Cars - Oil Change

The oil light came on in Rachel's Pilot this week. So I thought a basic oil change would be an acceptable first post.

First, a disclaimer: working on vehicles is dangerous, do so at your own risk.

As with most projects, it is important to have the right tools. My dad always said "it is a poor workman who blames his tools," but his dad always said "poor people have poor ways."

In addition to the usual oil change tools (ramps, jack stands, drain pan, socket set) and supplies (oil, filter). It helps to have a filter wrench. I like the cap style:

The hardest part is getting under the vehicle safely. Drive on ramps are a good option for front wheel drive cars. Be sure to put jack stands under the car in case the ramps fail. Wheel chocks are a good idea too.

 

Once the car is safely up in the air, drain pan in position, it is a simple matter of locating and removing the drain plug, and removing the oil filter.

The old oil will drip for a long time. The longer the better. I usually get impatient after about 30 minutes.

Put the new filter on, put the drain plug back in, refill with the appropriate amount of new oil and reset the oil change light.