The first step for the do-it-yourselfer is to go to your local auto parts store and purchase an oil filter, an oil filter wrench, and the required amount of oil needed to fill your car. While shopping, it may be a good idea to pick up a funnel to decrease your chances of spilling oil all over the engine. Next, find a place with level ground to park your car. A garage would be an ideal place, but sometimes this option is not available to everyone. Although not necessary, the car should be placed on ramps to make crawling under the vehicle easier. Always make sure the parking break is on while doing this.

After you have your car situated for working conditio

ns, grab your owners manual and figure out which bolt is the drain plug for the oil pan. Once you have located this bolt, locate the correct size socket wrench and break it loose but do not back it out all of the way. Next you need to put a pan or a bucket directly underneath the drain bolt to give the dirty oil a place fall into. Once the pan is underneath, back the rest of the bolt out with your hand, hanging on tightly to the bolt. Be careful during this procedure because the bolt will be hot if the car was running earlier. Let the oil drain into the pan completely, and then re-tighten the bolt until it is snug.

This is a very simple process and will increase the life of your car. It is recommended that an oil change should be done every 3,000 miles. If this is not done, the oil will break down and become weak and engine parts will begin to fail. It is much easier to spend a couple of dollars here and there, than it is to buy a new motor due to carelessness.

Some topics in this essay:
, oil filter, filter wrench, valve cover, oil filter wrench, simple process, oil filler cap, amount oil, filler cap, tighten filter, clean oil, oil filler,