Reject The Recession, Car Style #2

A week or so back I blogged about changing your oil. Many of you told me that you do not know how to change your oil, SO I grabbed a camera this weekend and I'm going to give you the basics. Women, YOU can do this too. It's easy and you can buy other stuff with the money you save! Reject The Recession! Yay. Here's what you need:

• Oil
• Oil Filter (book at the auto parts store will help you find the one you need)
• Washer
• Ratchet set
• Oil Drain Container (pretty cheap to buy and you can use it for life)
• Oil Filter Wrench

Ok, first... find the drain plug. It's the bolt on the side of the oil pan, under your engine. Your oil pan is simply that... a pan on the bottom of your engine. It's easier to find than you think. Use a socket to take the plug out and let the oil drain into the used oil container. Let's move on to the filter while that drains...
The filter is a cylinder-shaped piece on the side of the engine block. They vary in color. Good ones (Fram) are orange and generic ones are black. When you buy a new one, buy Fram!

To take off the oil filter, use a tool specifically designed tool for an oil filter (see below). It's a few dollars, but you can use it for life, much like the used oil container. Grab the filter with it and turn counter-clockwise. It will leak used oil, so place the used oil container under the filter to catch the oil. It's possible to have the container under the filter and drain plug at the same time.

Once you take the filter off, double-check to make sure the old gasket comes off too. It will be a round rubber-like thing. It usually comes off with the filter, but occasionally sticks to the engine block. If you leave it on, it will leak.

Get the new filter and rub oil on the new gasket. This makes the bond to the engine block better and will not allow it to stick to the engine block when you go to remove it next time.

Take the new filter and hand tighten it to the engine block. Do not over tighten.

Time to put the plug back in. I usually change the washer each time. I buy a 2-pack of washers that are made of rubber and metal every-other-time. I have never had them leak and I strongly recommend them. Put the new washer on the plug and screw it back into the oil pan. Do not over-tighten.

Now that the new filter is in and the plug has been tightened, it's time to put the new oil into the engine. Find the opening at the top of the engine. It should be clearly marked. Grab a funnel and start pouring the oil into the funnel. You can find out how much oil to put in from your manual OR by searching it online.

Let the oil settle in... grab the dipstick... pull it out... wipe it off.... put it back in... take it out and read it! It may show a little more than full at first because the filter does not have the new oil in it yet. Start your car... let it idle... turn it off and repeat the steps to check your oil level. If all is good and you do not see any leaks underneath, you're done! Note: You may have some used oil on your frame, but it will drip-dry.

You can dispose of your old oil for FREE at many auto part stores. I typically take mine the next time I go to buy supplies to change my oil again. Saves gas! LOL

By changing your own oil, you save money. You can then use that money to go out to dinner one night and Reject The Recession!

For those that change your own oil, do you have an other tips to pass along? I'd like to learn some new things!

If you missed Part #1, click here.

Take care,

Ryan