How much does it cost to do your own oil change?

A DIY oil change costs $25-$45 for oil and a filter, compared to $50-$100 at a shop. You'll need a one-time tool investment of about $80-$120 for a drain pan, socket set, jack stands, and oil filter wrench. After the initial tool purchase, you save $30-$60 per oil change, 2-3 times per year.

What tools do I need for my first oil change?

You need: a socket wrench with the correct size socket for your drain plug (usually 14mm or 17mm), an oil filter wrench sized for your car's filter, an oil drain pan (at least 6 quart capacity), a funnel, jack and jack stands (unless your car has enough ground clearance), and shop towels. Total cost: about $80-$120 for everything.

How long does a DIY oil change take?

Your first oil change will take 45-60 minutes. Once you've done it a few times, you can complete it in 20-30 minutes. Most of the time is spent waiting for oil to drain (10-15 minutes) and jacking up the car.

What happens if I use the wrong oil?

Using the wrong viscosity (e.g., 10W-40 instead of 0W-20) can reduce fuel economy, increase engine wear, and potentially void your warranty. Always check your owner's manual or the oil cap for the correct specification. Most modern cars use 0W-20 or 5W-30 full synthetic.

Your First DIY Oil Change

Beginner guide · ~45 minutes · ~$35 in supplies

An oil change is the easiest and most rewarding first job for any home mechanic. You'll save $30-$60 every time, learn how your car works, and build confidence for bigger repairs. Here's everything you need to know.

$65-$100 at a shop

~$35 DIY

Save $30-$65 every oil change · 2-3x per year = $60-$195 annual savings

Tools You Need

One-time investment of about $80-$120:

Socket wrench + drain plug socket — Usually 14mm (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) or 15mm/17mm (Ford, Chevy). Check if your car is metric or SAE.
Oil filter wrench — Sized for your specific filter. A universal strap wrench works in a pinch, but a cap wrench is better. Vehicle-specific size matters.
Oil drain pan — At least 6 quart capacity. Low-profile if your car sits low.
Funnel — Any kitchen funnel works. Long-neck funnels are easier for tight engine bays.
Jack and jack stands — Unless your truck or SUV has enough ground clearance to slide under.
Shop towels — You will spill oil. It's inevitable.

Don't know which sizes you need? Plug your vehicle into WrenchSpec and it will tell you the exact socket sizes, filter wrench size, and oil spec.

Supplies for Each Oil Change

Engine oil — Check your owner's manual or oil cap. Most modern cars use 0W-20 or 5W-30 full synthetic. Buy the correct amount (usually 4-6 quarts).
Oil filter — Vehicle-specific. Your auto parts store can look it up by year/make/model.
Crush washer (optional) — Some vehicles (especially Hondas) use a new crush washer on the drain plug each time. Costs $0.50.

Step-by-Step

Warm up the engine

Run it for 2-3 minutes. Warm oil flows faster and carries more contaminants out. Don't run it so long that everything is too hot to touch.

Lift and secure the vehicle

Jack up the front of the car and place it on jack stands. Find the correct jack points in your owner's manual — jacking in the wrong spot can bend your rocker panels.

Never work under a car supported only by a jack. Jack stands are non-negotiable. A hydraulic jack can fail without warning.

Drain the old oil

Slide the drain pan under the oil pan. Remove the drain plug with your socket wrench. The oil will shoot out at an angle at first — position the pan accordingly. Let it drain for 10-15 minutes until it slows to a drip.

Tip: Remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine before draining. This breaks the vacuum and lets oil drain faster.

Replace the oil filter

Remove the old filter with your oil filter wrench. Some oil will spill — keep the drain pan underneath. Before installing the new filter, apply a thin film of new oil to the rubber gasket with your finger. This prevents the gasket from tearing and makes removal easier next time. Install hand-tight plus 3/4 turn. Don't over-tighten.

Reinstall the drain plug

Thread it in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Tighten to spec with your socket wrench. Most drain plugs torque to 25-35 ft-lbs. If you have a torque wrench, use it. If not, snug plus a quarter turn.

Fill with new oil

Use your funnel. Pour in the amount specified in your owner's manual. Start with slightly less than the full amount — you can always add more, but removing excess is a pain.

Check for leaks and verify oil level

Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds. The oil pressure light should go off within a few seconds. Shut off the engine, wait 2 minutes, then pull the dipstick. The oil should be between the min and max marks. Check under the car for drips at the drain plug and filter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting the oil filter gasket — If the old gasket sticks to the engine when you remove the filter, you'll have a double-gasket situation that leaks badly. Always check.
Over-tightening the drain plug — This strips the oil pan threads. Aluminum oil pans (common on newer cars) strip easily. Use a torque wrench if you have one.
Wrong oil viscosity — 10W-40 is not a substitute for 0W-20. Check your manual.
Not recycling old oil — Most auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) accept used oil for free. Don't pour it down a drain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DIY oil change cost?

$25-$45 for oil and a filter. The one-time tool investment is about $80-$120. After that, you save $30-$60 per oil change compared to a shop. Over a year (2-3 oil changes), the tools pay for themselves.

How long does it take?

Your first time: 45-60 minutes. After a few times: 20-30 minutes. Most of the time is waiting for oil to drain.

What if I strip the drain plug?

Don't panic. An oversized drain plug or a helicoil repair kit fixes this. Cost is $10-$20 for the part. It's a common fix at any shop if you don't want to do it yourself.

How often should I change my oil?

Follow your owner's manual. Most modern cars with full synthetic oil go 7,500-10,000 miles between changes. The old "every 3,000 miles" rule is outdated for newer vehicles.

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