How to change your oil Changing your car or truck's oil yourself is not only a money saver, but it's also a lot easier than it sounds. Our step-by-step tutorial explains a safe and efficient way to perform this simple task. What you’ll need          4 to 6 quarts of high-quality motor oil. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the proper SAE viscosity, API performance or manufacturer motor oil specification and specific quantity required for your engine. Find more information by reading How to choose the right oil. A new oil filter. Most vehicles use a "spin-on" oil filter available in various shapes and sizes. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the size and type appropriate for your vehicle. A drain plug socket wrench or open-end wrench (the exact size to fit your drain plug) An oil filter wrench A large drain pan (that can hold at least 5 to 7 quarts of fluid) A funnel A rag Hand cleaning solution and/or disposable latex gloves Safety glasses Safety precautions      Whenever you work on your car, make sure the engine is off, the car is in park or gear and the key is removed from the ignition. Put on latex gloves and safety glasses before starting any work. If you need to access your oil filter from the underside of your vehicle, use extreme caution, and follow the manufacturer's instructions related to the use of car ramps, jacks or supports. Do not allow oil to come in contact with bare skin. If it does, rinse immediately with soap and warm water. Use caution when handling engine oil and engine parts, both of which might be hot. Step-by-step instructions 1. Locate the oil drain plug Locate the oil drain plug for your vehicle. 2. Position the oil drain pan Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug and slightly toward the back of the car. 3. Remove the oil drain plug Using your drain plug socket wrench or open-end wrench, turn the drain plug counterclockwise until it rotates freely. Finish removing the plug by hand. At this point, be careful of the oil as it may release rapidly and may be rather hot. Try not to drop the drain plug into the drain pan— but it’s not a big problem if you do. 4. Locate and remove the oil filter Locate the oil filter, and using your oil filter wrench, loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise. Once loose, complete the removal by hand, taking care not to touch the exhaust manifold, which may be hot. The oil filter may be filled with oil and feel slightly heavy, so carefully ease it down and away from the engine, and tip its contents into the drain pan. 5. Replace the oil filter Wipe your rag in and around the filter seat on the engine. Then take a new filter, and with your finger, apply a light film of new oil to the gasket (the circular edge of the filter itself). This film will act as a sealant. Then gently screw the new filter onto the threaded oil line, turning it clockwise. If it’s aligned properly, the filter should thread on easily. Hand-tighten the filter approximately ½ to ¾ of a turn after the gasket makes contact with the mounting surface. Make sure the filter is mounted snugly, but be gentle, because you don’t want to over tighten it. 6. Reinstall the oil drain plug Before putting it back into place, clean the oil plug and copper gasket. Then, using a paper towel or rag, clean old oil or road dirt from the area on the oil pan around the oil plug hole. Now align and replace the plug. Screw it in by hand, but finish tightening it with your wrench. To prevent under or over tightening, tighten the oil plug to the proper torque recommended in the owner's manual. 6. Add clean oil Under the hood, on the top of the engine, you will find a cap that says “oil.” Unscrew the cap, and proceed to fill the engine with the required quantity of oil, using the dipstick to ensure proper fill level. Use the funnel to carefully pour the new oil into the filler hole. Oil spilled onto the engine or exhaust system will stink up the engine and if it gets onto the exhaust system, it can potentially ignite. When finished, replace the cap, and wipe away any spillage. If your car has an oil light, it should go out as soon as the engine is started, but may require a manual reset as directed in your vehicle's owner's manual. Run the engine for several minutes, then switch off the car, and check the dipstick again to ensure proper oil level. Last but not least, check under the vehicle for leaks. 7. Dispose of your used oil Thought you were finished? Not quite! Used motor oil is highly toxic to the environment, so properly disposing of the oil you have drained from your vehicle is in some ways the most important step in the process. Transfer the used oil to a sealed container. You can return the container full of oil to any Walmart store with a Tire Lube Express. Keep track of oil changes Be sure to keep a written record in your glove compartment of the mileage and date of each oil change. That way, it will be easy to keep track of when your next oil change should take place. Also, should you decide to sell your car in the future, verification of regular oil changes may increase its retail value. Shop our full selection of oil and oil filters at your local Walmart store or at Walmart.com/Auto Important Wal-Mart Disclaimer: Proper service and repair procedures are vital to the safe, reliable operation of all motor vehicles as well as the personal safety of those performing the repairs and those riding in the motor vehicles. Standard safety procedures and precautions (including use of safety goggles and other safety equipment, proper tools and equipment) should be followed at all times to limit the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety. Personal injury could result from the failure to take adequate safety precautions when repairing or maintaining your vehicle. Although this material has been prepared with the intent to provide reliable information, no warranty or representation (express or implied), including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither is any liability assumed for loss or damage of any kind resulting from reliance on this material and Wal-Mart shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind resulting from reliance on this material. Users employ the information contained in this material at their own risk. This material is provided only as a helpful guide and does not replace the information and instructions contained in the motor vehicle’s owner’s manual and product manufacturer’s recommendations. Users are cautioned to consult the motor vehicle’s owner’s manual and product manufacturer’s recommendations for additional information and instructions. Failure to follow the motor vehicle’s owner’s manual and the product manufacturer’s recommendations could result in damage to your vehicle or personal injury.