How to Change Your Engine Oil by Mantius Cazaubon

Believe it or not, changing your own oil is not as hard as it may seem. A lot of people choose to take it to an oil change store, because it is easy to do. However, if you learn how to change your oil yourself, you will save a ton of money. One of the easiest cars to change your engine oil in is the Toyota Supra. However, keep in mind that the steps that we are going to go over today not only work for the Toyota Supra, but just about any other type of Toyota car you can think of.

Before you get started, you are going to want to make sure you have the necessary items to do the job. This includes things like tools, a replacement oil filter, something to drain the oil into, as well as some more oil to put back into the car. After you get the tools you need, read on to learn how easy it is to change out your own oil!

The first thing that you are going to want to do is, of course, run the car for a few minutes before you start. Yes, this is going to make the car hot, but it is going to warm up the oil, and warm oil drains a lot faster than cold oil. Next, you are going to want to park your car on a very level surface. When it is in park, be sure to put your emergency brake on so it does not go rolling away. At this point, you are going to want to jack the front end of your car up so that you are able to get under it as needed. Next, you will need to pop open the hood of the car and place the new oil on top of the engine. This is just to ensure you will not forget to add in the new oil after draining the old stuff. That could mess up your car.

Now it is time to drain the oil! To do this, first crawl up under your car. Here you will want to locate the oil drain plug that is located on the underside of your engine. Usually in the Toyota car, it is located near the front center of the car. Before taking the plug out, place the oil drain pan under the plug. When you pull it off, you will have to be ready for the rush of hot oil. Now let all of the oil drain out of the car. When it is done, it will be time to replace the drain plug, make sure it is tightly on, but not too tight. After that, you will need to locate the existing oil filter. Once again, in most Toyotas, like a Supra the oil filter is usually on the side of the engine. Be sure to place your drip pan under the filer to check the oil that may come dripping out. Then use new oil to coat the rubber seal of the new filer and place the new one on the car.

Last, but not least, you are going to want to put in new oil. Locate your oil filler cap on the very top of your engine, and remove it. Use a funnel to stick into the opening so that you do not spill, and start to add in new oil. Usually, a Toyota will take about 4 to 5 quarts. However, be sure to check your manual before adding to make sure you add enough and not too much. After adding, replace your cap and start up the engine. After letting the engine run for a minute, check the dipstick to make sure you have enough oil. If it's too low, simply add in more oil. Check under the car for any oil leaks that may be coming from the filter or the plug. After that, you will need to take your old oil to a recycling center. Never pour it into the sewer.

Mantius Cazaubon is a successful author and publisher of Toyota Parts Buyers Guide. A resource which includes information on OEM and Aftermarket Toyota Parts and Do It Yourself Auto Repair.

Article submitted Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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