10 Must-Have Tools to Change Engine Oil Yourself

Changing the engine oil yourself is a great way to save money on car maintenance. Members often ask what tools I need to change the oil and filter on my car. To help our readers, we have compiled a list of the most commonly used tools to change the engine oil on a car.

1. Oil filter wrench

You need an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. If you know the size of the oil filter, the best oil filter wrench to use is a cap design that sits on the filter. If you don’t, you can use a universal oil filter wrench.

There are several oil filter wrench designs, such as Three leg oil filter wrench,  Rubber strap oil wrench, Oil filter pliers, and chain oil filter wrench. We recommend using oil filter pliers with wide application and covering almost all different filters designed except for certain European cars that require a special tool.

2. Oil Drain Pan

You will need an oil pan to collect all the old oil. Make sure the drain pain capacity is larger than your engine’s oil.

For example, don’t buy a five-quart oil catch pan if you know your engine holds seven quarts.

3. Gloves

Don’t bother buying mechanic’s gloves to change your car’s oil. They will get dirty, and you will never use them more than once. Instead, get a box of latex gloves that you can use repeatedly.

4. Mechanic Toolset – Metric

You will need a socket set with a 10mm-19mm socket and ratchet. The engine splash shield is typically held in place with 10mm bolts. In some cases, it is held in place by plastic retainers.

You will also need a 13mm, 15mm, or 17 mm socket to remove the oil drain pan. If you don’t have a good toolset, spend a few minutes reading our article on Choosing the best toolset for DIY auto repair.

5. Ramps or Floor Jack

Car ramps are handy if you start with DIY auto repair. Even if you use ramps, you should still place jack stands under the car to secure it and wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from rolling back.

6. Jack Stands

Jack stands are a must. Do not get under a car if jack stands do not support it. Always secure the vehicle with jack stands.

7. Torque Wrench

A torque wrench to tighten the oil drain plug is essential if you are new to changing the engine oil. It is easy to strip the threads if you’re over-tightening the bolt. Another common problem with beginners is that the drain plug doesn’t get tightened enough, leading to oil leaks.

In some cases, the drain plugs come off completely, which can be catastrophic, especially if you continue to run the engine with no oil. A digital torque wrench is easy to use and strongly recommended for beginners. Torque, the oil drain plug must be torqued between 25 to 30 foot-pounds.

8. Funnel

While using a funnel may not always be necessary, some engines have the oil fill hole so low that a long funnel is required. If the oil cap is at the top of the engine and it isn’t a windy day, place a rag around the oil fill hole, and you can add engine oil without a funnel.

9. Engine Oil

Read the owner’s manual to determine what oil grade and viscosity the automaker recommend for your car. It may also suggest different oil depending on whether you live in a hot or cold climate. The most important thing is to use oil that’s the proper viscosity for your car’s engine. Also, switching to conventional oil or semi-synthetic blends is not recommended if full synthetic oil is required.

10. Oil Filter

Filter manufacturers sell several filters, including the good, better, and best. If you change from mineral oil to synthetic oil or want to change engine oil less frequently, you may want to invest in a better-quality filter and full synthetic oil.

Use this cross-reference oil filter tool to determine which filter fits your vehicle. You will need a new oil and oil filter. Synthetic oil is strongly recommended. To find out the oil grade, look at the cap of the engine filler hole.

It will say 0W-20 or 5W-30. Your owner’s manual can also find the required oil type and capacity. When you go to your auto parts store, they have catalogs where you can look up the oil filter you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you find the 10 Must-Have Tools to Change Engine Oil Yourself guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.