Check out these tips and learn from past mistakes before you pop the hood to change your engine oil. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but all will make your DIY oil changes a lot smoother.
It’s All in the Prep Work
Reading the car manual before doing any maintenance is a no-brainer, but it’s also helpful to study the car itself the day before you plan to change the oil. Are there any other parts blocking access to your oil filter? And if so, what tools will you need to safely move them out of the way and reinstall them?
Newer cars have the oil filter up towards the top, but older models aren’t always designed with convenience in mind. Accessing those oil filters took a lot of trial and error and ended up taking more time than the actual draining and replacing of the oil itself.
Don’t Jack Up the Car on Soft Metal or Plastic
Most cars have notches or a jacking plate where you can safely contact the car with your jack. If your car has a jacking plate underneath the engine, be sure to use a flashlight to check multiple times that your car jack isn’t contacting anything else under the hood.
The car I’m driving now is my first car with a jacking plate instead of notches. When attempting to jack it up for the first time, I made contact with my windshield wiper fluid reservoir, which of course cracked and leaked wiper fluid everywhere. D’oh!
To prevent the car from rolling away, a brick or piece of wood can be used to brace the rear wheel opposite the jack stands, while the parking brake should also be engaged.
Both steel and aluminum jacks are appropriate for use. Despite the common perception that aluminum is less strong and safe than steel, aluminum jack stands perform well. If budget is a concern, steel jacks are less expensive. In summary, either material is suitable.
Applying oil to the filter seal is a critical step as it helps to keep the seal in place when the engine starts. It can be done by applying a small amount of oil to the fingertip and spreading it evenly over the seal. Skipping this step could lead to oil leaks, prompting a stern lecture from an experienced mentor or mechanic.
Use a lightweight metal drip pan to protect the garage or driveway floor while working on the vehicle. This also makes it easier to move the oil collection container without having to crawl underneath the car.
An oil collection container that is easy to transport should be used to avoid spills and mess. Pouring used oil from a collection pan into a wobbly funnel can be a messy affair.
Do not throw away used oil filters in the trash. Rather, drain the oil from the used filter by puncturing the top dome with a screwdriver and allowing the oil to drain into the collection container. Used oil filters can now be recycled.
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