Performing regular car maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your vehicle and ensuring its optimal performance. Among these maintenance tasks, changing your car’s oil is one of the most fundamental and frequently required. While it might seem daunting to beginners, changing your own oil is a straightforward process with the right knowledge and, more importantly, the right tools. Having the correct tools not only simplifies the job but also ensures safety and efficiency. This guide will walk you through the essential and common tools you’ll need to confidently perform an oil change at home.
Essential Tools for Every Car Owner (Also Key for Oil Changes)
Before diving into tools specifically for oil changes, it’s important to have a foundation of general automotive tools. These tools are versatile and will be useful for various car maintenance tasks, including oil changes.
Ratchet and Socket Set
A ratchet and socket set is arguably the cornerstone of any toolkit, especially when it comes to automotive work. When changing your oil, you’ll need to remove the drain plug located underneath your car’s oil pan. Sockets attach to the ratchet, allowing you to grip and turn fasteners like the drain plug. The ratcheting mechanism is a game-changer, allowing you to loosen or tighten bolts without lifting and repositioning the tool after each turn, unlike using a standard wrench.
For most DIY car maintenance, including oil changes, a 3/8-inch drive ratchet set is a great starting point. These sets often come with a range of both metric and SAE (Standard American) sockets. While modern cars primarily use metric sizes, having both types ensures you’re prepared for any vehicle. Consider a set that includes various socket sizes and extensions to reach fasteners in tighter spots.
Wrenches
While socket sets are incredibly useful, wrenches are indispensable for many automotive tasks, and oil changes are no exception. Wrenches provide a different type of grip and are often necessary when space is limited, or when dealing with certain types of fasteners that sockets cannot easily access. Like sockets, wrenches come in both metric and SAE sizes. For general car maintenance and oil changes on most modern vehicles, a set of metric combination wrenches is essential. Combination wrenches feature an open-end wrench on one side and a box-end wrench on the other, offering versatility for different situations.
Starting with a comprehensive metric set is advisable. If you work on older vehicles or specific domestic models that use SAE sizes, you can always add an SAE wrench set to your collection later. A good set of wrenches will cover a range of sizes, ensuring you have the right tool for various nuts and bolts you might encounter during an oil change or other car maintenance tasks.
Screwdriver Set
While perhaps not directly used for the oil drain plug or filter, a screwdriver set is a must-have general tool that can be surprisingly useful during an oil change. You might need screwdrivers to remove splash shields or underbody panels to gain access to the oil drain plug or filter. They are also handy for various small tasks around the car.
A versatile screwdriver set should include both Phillips head and flat-head screwdrivers in various sizes. Sets that also include Torx and Robertson (square) head screwdrivers provide even greater flexibility, covering a wider range of fastener types you might encounter on your vehicle. A multi-screwdriver set with interchangeable bits can be a space-saving and cost-effective option for beginners.
Vehicle Lifting Tools: Ramps and Jack Stands
To access the underside of your car to reach the oil drain plug and oil filter, you’ll need to safely elevate your vehicle. There are two common methods for DIY oil changes: maintenance ramps and a hydraulic floor jack with jack stands.
Maintenance Ramps: Ramps are a quick and straightforward way to lift the front (or rear, depending on your vehicle and oil drain plug location) of your car. You simply drive the vehicle onto the ramps, which raises the car and provides undercarriage access. Ramps are particularly convenient for oil changes because they are fast to set up. However, ramps do not allow you to remove the wheels, which might be necessary for other types of maintenance or if you prefer to rotate tires during your oil change.
Hydraulic Floor Jack and Jack Stands: A hydraulic floor jack and jack stands offer more versatility than ramps. A floor jack allows you to lift the vehicle to the desired height, and then you securely support the car using jack stands. Jack stands are crucial safety devices and must always be used when working under a vehicle lifted with a jack. Never rely solely on a jack to support a vehicle. Using a jack and jack stands provides wheel access, making it suitable for oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and suspension repairs. For oil changes, you’ll typically lift the car at designated jack points and place jack stands to support the vehicle securely before getting underneath.
For oil changes and overall versatility, a hydraulic floor jack and jack stands are generally the more recommended option. They provide safe access to the undercarriage and allow for wheel removal if needed for other maintenance tasks performed alongside an oil change.
Safety Glasses
Safety should always be the top priority when working on your car. Safety glasses are non-negotiable and essential for any automotive work, including oil changes. They protect your eyes from debris, dirt, and potential splashes of old oil or chemicals. Wearing safety glasses is a simple yet crucial step to prevent eye injuries while working under your vehicle or handling fluids.
Rags or Shop Towels
Oil changes can get messy. Having a supply of rags or shop towels is essential for wiping up spills, cleaning your hands, and keeping your work area tidy. Old t-shirts or clothes can work in a pinch, but dedicated shop towels are more durable and absorbent. A roll of disposable shop towels is a convenient and practical addition to your garage for oil changes and general cleanup.
Specific Tools for Oil Changes
While the general tools above are essential, certain tools are specifically designed to make the oil change process easier and more efficient.
Oil Filter Wrench, Socket, or Pliers
Removing the old oil filter can often be one of the trickiest parts of an oil change. Oil filters can be tightly installed, greasy, and located in hard-to-reach areas. An oil filter wrench, socket, or pliers provides the extra grip and leverage needed to remove stubborn filters.
Oil Filter Wrenches: These come in various types, such as band-type wrenches, claw-type wrenches, and socket-style wrenches. Band wrenches are versatile and can fit different filter sizes. Claw wrenches tighten their grip as you turn, providing a secure hold. Socket-style wrenches are designed for specific filter sizes and offer a precise fit when you know the correct size for your vehicle.
Oil Filter Pliers: Oil filter pliers are large pliers with textured jaws designed to grip and turn oil filters. They are particularly useful when space is limited and offer a good alternative to wrenches.
Oil Filter Sockets: For vehicles with easily accessible oil filters, an oil filter socket that fits your ratchet set can be the simplest solution. These sockets are designed to fit specific flutes or features on the end of certain oil filters. Some newer vehicles, particularly certain Toyota models, use cartridge-style oil filters with housings that require a specific oil filter socket to remove the housing and access the filter element. Consult your vehicle’s repair manual or online resources to determine the correct type of oil filter and removal tool for your car.
Funnel
After draining the old oil and replacing the filter, you’ll need to refill your engine with fresh oil. A funnel is crucial to pour the new oil into the oil filler neck without spills. Using a funnel prevents oil from running down the engine, making the process cleaner and ensuring all the new oil goes where it should. Choose a funnel with a neck that fits securely into your oil filler opening.
Oil Drain Pan
When you remove the oil drain plug, the old engine oil will come gushing out. An oil drain pan is essential to collect this used oil safely and cleanly. Purpose-built oil drain pans are designed to be low-profile to fit under vehicles and have a wide opening to catch the oil stream. Many drain pans also include a spout or pouring feature to make it easy to transfer the used oil into a recycling container without making a mess. Using a drain pan is environmentally responsible and keeps your work area clean.
Nitrile Gloves
While not strictly essential, disposable nitrile gloves are highly recommended for oil changes. They protect your hands from getting coated in used motor oil, which can be dirty and is classified as a carcinogen. Gloves also provide better grip on tools and parts that might be oily. Nitrile gloves are resistant to oil and chemicals, making them ideal for automotive work and keeping your hands clean and protected.
Get Started with Confidence
Changing your car’s oil at home is a rewarding DIY task that can save you money and increase your familiarity with your vehicle. By assembling these common and essential tools, you’ll be well-equipped to perform oil changes efficiently and safely. Start building your tool collection with these basics, and you’ll be ready to tackle not just oil changes, but a range of other car maintenance tasks as well. Remember to always consult your vehicle’s repair manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines related to your car model. With the right tools and knowledge, you can confidently take care of your car’s oil changes and more.
