can anyone teach me how to change the oil on the car myself?

[kingfencer]

what equipment do i need? or is it better to let a mechanic do it?

[Kakarot]

what equipment do i need? or is it better to let a mechanic do it?


Well, some warranties WONT allow you to... so is it warrantied?

Either way its simple.... you need a ratchet and socket for the oil plug and maybe something to remove your oil filter (you can buy large plastic ones that fit on your ratchet).

With the oil still warm, you pull the plug and drain it into a oilpan, then you remove the oil filter. Once you put on the new one, put a small bit of oil on the filters O-ring and screw it in (you can fill the filter with oil if you wish). Then add however much oil you car requires.....

[Pete_Coach]

You need generally a 14mm wrench for removing the drain plug, a container to capture the waste oil, a place to take the waste oil and a filter wrench to remove the filter. Make sure you replace the drain plug and torque it to whatever spec the OEM recommends (use a gasket or "o" ring if required). Make sure you are taking the plug out of the engine and not the transmission (some cars have these plugs close together an although one should be a hex head and the other an allen head, sometimes they are not)
Install the filter by applying a bit of clean engine oil on the sealing gasket of the filter (so you don't damage it screwing it on), install the filter by hand and then use the wrench to turn it 1/4 of a turn.Wipe everything clean and dry.
Add oil (normally 4 litres), start engine and make sure the oil light goes out. Shut the car off and check underneath for any leaks. Then take your old oil to a disposal site.
OR
Find a place that does it for 24.99 and read the paper while it is done!

PS, I do not know of any warranty that would be voided by you doing an oil change.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Change your oil (http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/car-care/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-parts-oil-and-filter-change-222215.php)

[plymouthhater]

You need generally a 14mm wrench for removing the drain plug, a container to capture the waste oil, a place to take the waste oil and a filter wrench to remove the filter. Make sure you replace the drain plug and torque it to whatever spec the OEM recommends (use a gasket or "o" ring if required). Make sure you are taking the plug out of the engine and not the transmission (some cars have these plugs close together an although one should be a hex head and the other an allen head, sometimes they are not)
Install the filter by applying a bit of clean engine oil on the sealing gasket of the filter (so you don't damage it screwing it on), install the filter by hand and then use the wrench to turn it 1/4 of a turn.Wipe everything clean and dry.
Add oil (normally 4 litres), start engine and make sure the oil light goes out. Shut the car off and check underneath for any leaks. Then take your old oil to a disposal site.
OR
Find a place that does it for 24.99 and read the paper while it is done!

PS, I do not know of any warranty that would be voided by you doing an oil change.

One important step was omitted :arrowu:

Check oil level on dipstick, add more oil if necessary but DO NOT OVERFILL.

[new_vr]

One important step was omitted :arrowu:

Check oil level on dipstick, add more oil if necessary but DO NOT OVERFILL.
That is important. Overfilling will ruin your catalytic converter, and that will cost you. Although I wouldn't count on one of those oil places not to overfill it.

[Narci]

It's a little different of a process if you own a BMW or MB..and some VW's.

Filter is on the topside of the car and it's a cartridge and not a can.

What car does the OP have?

[Kakarot]

That is important. Overfilling will ruin your catalytic converter, and that will cost you. Although I wouldn't count on one of those oil places not to overfill it.

long term, if your blowing blue smoke.... open the plug and let some out ;)

[kingfencer]

i have a honda civic, i'm new to cars, i can easilly fix a computer. but what you guys are saying sounds complicated... how much would all that equipment cost? or how much does it cost to get your oil change done? do you have to supply the oil, or they do?

[Anessa]

You'll need proper disposal facilities for the oil if you DIY. Don't pour it down the sewer please!

[pfbmgd]

Well, some warranties WONT allow you to... so is it warrantied?




Most companies will warranty their cars .Just make sure you keep receipts for the oil filter and oil .Keep track of when you do your oil changes .

[TurboVolvo]

You'll need proper disposal facilities for the oil if you DIY. Don't pour it down the sewer please!

IIRC Canadian Tire will take the used oil at no charge.

I also often pour fresh oil into the new filter before installing it. Don't know if it helps, but it can't hurt.

To the OP. Go to PartSource or whatever automotive place is near you.
If you buy Synthetic (like Mobil 1) it will cost you $40-50 with a new filter and new drain plug, depending on how much oil your car requires. Much cheaper if you go with a standard oil (but don't be too cheap, your car's life depends on this stuff)
Since this is your first time, you will need a plastic drain pan, oil filter removal tool and at least the right size wrench for your drain plug. Of course you will need to raise and support the car as well. Your factory jack will do fine, but please buy and use jack stands to secure the car while you're underneath it.

The rest is easy and you will feel great knowing you did it!

[sergiepopov]

it's not cost efficient

[new_vr]

it's not cost efficient
I don't like letting some 16 year old kid cross thread the drain plug. But that's just me. I also enjoy it

[bob0]

i have a honda civic, i'm new to cars, i can easilly fix a computer. but what you guys are saying sounds complicated... how much would all that equipment cost? or how much does it cost to get your oil change done? do you have to supply the oil, or they do?

it's not complicated. just read over the instructions...and then identify the areas on the car you need to work on. that's probably the hardest step.

the rest, if you can use a wrench, you're set.

for the first time i'd lay some newspaper down cuz it will be a little messy. but after a couple times, you'll be able to change oil in 10mins no mess.


as for equipment (assuming you have absolutely nothing):
wrench - $5-10
oil filter wrench - $5-10 (not necessary, but good to have)
funnel - $1-2 (good to have unless you're a good pourer)
oil pan - $5-10 (you can really use anything to catch the oil so you dont really need this)

that's about it. i usually just drive my car up some woodenblocks to get enough space to crawl under the car.


as for oil...i suppose if you are using synthetic, it will probably not be too cost effective unless you can find some cheap oil. but at least you'll know it has been done right.

but if you're on regular oil. you'll save a ton instead of bringing it to mr. lube or wherever. think with regular it'll end up being $10-15 for oil and filter, compared to the $30+ mr. lube charges


other than that, dispose of the oil properly. look for recycling plants around your area, they'll take the oil. and also any place that changes oil, they should take it for free. give these guys your old filter too


that should be about it. this is a great place to start tinkering with your car

[fast_typeR]

to answer your second question
no it won't void your warranty. There's no obligation for you to go back to the dealership for oil changes. Make sure you keep the receipts of oil, filter and gasket purchases to proof you are doing oil yourself.

depending on which honda civic you drive (7th gen or 8th gen), i would go their respective forums on the web (i.e. http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/index.php for 7th gen civics) there are many DIYs people post that are specific to your car.

Otherwise, I'm lazy myself and I just take it to a places like Active Green and Ross and supply my own material. Labour ranges from 10-20 per them to provide the labour.

[Pete_Coach]

oil filter wrench - $5-10 (not necessary, but good to have)
funnel - $1-2 (good to have unless you're a good pourer)
oil pan - $5-10 (you can really use anything to catch the oil so you dont really need this)

but if you're on regular oil. you'll save a ton instead of bringing it to mr. lube or wherever. think with regular it'll end up being $10-15 for oil and filter, compared to the $30+ mr. lube charges

other than that, dispose of the oil properly. look for recycling plants around your area, they'll take the oil. and also any place that changes oil, they should take it for free. give these guys your old filter too

I would suggest that the oil filter wrench is essential. Unless you intend to poke a hole through the filter (with a big screwdriver)to remove it, it ain't coming off without it.
Draining the oil into any old receptical pan will make it difficult to transport to the disposal site.
As for the type of oil, use what the manual recommends.
Mr Lube is not the only place in town for this. A local GM dealer in my town has an ongoing "special" for $24.99, for regular oil which is about the same as your cost, without you doing the work or spilling the oil on the way to CT.

[Focus]

Make sure you use a jack stand, don't want to see you in the news.

BTW, start up cost should be around $100, socket set, oil pan, jack and jack stand.

FYI sometime time taking the filter off is a huge PITA.

[funky_monkey_99]

i have a honda civic, i'm new to cars, i can easilly fix a computer. but what you guys are saying sounds complicated... how much would all that equipment cost? or how much does it cost to get your oil change done? do you have to supply the oil, or they do?

the startup cost to doing it yourself may become a bit expensive but once you have all the essentials (jack, stand[or a ramp even], drain pan [for oil to be dumped in], oil filter wrench, socket and wrench [or whatever you want to use such as adjustable wrench will remove the drain plug]...etx) you should be good. It's just the oil and filter you have to buy or stock up on. Then once you go for the second and third and so on, it will be cheaper than bringing it in for a change. One disadvantage of doing your own oil changes is that it could get real messy for a first timer. So like others have said newspaper on the ground if you don't wanna mess up your driveway or garage. Also wear old clothing you don't care too much about. Go for long sleeve as well while your at it.

ps. I believe the civic if your a 2001-2005 ne ways uses a 17mm socket.

[fast_typeR]

two additional things you should be aware of OP,

changing oil usually requires you to run your car a bit until the oil is hot, so it can flow easily out when you remove the oil plug. second is that once the oil is hot inside the engine it can be dangerous if it touches exposed skin.