To some folks, saving $30 by changing your own oil isn’t worth it. I grew up poor, and an extra $30 in the family budget meant we could afford the finer things in life like VHS rentals and supermarket ice cream.
Though I’m in my thirties now and can afford to have someone else do an oil change for me, I still like to save money and get the bragging rights that come with being a self-reliant, grab life by the horns kinda guy. I do it for the thrills.
To some folks, saving $30 by changing your own oil isn’t worth it. I grew up poor, and an extra $30 in the family budget meant we could afford the finer things in life like VHS rentals and supermarket ice cream.
Though I’m in my thirties now and can afford to have someone else do an oil change for me, I still like to save money and get the bragging rights that come with being a self-reliant, grab life by the horns kinda guy. I do it for the thrills.
In all seriousness, changing your own oil is really easy and quick if you have the right equipment and space for the, plus the savings are pretty great too.
Here’s an example. My 2014 Subaru Outback’s four liter engine used 0W-30 full synthetic oil. It costs me about $85 for an oil change at a service shop. If I head down to the local auto parts store, I can score five gallons of oil for about $28 and an oil filter for $10. I end up saving $47.
What You’ll Need
To get started, you’ll need the following:
-Oil (Price Varies)
-Oil Filter (Price Varies)
–A basic wrench set ($14.99)
–An oil drip pain ($13.99)
-Oil Filter Wrench (10.99
-Oil Funnel ($3.99)
-Shop Towels ($2.79)
–Jack Stands ($54.99)
Note: The clearance on my Subaru is pretty high so I don’t need to elevate my car using jack stands or ramps. Also, if you need to buy the gear, you can reuse it several times so it’s not a bad initial investment.
Step 1: Check Oil & Condition
This may seem obvious, but checking your oil regularly and especially prior to an oil change can help you diagnose any major issues like leaks. If your oil level is extremely low, check for spotting under your parked car and have a mechanic take a look.
Remember oil lubricates, cleans, and cleans essential components in your engine so having low or dirty fluid can be a stepping stone to an extremely expensive repair bill or new car loan. Check that oil regularly.
Step 2: Heat Up The Oil
Like Maverick Automotive Technician Kyle Mattson says in the video above, engine oil is like maple syrup: it flows slowly when cold and quickly when warm. The idea is to allow your vehicle to run up to five minutes to allow the engine oil to warm up and be able to flow into the oil drip pan.
But be careful not to try to change the oil if your car has been running for a long time. The oil coming out of the engine can be hot and burn your hands and forearms. I guess oil is also like porridge, you want to get it just right.
Step 3: Elevate Your Vehicle
Like I said earlier, I don’t have to raise my Subaru because it has a higher clearance. If you drive a sedan or a model with low clearance, you’re going to need access to the oil plug and filter. You can drive your car up on ramps, but you must be extremely careful to block your tires and use the emergency brake.
The same rules apply to using jack stands. Safety is paramount. The absolute last thing you want is to be crushed to death by a Honda Civic.
Step 4: Position Oil Drip Pan and Remove Oil Plug
Oil spills are a pain to clean up and are quite toxic to the environment, so do your absolute best to get all of your spent oil into the oil drip pan. Make sure you have one large enough. Also, do not forget to open the main and vent plugs so the oil flows smoothly into the container.
When removing the oil plug, loosen it with a wrench until it can be fully removed by hand. Try to catch the plug once it’s released since it can go rolling away or end up blocking the oil flow into the drip pan.
Step 5: Remove Old Oil Filter, Install New
Once the last amounts of oil have dripped from the engine into the collection pan, twist off the oil filter with a hand or oil filter wrench. If the last mechanic to work on your car did their job right, you should be able to loosen and twist off the filter by hand.
Make sure the oil pan is underneath the filter site to catch oil drippings. Before installing a new filter, rub a dab of clean oil on the circular rubber portion of the new filter to help it seal properly. The new filter should be tightened by hand.
Step 6: Replace the Oil Plug
Using your hand, screw the oil plug back in, then snug it up with a few twists of a wrench. Don’t go overboard on the tightening, especially if you’ll be removing it again later. This can help reduce the amount of obscenities you’ll shout in anger.
Step 6: Add the New Oil
After you’ve determined the amount of oil needed for your engine, use a funnel and slowly add the fresh, clean oil to your engine. I like to think my engine feels the same way I do after getting a much needed shower.
Step 7: Check Oil Level, Run Engine, Then Check Again
As stated earlier, oil viscosity changes with heat. Oil dipstick will have two small holes or indicators that show how much oil is in the engine, so check your level, then run your vehicle for a few minutes and check again to make sure you got a good reading.
Step 8: Glory Over Your Deeds
Congratulations! You just changed your own oil. You’re on a higher level than everyone around you. Soon you’ll scoff and turn your nose up at people in line at the service shop. The time in your life when you sat in the service lobby making awkward conversations with strangers is a thing of the past.
On behalf of everyone here at Maverick. We salute you!