Can I Do An Oil Change Myself?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Unless your car's oil filter and/or oil drain plug is impossible to reach, you can save money by changing your oil and oil filter yourself (your car's manual should tell you how much oil to get and how often to change your oil). ... Look under your car to find the drain plug.

What gets done during an oil change?

What happens during an oil change? During an oil change, we do more than pour new oil in your engine. We'll remove your old, gunky oil and replace it with a full , synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage oil depending on your vehicle's needs.

What do you need to bring to get an oil change?

What happens during an oil change? During an oil change, we do more than pour new oil in your engine. We'll remove your old, gunky oil and replace it with a full synthetic oil, synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage oil depending on your vehicle's needs.

Can I just add oil to my car instead of getting an oil change?

If you just add oil to your car's engine periodically, that's far better than letting your car run out of oil, but you're still going to create a lot of problems if that's all you do. ... If that's the case, you're likely keeping the same oil filter in the engine, too. So that's never being replaced .

How long does it take to get an oil change?

Typically, an oil change takes about 30-45 minutes .

The process includes draining out the existing oil and changing the oil filter, then placing new oil into the engine.

What is a basic oil change?

Put simply an oil change is when you take out the from your engine and put back in new motor oil . During an oil change you also have to change the oil filter and put on a new one. The oil and oil filter do so much for your engine that getting regular is the best way to keep your vehicle healthy.

How long can I go without an oil change?

Cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes.

What are the 10 steps to an oil change?

  1. Step 1: Jack It Up, Open It Up. First, you'll want to lift the car high enough to give yourself room to work under it. ...
  2. Step 2: Unplug It, Drain It. ...
  3. Step 3: Off With the Old Filter. ...
  4. Step 4: Drain Plug in, Filter On. ...
  5. Step 5: Fill It Back Up with Oil. ...
  6. Step 6: Check the Oil Level, Check for Leaks.

How much does an oil change cost?

Typically, an oil and filter change using conventional oil will cost between $35 and $75 , depending on your area. If your car requires synthetic oil, you should expect to pay anywhere from $65 to $125.

Is changing oil worth yourself?

Well, truth be told, you don't really save a lot of money changing your own oil . And if you include your labor costs, you are probably better off having a professional do it for you. ... You can cut your oil change costs by more than 50% if you decrease your frequency to a recommended once every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

How long can an engine run without oil before damage?

The presence of oil and its distribution is absolutely crucial to an engines continued operation. Engines can work without oil, but the effect is so damaging they are only capable of running for less than 30 minutes until failing – and in most cases, it's a lot quicker than that.

What happens if you go too long without an oil change?

Go long enough without an oil change, and it could eventually cost you your car. Once motor oil becomes sludge , it no longer draws heat from the engine. The engine might overheat and either blow a gasket or seize up. ... If the heat doesn't cause a gasket to blow, it will warp the parts in your engine.

Is it OK to mix old and new oil?

3 Answers. Mixing new with the old will cause you absolutely no issues . As long as you are using the same weight oil, it will mix up and you'd never know it. Continue to change your oil at the specified interval and you should be golden.

Is it bad to go 1000 miles over an oil change?

Some drivers push it an additional 1,000 or 2,000 miles, but even changing your oil that frequently may be unnecessary. Depending on your car, you might be able to drive 7,500 or even 10,000 miles between oil changes without putting your vehicle's life expectancy at risk.

Does a car run better after an oil change?

Smooth Ride. If you haven't had regular oil changes in the past, you probably notice a significant difference in how the car performs before and after the oil change. Once the oil change is complete, your vehicle runs smoothly and with more power.

Should an oil change take 2 hours?

An oil change at a local mechanic can take from 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the shop and how busy it is. Some repair shops allocate several bays for “express services”, which in most cases are oil changes. You may think that waiting 45 minutes is not too much when compared with “quick lube” shops.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.