I then started the car, let it run for a few minutes to circulate the fresh oil through the system and checked the oil level once more to ensure it was still adequate. I also asked Jeremy to do a quick check underneath the car to make sure that there were no leaks from the drain plug, just in case.
And just like that, our very first oil change was complete! I was thrilled with how easy it had been, and with my car full of Quaker State Advanced Durability, I knew the oil would help keep my car running smoothly for thousands of miles. In a province like Saskatchewan, with its harsh winters, making sure my car is in top shape for the cold months is especially important. Taking care of one of the crucial car maintenance tasks with Jeremy had been so satisfying…and less expensive too! If your car is due for an oil change before winter, consider doing it yourself rather than paying a garage to do it for you. With Quaker State oil and a few other supplies from your local Walmart store, you’ll be able to learn a valuable new skill in no time!
Jeannie says
My dad is a mechanic he has always told us that changing your own oil is one of the easiest and best thing to learn. It’ll keep your car running longer and it saves you so much more money!
Ashley Sanche says
This is great. I think everyone should know how to do this, as well as knowing how to change your own tires! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Maggie C says
I’ve always went to the mechanic to get my oil change. But your instructions makes me want to save the $ and try to do it on my own… =)
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
So what do you do with the old oil that’s been drained? It’s very bad for the environment so where does it go? In Germany, you aren’t even allowed to wash your car on the driveway, road nor anywhere else for that matter, you always have to go to special DIY car wash centres to wash your car these days.
jan says
I had to learn how to do this, and change a tire, before I was allowed to get my license.
Jacky says
Way to go! Knowing how to change your own oil saves big $$, and I don’t know any women who know how to do it!
Julie says
Very informative post, thanks! We should all know how to do this.
Treen Goodwin says
great info , i am def gonna get hubby o show me this so i will know myself thanks for sharing 🙂
Neal says
Great idea for everyone to learn this!
Guppy says
Aren’t you handy! But please don’t wear that gorgeous white jacket next time you crawl under a car lol!
Cheryl says
We’ve always changed our own oil. Cheaper and more reliable.
nicolthepickle says
Good for you!!! I’m impressed. My husband does this for me, but it would probably be a good skill to have.
Cheryl says
My husband is always after me to learn how to do an oil change but I don’t want to get dirty lol
kathy downey says
We should all know how to do this,thsnks for the post…here its hubby job to get that done
Lynda Cook says
I’m lucky my husband is a mechanic, so he does all the work on our cars, but it’s great to know how to do your own, does save money
Amy Lovell says
My dad always told me that changing the oil is way cheaper if you do it youyrself. ITs the only thing I know how to do on a car really!
Cyn says
You make it sound so easy – I think anyone could do this! Great step by step! #client
Dandi D says
My husband always changes the oil, but this is good for me to know.
Rosanne Robinson says
This really does look easy, I’ve never tried to change my own oil, but now I might give it a try!
Kimberley Hamilton says
Wow i literally never thought this would be something that I would be able to attempt without going to a mechanic! I am impressed, I must say!
Janine O'Toole says
It’s certainly a handy skill to have, but the mising part of the blog is where did you dump the oil? Down the drain, in the back alley, or properly at an oil recycling depot/center?
Cherie Varrin says
The hubby and I usually put the team effort in when it comes to car maintenance. I grew up with a backyard mechanic for a parent, so I learned a few things over the years.
Rosanne says
Sounds so easy I might even be able to handle it
LisaM says
I think it’s one of those things that “everyone” should know how to do. But I don’t I’m afraid. Right now it’s a balance – do I want to do this or something else with my time lol
Stephanie LaPlante says
This is something we should be doing very soon.
Anna says
This is always a good skill to have, I will have to give it a go.
Sherry K says
Good explanation, it is a valuable skill to have.
Wanda Bergman says
This actually doesn’t look all that hard. I think I’ll have to try it sometime.