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Change Your Oil
1) Use jack stands or ramps to get the front of your car in the air. Remember to engage the parking brake and use wheel blocks so the car will not roll backward.
2) Once the front of the car is up, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. This will make the oil filter much easier to reach.
3) Put a catch basin underneath the rear of the oil pan to catch the oil once you unscrew the drain plug.
4) Grab the oil fill neck on the front valve cover and turn it counter-clockwise to pull it off.
5) Using a 15mm socket gently back the drain plug out of the back of the oil pan. Once it is loose, start turning it by hand. Keep pressure on the plug while you back it out so the oil doesn't start coming out. Once you think you have it all the way back out quickly pull your hand and the screw out of the way so you don't get wet. Wearing latex glove will keep your hands clean as you probably will get oil on your hands.
6) It might take a few minutes for the oil to drain. Once the oil stream has turned into a drip, clean the oil plug with a paper towel and screw in back into the oil pan. Also wipe around the drain hole of the oil pan to remove excess oil.
7) Since the oil filter is right above the engine cradle and a-arm, unscrewing it can turn into a bit of a mess. I like to take a milk carton and cut it in half and place it under the filter.
8) Using a filter wrench start to unscrew the filter. Oil will start coming out as you are unscrewing. Keep going until the old filter falls into the carton.
9) As oil finishes to drip, you can fill your new filter with some fresh oil. This will help the oil system 'recharge' after your done.
10) Remove the carton with the oil filter and oil and screw in the new filter by hand. You only want to make it hand tight (do not use the filter wrench). Wipe under the filter incase any oil dripped.
11) Put a funnel into the front valve cover opening and pour in your favorite oil.
12) Now is a good time to check for leaks. If everything is good, replace the filter neck/cap, pull the oil catch basin from underneath the car and center the steering wheel before lowering the car back down. Check the oil dip stick to make sure you've added enough oil. Start the car and check the dipstick and for leaks one more time.
13) Using the funnel, you can fill the empty new oil containers with your old oil. I like to put my filter into a ziplock bag to protect it from leaking.
14) You can bring your used oil to most auto part stores which can dispose of your used oil appropriately.


Have a question or spot at error? E-mail the author, 'Zeus.'


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