If you want to lengthen the life of your car, you will need to change the oil regularly. You should do this every three months to 3,000 miles for it to perform at optimum levels. Some oil filters will allow you to go longer than that. Here are the steps to do it yourself.
Get the Supplies
Before you start, you will need to buy the items you need for the job. You will need a couple bottles of oil, a good air filter, and an oil seal or two. You will also need a tub for the oil to drain into and rags for clean up. Consult with the auto parts shop to ensure that you have the correct oil for your make and model and what would be the best filter.
Get Started
Once you have your supplies, start your car and let it run for a few minutes. This gets everything moving inside and makes changing the oil simpler. Jack your car up on stands so you can get under it easily. Organize your tools then find the oil plug. Position the tub under the area of the plug and twist it off. Wait for the oil to start draining then move on to the next step.
Prepare To Change
Open one of the new bottles of oil then rub some on a new seal to prepare it. Remove the old filter from your car and dispose of it. Once all the old oil is gone, put the new filter in. Underneath the car, remove the old oil gasket and replace it with the one you smeared oil on. Put the seal in place and screw the cap back into place. Add the bottles of oil that you purchased to the vehicle, checking the level with the dipstick after each one to check the level.