Step-by-Step Instructions and Pictures for How to Do An Oil Change

By Bob Lacivita and David Radtke
This step-by-step guide shows you everything you need to know to do your own oil change at home. Read an overview for how to do an oil change.
From The Family Handyman
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Oil Change-Step 1
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1. Drive your car onto your ramps, or use an inexpensive floor jack along with a set of jack (safety) stands (not shown). Be sure to set your parking brake. Check the directions that come with the drive-on ramps or jack stands for details, then give the car a good shake from side to side to make sure it’s solidly supported. If you use ramps, be sure they won’t slide as you drive onto them. We used a rubber mat under the front of the stand and a 2x12 plank to keep the ramps from sliding forward. Have a helper guide you so you don’t drive off the ramp.
CAUTION
Never work under any car using the factory-supplied jack—it's only for changing a flat tire!
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Jack stands alone are too DANGEROUS for crawling under your vehicle. I've seen them fail when placed on asphalt on a slight slope--they slowly sank towards the front of the vehicle, and everything came crashing down. I strongly recommend buying ramps because it's much more difficult for your car to fall off them.

By Dan H, on 10/02/2009
When draining the oil, don't barehand it: wear a pair of heavy duty latex gloves (keeps your hands cleaner) or Mechanix-type gloves (anti-knuckle busters). Also, look around for other sources of possible leaks (oil pan gasket, other fluid lines, CV joint boots). A local oil change shop may not tell you anything, but I got a leaky tranfer case repaired under warranty because I looked around. Keep your receipts for any possible future warranty/wear claims.

By CitiKnight, on 02/27/2009

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