Changing your cars oil regularly is the best {text:bookmark-start} thing {text:bookmark-end} you can do to prolong the {text:bookmark-start} life {text:bookmark-end} of your car. You can also save {text:bookmark-start} time {text:bookmark-end} and money, and have peace of mind, knowing that the {text:bookmark-start} job {text:bookmark-end} was done right. Mechanics charge around $35 to $40 just for a {text:bookmark-start} standard {text:bookmark-end} oil change and sometimes they do a lousy job and use cheap oil; sometimes you would have to wait about 2 hours before they finish. The job costs around $20, it's easy and takes about 30 minutes. {text:bookmark-start} Check {text:bookmark-end} your owner's manual for the vehicle's oil capacity and drain plug location. For most jobs, you will need 4 or 5 quarts of oil, an oil filter wrench, a box-end wrench the size of your drain plug, a funnel, rags, a pan, a jack and jackstands, and, of course, a new oil filter appropriate for your car or truck.For the {text:bookmark-start} first {text:bookmark-end} step, raise the car with the jack. After the car is at a {text:bookmark-start} good {text:bookmark-end} height, set the parking brake and set the jackstands on each side of the car to make sure it is securely supported. A very important note to remember is to never work under a car supported only by a jack, it is dangerous.
Next, Use the box-end wrench, loosen the drain plug; if you do not know which way to turn the wrench, just remember this phrase "lefty loosy, righty tighty". Slide the drain pan under the drain plug. Unscrew the plug. When the plug is ready to come out, quickly pull it out of the way. Hold on to the plug so it doesn't drop into the drain pan. Let the oil drain for at least five minutes, then clean the plug with a rag and reinstall it. Make sure the oil is not hot, if it is too hot, just give it a couple of minutes to cool down. For the next step, loosen the oil filter using the oil filter wrench....