Coastal 101: Changing the Oil in Your Car or Truck

John shares step-by-step directions and tips for changing your oil.  

Get Your Car and Truck Care Items at Coastal  

Your Northwest owned and operated Coastal has everything you need to change your oil, including tools, drain pans, and more. Whatever it is you have on your to-do list, Coastal has what you need to get it done, from feed and fencing to garden equipment, seeds, and starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you change the oil in your car?
Most automakers suggest changing your engine’s oil between 5,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. If your car or truck has over 100,000 miles, you may want to change it more often.

How long does it take to change the oil in your car?
The amount of time it takes to change the oil in your vehicle depends on how familiar you are with the process and your vehicle’s engine components. Some experts suggest giving yourself upwards of one hour to complete a full oil change.

How to change the oil in your car yourself?  
To change your oil, you’re going to need your owner’s manual, a jack or ramp (if there isn’t enough clearance under your rig), the right amount and right type of oil, the correct oil filter and an oil filter wrench, a set of wrenches or an adjustable wrench, a funnel, and a drain pan.

Start by consulting your owner’s manual. You need to know the correct point to jack up your rig. You also need to know how much and what kind of oil you need. The oil filter will also be listed in your owner’s manual.

If you have everything you need, either jack up your vehicle or be sure you can fit under it easily. First, you’re going to need access to the drain plug and oil filter. You’ll find the location for both in your owner’s manual.

Start with the drain plug. Position the drain pan under it and start to loosen the plug counterclockwise. Now, use one hand to unscrew the plug. Move quickly to avoid getting sprayed with oil, but also hold onto the plug so you don’t have to go fishing for it in the drain pan later.

Let the oil drain for about 10 minutes.

After it’s drained, replace the plug and tighten it down. But not too tight. You want it to be snug.

Now, find the oil filter. It’ll be a cylinder that unscrews using the oil filter wrench or by hand. Remove and replace.

The final steps are to unscrew the oil cap in the engine compartment and fill your vehicle with oil using a clean funnel. Don’t overfill it. Add the amount recommended by the manufacturer listed in your owner’s manual. Then give it a few minutes before you start it up.

Once you start it, let it run for a few minutes. Then, check the dipstick to ensure you have it at the proper level. Also, look for any leaks. If oil flows out of the filter or from the cap, you’ll need to turn off your vehicle and make some adjustments.