I would like to perform a simple driveway oil change. I have a 2003 Chrysler 300m. I am 16yr. old and plenty of friends to help if needed. I am wondering how difficult it is to do?How difficult is it to change my own oil?Required items:
Oil drain pan
New oil filter (Verify that the filter is specifically for your model vehicle, engine)
5 qts oil (check the owners manual for the type of oil)
Jack and jack stands
Wheel chocks
Open end wench or crescent wrench
Oil Filter wrench
Funnel, if you are sloppy pouring oil, or if you are dealing with the 5qt bottles of oil.
Rags or paper towels
Tips:
Do Not Block your only other means of transportation while you do this job. You could need a ride if things go wrong.
Remember: Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey.
Your local car parts store may provide a place to rid yourself of the old oil.
Procedure:
Locate the oil filter. (Depending on it's location, you may be able to remove it from the top rather than from underneath the vehicle)
Chock the rear wheels
Raise the vehicle using a jack, only enough to place the jack stand and access the oil drain plug, and filter.
Place the oil drain pan under the vehicle.
Remove the oil drain plug, ensure that the drain pan is placed to catch the oil.
Remove the oil filter, ensure that the drain pan is placed to catch the oil. You will need the filter wrench for this
Install the new filter. Verify that the new filter is correct. My way is to take the old oil filter and the new one and touch the rubber gaskets of the two together. This accomplishes two things: 1) verifies that the gasket is correct 2) applies a small amount of oil onto the new filter gasket.
Tighten the filter hand tight. My preference is to use the filter wrench and give it an extra quarter turn.
Reinstall the oil drain plug. wipe off any dripping oil.
Refill with oil:
Remove the oil filler cap, put in 3 qts of oil. While the oil is going in keep an eye under the car for signs of a leak
Check the oil level. Remove the dip stick, wipe it clean, reinsert and remove it again, it should show a qt or more low, if so, add another qt and check the level again. The level should be less than a qt low.
Replace the dipstick and oil filler cap. Again check for leaks.
Start the engine, the oil light will stay on for generally 10 - 30 sec. IF THE OIL LIGHT IS STILL ON, TURN THE ENGINE OFF. Check under the car for signs of a leak. Allow the engine to run for about one minute, if all is going as planned. Turn the engine off, check the oil level. It should be approx 1 qt low. If so add the 5th qt of oil.
Good LuckHow difficult is it to change my own oil?depends on how high your car is other then that if you know what to do it is easyHow difficult is it to change my own oil?Not that hard. Make sure you replace the washer for the drain plug, and make sure the new filter has a coating of clean oil on the gasket. Also, make sure the new filter is hand tightened down, do not use the filter wrench to tighten it.How difficult is it to change my own oil?it is just about the most basic car maintenance procedure there is.
Just search the internet or find a tutorial or 2 on the supplies and procedures you need to do.
Be sure you have everything you need before starting, otherwise you will make things a lot harder then it needs to be.How difficult is it to change my own oil?It's simple enough. You just have to make sure you know where to take the old oil. You don't dump it in the gutter or down the drain.How difficult is it to change my own oil?jack or put it on ramps don't forget to put stand under it when using hydraulic jack. locate oil pan pull the plug. when it starts drizzling out run the engine for ten seconds and immediately shut it off. however this is my procedure for an old Chevy truck and running low oil may damage your more precision engine. take your wrench to the filter if this fails shove a screwdriver through the oil filter and use it as leverage. when putting on your new filter rub some old oil on the new filters seal. tighten this as tight as you can by hand. then return the plug to the pan and add your oil through the filler tube not the dipstick.
good luckHow difficult is it to change my own oil?It is really quite easy. You will need to buy a few things first. A set of Ramps (versus using a jack which can fall and drop the car on you) which you can get at Wal-Mart, Pep Boys or almost any Auto Parts Store. Or you can buy Jack Stands also although the ramps are faster and take less time. A filter removal tool, also available in the same places, and a socket that is the exact size of the drain plug in your oil pan. Adjustable wrenches end up rounding the corners on the plug and making it useless. An Oil Drain Pan. A new oil filter and 5 quarts of oil which meets your owners manual recommendations. Also a mechanics creeper to roll under the car on.
You want the engine warmed up so the oil flows more freely, plus it will drain better but be careful you do not burn yourself on the oil.
Drive up on the ramps without running off the front of them. Set your parking brake and also put a block of wood or rubber wheel chalk behind one of the rear tires. Take your drain pan with you, and roll under the car. Put the drain pan under the oil pan plug, loosen it and take it out being careful not to drop it into the oil and to try to keep from letting the oil run down your arm and burn you. The plug should have either a nylon or fabric washer (do not loose it), although some just have a wide shoulder and seal metal to metal. After it stops dripping, replace the plug and tighten it snugly. Then slide your pan under the oil filter, you may want to dump the oil into another container first so the pan is empty again. Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter and unscrew it. It will be hot because it is full of oil. Use a rag or something to keep from burning yourself again. Unscrew it and turn it upside down in the pan so it can drain. With a rag wipe off the ring around where the filter screws on. Take some clean oil on your finger and rub it around the rubber gasket on the new filter. Now thread the new filter on and tighten as tight as you can with your hands. Now take the filter wrench and put it on as close to the top edge as you can and turn it about 1/2 turn more. Tighten is clockwise and loosen is counterclockwise as you are looking up at it.
righty tighty, lefty loosey.
Now that you have the plug in and your new filter on, get out from under the car and pour 4 quarts of new oil into your engine. (Normally takes 5 quarts with filter) Start it up and let it idle and go back under the car with it running to check for any oil leaks. If no leaks, get out, back the car off of the ramps. Removing the wheel block first. When it is on flat ground, shut it off wait a few minutes then check the dipstick. It should be on the low mark with is one (1) quart. Add the 5th quart of oil and you are finished. Write your mileage and the date down so you remember when you did it. You may also want to buy a Grease gun, and some grease cartridges so that you can also lube your car. If you are doing your own oil changes and not having it done at an oil change facility you car will not get greased unless you grease it. You should grease it everytime you change the oil. You can find do-it-yourself manuals to cover your car at auto parts stores, and they will show you where the grease fittings are. It is a sizeable investment when you first buy everything you need, but by the 3rd or 4th oil change, it will have all been paid for.How difficult is it to change my own oil?It's not too difficult if you are not scared to get under the car. Just lift the car up on jack and secure with jack stands or spare wheels.
Make sure you have the proper size spanner or ratchet/socket to open the drain plug. The drain plug is in oil sump pan, which is usually black in color. You might also consider buying a filter opener, and make sure you match the new filter with the old one to make sure you got the right one. And clean the surface before putting the new filter and smear fresh oil on gasket of new filter before fitting in. Do not over tighten the filter; hand tighten it and then quarter to half a turn with filter gripping tool would do.
Get the car back on ground and fill the oil, start the engine, run for five minutes check for leakages and let the engine cool for 3 minutes, check the level and top up if required. Do not overfill.
Best time to drain the oil is when engine is moderately warm. Use gloves and safety glasses, ask a friend to watch but do not touch the car while you are under the car.How difficult is it to change my own oil?Step 1:buy oil and a filter (as well as an oil drain pan if you don't own one) (ask the salesperson to find out how many quarts you need if you're not sure, I also recommend substituting a quart with Lucas Oil Stabilizer)
Step 2: Locate and open the oil cap on your engine
Step 3: jack your vehicle up
Step 4: Locate the oil drain plug at the back of the oil pan (underneath the engine), position the oil drain pan below it and slightly back (the oil will have some pressure behind it at first from the weight of the rest of the oil). Remove the drain plug and wait until the oil only drips out, then replace the drain plug.
Step 5: locate and remove the oil filter (usually located adjacent to the oil pan on the driver's side, an oil filter wrench may be required. Place the oil drain pan below it before removing it as it will leak some oil when removed)
Step 6: replace new filter and hand tighten ONLY.
Step 7: lower vehicle from jack and refill engine with oil (goes in the oil cap you removed at the beginning), and replace the oil cap. Run the engine for 5 seconds to circulate new oil, then check the dipstick (normally yellow. Remove, wipe off, replace then remove again to check oil level) and if its at the 'full' mark, you're done.
