Make sure your vehicle’s engine is off before performing this procedure. If the engine is hot, wait at least 30 minutes to start the procedure. If the engine is cold, let your car warm it up for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off before beginning.
The drain plug is sometimes located near the crankshaft, which is the shaft connected directly to the underside of the engine block that supplies power to the moving parts of the vehicle. It is housed inside a casing that is attached to the underside of the engine block.
Be ready to move your hand away quickly as soon as you remove the plug so you don’t get covered in oil. If your oil drain plug has a gasket, then replace it with a new one before you put the plug back in. This will ensure a tight fit and seal.
The location of the oil filter depends on the model of vehicle. Check your vehicle’s manual if you aren’t sure where the oil filter is located.
The amount of oil that will drain out when you remove the filter can range from a few drops to 1 liter (1/4 gallon).
It’s a good idea to put on some work gloves before you take off the oil filter to keep your hands oil-free. Make sure you screw off the filter in a position where the leaking oil won’t spill straight down your arm. Since oil filters should only be tightened on by hand, many can be removed completely by hand. However, it’s possible for them to get stuck on if they were tightened too much or there isn’t enough lubrication.
A filter wrench is a ratchet-type wrench designed specifically to fit tightly around oil filters. You can get filter wrenches for your specific model of vehicle online or at an auto parts dealer. Place the wrench around the oil filter, then ratchet it to tighten it and twist it counterclockwise to loosen the filter.
You will have to recycle the oil at a service station, mechanic shop, or recycling center.
Check the engine block before attaching the new filter to make sure that the gasket from the old filter didn’t stick to it when you removed it. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the recommended grade and amount of oil for your vehicle.
Only apply gentle pressure when you start screwing on the new filter. If you apply too much pressure, you can end up cross-threading the filter and causing damage to the threads that can be expensive to fix. Wearing work gloves will give you some added grip to screw on the new filter.
If you notice the oil filter still leaking after you tighten it, then give it 1/4 of a turn more until it is leak-free.
Make sure to use the oil recommended in your owner’s manual. Most standard engines will not receive added benefits from putting in more expensive premium oils, whereas high-performance engines will not react well to lower-grade oils.
