Why? (Car Content)

Why does no one know how to basic car maintaince anymore? It can save you a lot if you drive a ton like i do. Oil change? Nothing better for your car, and gets you under it to see if you have any other problems developing. Here is a quick guide.

What you need:
Good Jack
Jackstand
Oil drainage pan
Rubber Gloves
Safety Glasses
Wrenches or Sockets for the oil drain plug
Filter wrench (strap wrench works from walmart - or a dedicated oil filter attachement for your socket wrench)
Paper towels
Plastic bag
Appropriate oil for your car - 5-8 quarts depending on what you are working on
New Oil filter

Most guys have at least 1/2 these tools. The rest aren't expensive, and after a change or 2 you have paid yourself back.

Steps.
1) Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands. I use blue gloves i got from my auto parts store.
Have the car cool, not just driven or you will burn yourself. You can run it for a minute or 2 prior to changing the oil so it warms up a little and make it flow easier.
2) On a flat surface, locate your jack point as instructed in your owners manual. With the car in Park, or in 1st gear and the emergency brake engaged - (you should have some form of stop for your back wheel, a brick will work or something to stop the car rolling forward if the e-brake isn't very good) jack the car up so you have enough room underneath to get to the oil filter and oil pan bolt.
3) Put a jackstand under a structural memeber of the car to prevent it from falling on you. If you are comfortable with it you can lower the car onto the stand and be safe. Or leave the jack as the main support and the stand as backup.
3a) If you have enough room with the one side supported then continue, if the car is low you
may want to jack up the other side of the car to give you more room to work.
4) Slide your oil catch pan under the car and locate the oil pan and drin plug. It is normally the lowest part of the engine and the plug will face down or down and back. Consult your owners manual for location.
5) Have your appropriate wrnech or socket ready and loosen the plug or bolt. Loosen by hand when it is broken free, and push it up into the pan as you loosen it to prevent oil from splattering. Pull the plug out when it is fully loose and let the oil drain into the pan.
6) Take the plug or bolt and clean it off with a paper towel. You may have gotten oil on you too - so clean the excess.
7) When the oil is draining, locate the oil filter and use whatever tool you have bought to loosen the filter. Lossen it just a little and let it stay for now.
8) Once the oil has drained out of the pan completely, put the bolt/plug back in and tighten. Use a good amount of force but don't put all your strength behind it or you will strip it.
9) Move the catch pan under where the filter is and take it all the way out. (Safety glasses save you from oil splatter) Put the filter in the pan, and use the paper towells to clean the surface the oil filter goes up against.
10) Take your new filter and take some of the old oil in the pan and moisten the gasket around the filter top. This helps it seal. Open a new quart of oil and fill the filter 1/2 way to prevent a dry start. The put the filter in place on it's screw shaft and tighten. (I only use my hands to tighten the filter, but you can use the wrench if you want, again, don't overtighten. The heat from the car will keep it in there ok)
11) Clean any oil from the bottom of the car you splilled, make sure the plug is in and the filter is tight, and then get out from under the car and clean up.
12) Add at least 4 quarts of oil to the engine by the filler that is marked in the engine bay. Start the car and let it run for about 3 minutes to let the oil circulate. The check to level on the dipstick to see if it needs more. Add as needed.
13) Re-jack the car to get the jackstand out, and then lower the car after all tools and the pan have been slid out from under it. Re-start the car and run it again and check the oil level.

With practice you can do this change in 20 minutes. Spot if you have issues under the car, and spend only like $20 in materials. And feel good about yourself! Go do it!