Step 1: Preparation

Changing your oil and filter should take about an hour. The better prepared you are, the better it will go. For starters, make sure you’ve got the right type of oil and the right amount, plus the right oil filter. Use the My Garage feature on the Supercheap Auto website. All you need is your rego. Or come and see us in store.

If you’re using engine oil flush, run the engine according to the instructions on the bottle. Then park up on a hard, level surface. Your engine should be warm to allow for easy engine oil drainage, but not hot enough to burn yourself.

To make your engine oil change easier; put your vehicle in park, handbrake on, chock the wheels and raise your vehicle onto your jack stands. Pop on those gloves and glasses. A bit of oil in the eyes is no fun.

Step 2: Remove and Drain

For this you’ll have to get under your car. If you’ve got a mechanics creeper, glide on under with your socket or sump plug kit, and oil drain pan. If not, you’ll just have to wriggle. Crack the sump plug loose and be ready to catch the oil. It rarely goes where you expect, unless it’s on your hands. It always gets on your hands.

Put the sump plug aside and while the oil drains, tackle the oil filter. Sometimes they come off easily by hand, other times you’ll need a filter wrench. Either way, there will be a splash of old oil waiting to stain your face or your garage floor. So be ready with a small tub. An old ice-cream tub works great. No need to put the new filter on just yet.

Step 3: Clean up and replace

Once your oil had drained, remove your drain pan and wipe your sump plug clean. Pop on a new sump plug washer, then get back under and tighten the sump plug in place. No rattle gun? No worries. For an easy engine oil change next time it’s a good idea to use a torque wrench until you know what “just tight enough” feels like.

Now complete your oil filter change. Every new oil filter needs the seal lubricated. A quick wipe of fresh engine oil will do the trick. Spin your new filter on until it contacts the housing and give it another quarter turn by hand (or to the manufacturer’s torque specification where stated).

Step 4: Fill er’ up!

Grab your big funnel and locate the oil filler port. Pour in the amount recommended by those books in your glovebox or via the My Garage feature on the Supercheap Auto website. No matter how good that golden oil looks, do not dip your finger for a taste!

Once you’ve poured in the recommended amount, pop the filler cap back on, check you haven’t left any rags in the fan, and fire the engine up for 30 seconds. This allows the oil to circulate and fill the oil filter. Let the oil settle again for a couple of minutes before checking the dipstick and topping off the oil as necessary.

It really is that easy! Sure, it might take a little longer the first time around but that’s okay. In no time you’ll be an oil change super star. Just don’t tell your friends or you’ll be changing their oil too.