The Ultimate DIY: Geared for Ladies – Car Maintenance Round 1: Oil Change

                Ladies, when the engine starts making a funny whining noise, or the check engine light comes on, we often are all too eager to hand the keys over to our mechanic.  But why not take matters into our own hands?  Car repair and maintenance may seem daunting, but it often is simple and much cheaper to do yourself.  And what woman doesn’t love a good DIY project every now and then? 

                One of the most common and frequent forms of maintenance your car will need is an oil change.  Most car manufactures recommended the oil be changed every 3000 to 5000 miles you drive.  While taking the car to a shop for this can cost you roughly $50, doing it yourself can save you loads in the long run, and it’s a simple process that doesn’t have to be intimidating.

 

Understanding the Concept

                First, let’s go over what oil is and what it does in relation to the car.  Oil is the amber-colored fluid that lubricates portions of the engine.  It helps the car run smoothly by reducing friction and keeping the crankshaft from grinding on other parts.  It is used in a cycle, and collects dirt into an oil filter.  In order to keep the engine clean, oil needs to be changed every three to six months (or 3000-5000 miles). 

                If you don’t change your oil, the dirt will collect, creating nasty sludge in all the places that should be lubricated.  If enough of this builds up, it will eventually lead to your motor seizing.  Changing your oil is crucial to your car’s health, so here’s how you can grab a wrench and get started. 

What You’ll Need to Know

                Every car has different needs. Before you begin, you will need to find out the viscosity (thickness) of the oil, number of quarts, and oil filter type your vehicle requires.  This can be found in the owner’s manual.  You’ll also need to be careful to pay attention to whether your car uses conventional or synthetic oil.

 

Tools for the Job

• Car jack with stand

• Latex gloves (optional)

• Paper Towels or a Rag

• Oil Drain pan

• Oil Filter wrench (potentially to remove the previous filter)

• New Oil Filter

• Socket Wrench (proper size depending on your vehicle, see owner’s manual)

• Oil

• Funnel

 

STEPS

1. Start the car and let it run for a couple of minutes. Oil tends to drain easier if it is slightly warm.

2. Turn off the ignition. Lift the hood and remove the oil cap (located on the top right corner of most engines and says “oil” on it).  This is where the new oil will be poured. 

3. Check the oil by removing the dipstick (located the side the engine near the oil cap).  Wipe the dipstick clean with paper towel, then reinsert it.  Remove it again and look to see where on the stick the oil ends.  If it does not reach the marking (usually a small hole) on the dipstick, you are low on oil and may have another engine problem that needs to be checked. Set the dipstick aside.

4. Raise the car with the jack, and set it up on stands (appropriate height can be found in the owner’s manual).

5. Now it’s time to get down and dirty.  Slide the oil drain pan underneath the car.  Then you too slide under the car. Locate the drain plug on your car.  Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug to catch the outflow of oil.  Using the socket wrench, slowly remove the drain plug. Oil should begin to flow out of the car and be caught by the drain pan.

6. Locate the oil filter on the underside of the engine (owner’s manual may help). If your car has a screw-on oil filter, carefully remove it using either your hand or the oil filter wrench.  It may have excess oil in it.  Place the filter upside-down on the drain pan to let it drain as well.

7. Using paper towel or a rag, clean the filter housing and the area around the drain plug once the oil has finished draining.  Pour a small amount of new oil into the new filter, and screw the filter in place with your hand. Unless the owner’s manual suggests otherwise, hand-tightening it will suffice.

8. Clean and replace the drain plug, screwing it on snugly with the socket wrench.

9. Now you can add the new oil. On top of the engine, take the funnel and insert it into the oil fill. Pour in the correct amount of new oil (typically around 4 quarts). Check the oil level with the dipstick to ensure the proper amount is replaced.

10. Start the engine, and allow it to run for a few minutes. Check from both above and below for leaks.  Turn off the engine again and check the dipstick for fluid level.

11. Remove the jack stands and lower the car! You’re done!  Dispose of the used oil according to legal community requirements. (You can usually take it to a garage and pay a small fee for them to dispose of it for you).

 

                Ladies, don’t be intimidated by your car.  Minor maintenance tasks like these are simple and easy for you to do on your own!  Save time, save money, and impress your friends by learning to take care of your car yourself.   If you ever have issues, try consulting the owner’s manual or a professional, but don’t be afraid to take the wheel!  Keep calm and drive on.