Oil Change 101: What to Remember When Changing Your Oil



When it comes to your car’s engine, oil is an essential ingredient. Keeping track of when and how to change it is just part of owning a car. But just because it’s important doesn’t mean it needs to overwhelm you. With the right tips and tricks, taking care of your oil change can be a breeze (with a little help from Oil Buddy, of course).

Oil changes don’t have to be tedious or time-consuming. By following these simple instructions, you’ll have everything you need to perform a successful oil change in no time.

Before you start any oil change process, make sure you know the type of oil that’s recommended for your vehicle (you can find this in your owner’s manual) as well as whether you need to use a specific oil filter.

Then you should figure out what tools you’ll need. The most important: a wrench, a drain bucket or pan, an oil filter wrench, a new oil filter, a funnel, and of course the new oil. Gather all these together before you begin so you don’t miss any important steps.

Now that you have all your supplies in one spot, it’s time to get your vehicle ready! First, find a level spot to work on (preferably a garage floor or a driveway), and make sure the car is parked in neutral. This will help you make sure you don’t damage anything when it’s time to move the car.

Next, put the car in park and set the parking brake. Put a piece of wood behind one of the back tires to keep it from rolling and make sure you put down a sheet of cardboard or a tarp to catch the oil and any other mess.

Once you’ve prepped your work area, it’s time to get the oil draining. Start by moving underneath the hood and locating the oil dipstick (it usually has an orange or yellow handle and should be situated near the top of the engine).

Then unscrew the drain plug using your wrench and let the oil drain into the pan/bucket below. Generally, this process will take a few minutes. If you can’t find the drain plug, check your owner’s manual. Then, once all the oil is drained, use a rag or brush to remove any dirt or debris from the plug before you put the new oil in.

Before you put in the new oil, you should replace the old oil filter. Unscrew the old one using the oil filter wrench and then clean the area it was in. Then dry the area before you try to put in the new filter.

The next step is to fill up the new filter with new oil and put it in place. Make sure you’ve tightened it enough (not too much, though—over-tightening can damage the filter), and apply the appropriate sealant, if necessary.

The final step of your oil change is to fill up the engine with the new oil. To do this, use the funnel to slowly pour in the specified type of oil. Make sure not to fill it too quickly, as this could affect your engine. Double-check that the oil level is correct. You can do this by taking out the dipstick and cleaning it off before reinserting it. Make sure the oil level is between the two marks on the stick - this indicates that the oil is at the proper level. 

Once the oil is topped off, close the hood and start the engine to ensure that the oil was filled properly and runs smoothly. After starting your engine, let it run for a few minutes to allow the oil to spread evenly throughout the engine. This is an important step, as it helps prevent any issues that could occur due to uneven oil distribution. After this is done, you should be all set! Your oil change is complete and you can bring your car back out on the road.

It is important to ensure proper disposal of used motor oil when you are performing an oil change. Always take the old oil to a designated recycling facility so that it can be reused or safely disposed of, reducing potential harm to the environment. Failing to follow this important rule, can lead to possible damage and contamination of the soil, air, and water. 

Make sure to check with your local hazardous waste management agency for guidelines on where to recycle your used oil and for information on proper disposal techniques. Failure to do so can cause harm to the environment, so following proper disposal guidelines is the best way to keep your conscience (and the planet) clean.

An oil change is an essential part of being a conscientious car owner. Understanding what type of oil your car needs, the right tools to use and the correct order in which the oil change should be performed will go a long way toward keeping your engine running in top shape.

When you find yourself in a time crunch and don’t have time or energy to change your oil on your own, don’t worry. Oil Buddy offers the most efficient oil changes - less than 15 minutes - in Mesa, AZ, and beyond. Call us today at 480-892-4130 to schedule your oil change appointment.