Oil change

Some cars are easy to change, some more difficult. The first 3 cars I owned it was easy to get to the drain plug and oil filter and I did it myself but my Miata is a pain to change, you need to put the car on a ramp and it is nearly impossible to remove the oil filter without burning yourself on the exhaust manifold if you have large hands. I used to change my oil all the time but since getting the Miata I’ve let quick lube places do the honors.

The general proceedure is to drive the car a bit to warm it up (warm oil flows easier and driving the car helps remove more dirt and gunk.

Put something to collect the oil under your car and remove the oil drain plug.

Remove the oil filter. Remember that the oil filter can be full of hot dirty oil as well.

After all the oil has drained out replace the drain plug. If you don’t get it tight enough or too tight it will leak. Also some models of cars have crush washers on the drain plug that should be replaced every time you change your oil. Rub a little oil on the gasket of the oil filter to help it seal and install according to directions on the box. If possible fill the filter with oil before installing; this gets oil to your engine a little faster when you start the first time after the oil change and minimizes the amount of time it is without lubrication. If you filter mounts such a way that this is not possible don’t sweat it.

Take your old oil to a collection center (don’t forget to drain out the oil in the old filter). One quart of used motor oil can pollute 2 million gallons of water. Whatever you do don’t just pour it down the drain! Some collection centers will also accept old oil filters for recycling.

After you change your oil look for leaks where you drive the next few days to make sure everything is sealed up.