Do you know how to change oil at home? A lot of drivers get the urge to DIY their auto service, and we get it – it brings a certain sense of pride and accomplishment to be able to take care of your car yourself (and it’s undeniably cheaper). However, you don’t want to just wing it when it comes to Charlotte auto service! You should leave the trickier elements of car care to the professionals, but learning how to change oil is simple enough… and we’re here to help give you step-by-step instructions on exactly how to do it!
Our Charlotte Toyota Service Center instructs you on how to change oil
Before you learn how to change oil, you need to collect supplies. Here are the basics you should have on hand before you get started with your at-home Charlotte oil change:
- Oil! Have at least 4 liters on hand, and check your owner’s manual to ensure it’s the right TYPE of engine oil and the exact amount to use.
- A funnel
- A wrench for the oil plug and oil filter
- An oil pan to catch the dirty oil
- A car jack to get your car up off the ground
Now you’re ready to start your DIY oil change in Charlotte!
Your first step in learning how to change oil is to jack your car up (safely) so you can easily access the oil plug – you’ll use the wrench to loosen this and let the old oil drain into an oil pan under the car. You may want to let your car run for a few minutes prior to this step to get the oil warm and loosened up, and remember, it will take a few minutes to drain out completely.
The next step in learning how to change oil is to change the oil filter! This is an important part of your Charlotte oil change because it ensures that everything operates at maximum capacity under the hood. Locate the oil filter and replace the old one with a fresh new one – you may also want to smear a little oil around the seal to create a tight one, according to our Toyota Service Center in Charlotte!
Make a DIY Charlotte oil change your solution!
The third step in learning how to change oil is to add the new oil in! Remember to replace the oil plug underneath the car so the new oil doesn’t drain out, and then locate the oil cap under the hood of the car. Unscrew it and use the funnel to complete your Charlotte oil change – be sure to add the right amount of oil (you can use your dipstick to check the level) for maximum performance!
Now you know how to change oil – you can take on this Charlotte car maintenance at home without a problem! However, if you get stuck, have questions, or want to do away with DIY altogether, just give us a call… you can reach us at (888) 378-1214! Ask about our oil change coupons!
