How to Check and Change the Oil in Your Car

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Unlike so many aspects of modern vehicles, here's some maintenance you can actually do yourself.

Oil is the lifeblood of your car's engine. Staying on top of your oil status may be a car owner's most important maintenance task. It's a check that remains relatively simple despite other areas of the car getting super complicated and digital. And believe it or not, changing the oil is a task that — if you're so inclined — you can actually do yourself.

Here's a basic rundown of how to check and change the oil in a car.

Finding the dipstick should be straightforward. It’s usually locating near the side of the engine. It has a brightly colored handle. It should slide out easily when pulled. Once it’s out, wipe it and (as the name suggests) dip it back in again to check the oil.

The first thing to check is the oil condition. It should be a smooth, relatively transparent amber color. If it’s dark and or gritty, change your oil.

The dipstick should have marks indicating low and full levels. It should come out at or near the full mark. If it’s below the low mark, add oil. If it's between the two marks, you may want to top the oil off just to be safe.

Oil technology has improved since the days of yore when every 3,000 miles was the norm. Premium synthetic oils can last much longer. Some manufacturers now recommend oil change intervals of 7,500 or even 10,000 miles for new cars.

As a rule of thumb, think every 5,000 to 7,500 or every six to 12 months. If you haven’t hit the mileage, adhere to the time frame. Oil change providers (dealers or independent) often recommend a shorter interval between oil changes for financial reasons. Trust the manufacturer's estimate in your owner's manual.

Honestly, there’s no need to change your oil yourself. Oil changes aren’t cheap, but much of the cost of the oil change is the cost of the oil rather than the labor. So while it is a job you may be able to do yourself, the savings relative to the costs of car and truck ownership may not be worth the effort. And there aren’t many tangible benefits. If you do it yourself, it’s likely because you enjoy taking care of cars.

You’ll need to lift the car's front end to work on it. The easiest way to do so is to buy a set of ramps to drive the car onto. You can also use jacks and jack stands at the appropriate safe points.

Locate the oil fill spout in the engine. Remove the cap. Place a piece of cardboard underneath the engine to absorb spills. Find the oil pan drain plug and position the drain pan underneath it. Loosen and carefully remove the drain plug with a socket wrench. Let the oil drain completely into the pan.

Find the oil filter, which should be screwed into the engine block. It will likely be accessed from above the engine. Place the discarded filter in a plastic bag. Pour a small amount of oil into the new filter. Screw the new filter back into the mounting point.

Ensure the draining of oil has stopped. Replace the drain plug without overtightening. Place a funnel in the engine fill spout and pour in the recommended amount of oil. Remove the funnel from the fill spout and replace the cap.

Remove the vehicle from the ramps — only start the engine once you’re dead sure you added oil back into the car. Let the car sit for a few minutes when level. Then check the oil level.

The rub to changing your own oil is that you have to dispose of the oil yourself. Used oil is generally recycled to be re-refined into lubricant or burnt for fuel. And, like batteries, there's a particular way to do that. Auto care and repair facilities typically accept motor oil. You can find a location here.