Living

Stop Paying $125 for Oil Changes-Do It Yourself With These Simple Steps

By Philip Ellis Men's Journal

Updated April 30, 2026 10:36 PM

When it comes to car maintenance, there are some jobs that you might assume should be performed by experienced mechanics only. But with prices for an oil change ranging from anywhere between $25 and $125 depending on where you take your car and what kind of vehicle you own, the cost of keeping your car running smoothly can stack up, and you might be considering doing it yourself.

Like tuning up your garage door springs and restoring cloudy headlights, changing your oil yourself isn't as difficult as you might be thinking. If you're a beginner to at-home car maintenance, you might be surprised to learn just how quickly and easily you can complete this task at home, in just 30 to 60 minutes.

Read on for all the information you'll need to change your oil at home, including the tools required, the mistakes you'll want to avoid, answers to any questions you might have, and step-by-step instructions.

Why Changing Your Oil Is Important

Oil keeps your vehicle running smoothly. It lubricates all of the engine's components and prevents damage: Without it, those moving parts would rub against each other and end up breaking, leading to expensive repair work. However, over time, the oil in your engine can pick up dust, dirt, and other debris. Dirty oil is less effective as a lubricant, and can reduce your car's performance. Regular oil changes are an important part of your overall car maintenance to ensure peak performance and keep your car running for longer.

We reached out to fabricator and mechanic Gabriel Scheuher, who creates car maintenance content for more than 72,000 followers on Instagram, for advice. He explains: "It's important to change your oil regularly, because it cools engine components by carrying heat away, protects against corrosion and sludge buildup, and cleans by suspending dirt, metal particles, and combustion byproducts."

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

The frequency with which you need to change your oil depends on the make and model of your car, and we would always recommend checking your owner's manual for specific guidance. As a general rule, however, it is best to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for older cars. More modern vehicles, meanwhile, can run between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes.

It is worth noting that if you are using synthetic oil, this lasts considerably longer, and you may be able to go as much as 15,000 miles before requiring an oil change.

Tools and Supplies You'll Need

Make sure you have all of the following on hand before you begin:

Motor oil (your owner's manual will include details on the correct grade and amount of oil you should need)
Oil filter
Socket wrench
Oil drain pan
Funnel
Jack and jack stands (optional)
Gloves/rags to minimize mess

How to Change Oil

Step 1: Warm Up the Engine

Start the car and run the engine for a few moments: This will warm up the oil, helping it to flow better. "First, the oil temperature has to be warm so that the oil is thin," says Scheuher.

Step 2: Park Safely and Lift the Car

Position the car on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Then, if necessary, raise the car on a jack stand to provide easy access to the oil drainage.

Step 3: Locate the Drain Plug and Oil Filter

The drain plug is a large nut under the car's oil pan, which you'll usually find below the engine. The oil filter will be located near the oil pan, and should be clearly labeled. If you're unsure of where to find the drain plug and oil filter on your car, you can refer to your owner's manual.

Step 4: Drain the Old Oil

Place the drain pan under the plug, ensuring that it will be big enough to contain all of the oil. Then, remove the drain plug. The oil will start to flow out into the pan. Allow the oil to fully drain from the car.

Step 5: Replace the Oil Filter

Unscrew and remove the oil filter, being careful not to spill any oil that may still be inside. Then, using a gloved finger, lightly oil the rubber gasket on your new oil filter, and install it in the old filter's place, screwing it in tightly by hand. Applying a thin layer of oil to the gasket will help to create a seal as you tighten it.

Step 6: Reinstall Drain Plug

Return the drain plug to the bottom of the oil pan, screwing it back in until it's a snug fit. It is important that you don't overtighten, as an overly tight fit can damage the drain plug and by extension the oil pan.

Step 7: Add New Oil

You can now lower the car back to the ground and pop the hood. Before adding the new oil, be sure to check the manufacturer-recommended amount for your vehicle. Once you have the correct amount, use the funnel to pour the new oil into the hole in the oil filter.

Step 8: Check Oil Level and Run Engine

Checking that you've got the right oil level is really simple: Pull the dipstick from its tube, wipe with a paper towel or rag, and reinsert it. Then remove it one more time to check that the oil is lined up with the "full" line on the stick. If it's not quite full enough, carefully add more oil in small volumes using the funnel until you reach the "full" mark on the dipstick.

Keeping the car in park, start the ignition and run the engine briefly. "Leave it running for around one minute, then check the oil level again," advises Scheuher. "If needed, refill."

Tips for At-Home Oil Changes

"Don't hurry, and stay chill so you don't forget anything in the process," says Scheuher. Useful pointers to keep in mind when changing your oil include:

Lay down cardboard or newspaper before beginning to avoid a mess.
Before removing the old oil, it can help to loosen the oil cap first to help it drain out faster.
Don't overtighten the drain plug or oil cap when reinstalling them.
Always double-check the oil level.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Doing an oil change by yourself for the first time can feel daunting, but it really isn't that complicated, as long as you keep an eye out for the following common mistakes that beginners can make:

Using the Wrong Type of Oil

Firstly, using the wrong type of oil can cause issues, because different oils have different levels of viscosity, and your car's manufacturer will specify the exact right kind of oil to keep that particular engine running smoothly. You can easily check this in the owner's manual. Additionally, the oil cap on your car may include a recommended oil type.

Overfilling or Under-filling

When refilling the oil, be sure not to add too much or too little. The correct amount of oil for your car will be specified in the owner's manual.

Forgetting to Replace Parts

Another easy mistake is forgetting to replace the drain plug or oil filter once you have completed the oil change.

Overtightening Parts

Similarly, once you do replace the plug and filter, it's important not to overtighten them. Fitting these too tightly can cause the plug and oil pan to break once the engine is running.

Not Checking for Leaks

Once the job is complete, not everybody looks for leaks around the oil filter and under the vehicle. This can help you ensure everything was put back correctly.

How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

When taking your car to an auto shop to get the oil changed by an experienced mechanic, the job is usually done in 15 to 30 minutes. If you're doing it by yourself at home, expect it to take a little longer: around 30 to 60 minutes. The first time you do it, it will probably take the full hour, maybe slightly longer. But when you've completed the task once, you'll find doing it a second time is much faster and more straightforward.

"It normally depends on what car you're working on," adds Scheuher. "There are cars where you need 15 minutes, but there can also be cars where it takes two hours. It also depends on if you have a lift or only a carjack. It's most important that you take your time and don't rush, because if you forget something it can cause big and expensive issues."

DIY vs Professional Oil Change

There are some pretty great advantages to changing your own oil, most notably being the money you'll save, and the control you'll have over choosing your own materials. However, there are also perks to taking your car into a shop for an oil change. Professional, experienced mechanics will be able to get the job done more quickly, and with less mess. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

What to Do With Old Oil

Put all old oil in a firmly sealed container. Do not pour it down a drain. There are a number of ways to get rid of your old oil that are safe and environmentally sound. Many stores accept used oil. Alternatively, you can take it to a recycling center, or to an auto shop, which will have its own methods of safely disposing of used oil. You should never dump old oil.

FAQs

Is it hard to change your own oil?

Changing your own oil might seem like a complicated task, but it's simpler than you might think. "It's easy to do it yourself if you have the needed tools like a carjack/lift, a ratchet with the needed nuts, and the oil filter and the right oil for your exact type of car," says Scheuher.

Can I change oil without lifting the car?

This depends entirely on the kind of vehicle you're working on, and the amount of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the car. Sometimes, there will be sufficient space to allow you to drain the oil pan and replace the plug and filter. If you don't have access to a car lift, then you may be able to create enough clearance using a standard carjack.

What oil should I use?

The kind of oil you use will vary from vehicle to vehicle. If you're not sure, then you can check the owner's manual or the cap on your oil filter.

Do I need to change the filter every time?

Yes, it's important that you replace the oil filter each time you change your oil. This helps to prevent contamination, where traces of dust and metal from your previous oil get back into the engine.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Home Living section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:24 PM.