How To: Diy Oil Change, On a corolla but will apply to pretty much any car Options

[nrgizerbunny]

Right, I did an oil change yesterday and while not exactly hard I thought I would take some pictures so that owners can steer clear of the horrific stealer charges.

First things first you will need:

1. Trolley Jack (optional) - you can actually do it without a trolley jack if your oil collecting tray is shallow
2. Oil collecting tray (I use one of those addis plastic box things).
3. Oil Filter wrench
4. Oil 4.2 litres on a corolla T sport
5. Sump Plug washer
6. Oil filter
7. Engine Flush (optional) - if your car is old don't use this

1. First thing to do is to pour in the flush. Remove the oil filler cap and pour in the flush, if messy use a funnel. if you aren't flushing your engine proceed to step 2.














2. Next step is to either take your car for a 10minute drive at below 3000RPM or leave it stationary and let the engine temperature come up. This step is vital as oil is generally thick when its cold. So getting the oil hot is beneficial for a good change.

3. Jack the car up. The easiest place to jack the car up is the wheel changing point, I have a trolley jack so I use the centre jack point on the front of the car, have a look in the manual and it will show you where to jack if you are unsure. If you don't have axle stands, then get a few bricks and put them under your tyres as the car comes up.




4. Next step is to remove the sump plug (its actually a bolt). It is a 14mm socket on *most* toyotas. It is pretty easy to spot as its on the corner of what looks like a tank (for the untechnical folk!) and points kind of downwards. Make sure your oil collecting tank is position accordingly!

The position of the plug is towards the drivers side front wheel (on a right hand drive car). Once located, get your socket over it and turn it slowly anticlockwise, oil will start to drip out. As the oil is hot I would strongly suggest you get a pair of pliers and rotate the bolt as its HOT! DO NOT LET THE Bolt drop into the oil as its ballache to have to faff with oily bolts.









After a while the gushing oil will decend to a drip. If you want a thorought oil change leave it for about 1 hour and that will get 95% of the crap out.