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General Maintence: Changing Your Oil

Model Years: Any car

Estimated Time: 0:25

In this edition, you will learn how to change your own oil. Doing your own maintence really helps you learn about your car and how it works. It can also save you a LOT of money. Sure Jiffy lube charges $22, but how do you know they really replaced that filter? I've heard of shops taking off the old filter, dipping it in some varnish and reinstalling it to save a couple bucks. I wouldn't trust a mechanic with my, especially when it comes to oil changes. Too many times do I hear how someone's cars' engine was destroyed because the Jiffy Lube guy forgot to refill it with oil.

Debate about Filters:

There was a recent debate about which oil filters are the best. There are a couple good articles that you should check out located here:
http://ntpog.server101.com/reviews/filters/filters.shtml
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_filter_study/

By reading these, I learned that Fram sucks and the best economical brand (local to me anyway) is Purolator. I took these pictures before I knew that Fram sucked (hence, why i'm using a Fram as a replacment).

Tip:

For longer oil changing intervals, you might want to get a MX3/MX6/Probe/626 (V6 models) Filter instead of your OEM replacement. All proteges use the same size filters, and all proteges can use the larger MX6 filters which will filter for a longer time (and they cost the same!). Here is a picture to compare them:

Tools you will need:

19mm Socket & Breakerbar or 19mm Wrench
Replacement filter
4 qts 10w30 Motor oil (name is your choice)
Oil drainpan
Rubber Glove
Paper Towels
Floor-Jack & Jackstands Or Ramps
Replacement Drainplug gasket

Installation Instructions:
	1: Run vehicle until it is warm then shut it off
	2: Jack car up and lower it securely onto jackstands
	3: Unscrew the top oil cap
	4: Locate the drain plug. Get the 19mm socket and breaker bar and turn it counter-clockwise (moving the handle towards the wheel, as shown in the picture).
	5: Be sure to have the rubber glove on after it is loosened. Place the oil drain-pan underneath the drainplug. Slowly unscrew the drainplug until it comes out
	6: Quickly pull your hand away (caution: oil can be pretty hot). The oil will start draining out at a rapid rate. You might want to move to adjust the position of the drain-pan so that when the oil starts to drain less, it won't drip on the floor
	7: Wipe off the drainplug with a paper towel (some drainplugs are magnetized and attract metal shavings in new cars that are being broken in). Put a new drainplug gasket on the drainplug and screw it back into the oil pan and tighten to about 30-40 ft/lbs.
	8: Locate the oil filter. When you locate it, position the drain pan so it will catch any oil that might drip down the side of the engine block
	9. Slowly unscrew the oil filter
	10: After oil filter is removed, wipe off the oil cooler, and its threads, and the area around it.
	11: Get the new filter, take your finger and dip it into some new oil. take that dab of oil and lubricate the seal on the new oil filter (it makes reinstallation easier).
	12: Screw in the new filter to the oil cooler. When the seal touches, turn it about 3/4 turns more to ensure it is tight enough
	13: Open the 1st qt. of oil and dump it inside the engine from the top. After the first 3 qts. check the dipstick to see if it indicates oil. Keep adding until it reaches the "F" line on the dipstick.
	14: Replace the oil cap, and start the engine for 5 seconds and stop. This Primes the engine oil and gets any air pockets out from the oil filter when it was replaced.
	15: Check the oil level again. If it isn't on the "F" line, fill it until it does.
	16: Before lowering the car, get under it one last time to check for leaks at the drainplug and oil filter. If everything looks ok, lower the car.
	17: Take the drain-pan, and slowly pour the old oil into the empty oil qt. containers until the drain-pan is empty. Cap the qts. of used oil and set them aside. Take a bunch of paper towels and wipe out the oil that remains on the inside of the drain-pan. take those towels, and qts. of used oil to your local oil collection place (mechanics, gas stations, lots of places will take your oil to recycle).