How to Change Your Own Oil: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

An oil change at a shop typically costs $60-120 in Canada depending on oil type and your truck’s capacity. Doing it yourself costs roughly $40-60 in parts and takes about 30-45 minutes once you’ve done it a couple of times. Here’s the complete process from Apex Auto Spare Parts.

What You’ll Need

• New oil — correct viscosity and quantity for your engine (check your manual for exact capacity)
• New oil filter — matched to your engine
• New drain plug gasket/crush washer
• Socket wrench and the correct size socket for your drain plug
• Oil filter wrench (size depends on filter type)
• Oil drain pan (at least 8L capacity)
• Funnel
• Jack and jack stands, or ramps (if drain plug access requires raising the vehicle)
• Gloves and rags

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

• Park on level ground
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes to warm the oil slightly — this helps it drain faster and more completely. Do NOT do this if the oil is already hot from driving — wait until it’s warm, not scalding
• Turn off the engine and engage the parking brake
• If needed, raise the front of the vehicle using ramps or jack + jack stands — NEVER work under a vehicle supported only by a jack

Step 2: Drain the Old Oil

• Locate the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan
• Position the drain pan underneath, slightly toward the rear (oil flows out at an angle)
• Loosen the drain plug with a socket wrench, then remove it by hand — be ready for oil to flow as soon as it’s loose
• Allow oil to fully drain — this typically takes 5-10 minutes

Step 3: Replace the Drain Plug

• Once draining stops, clean the drain plug and the pan’s threaded hole
• Install a NEW gasket/crush washer on the drain plug — reusing the old one risks a slow leak
• Thread the plug in by hand, then tighten with a wrench to the torque spec in your manual (overtightening can strip the pan threads — a costly repair)

Step 4: Replace the Oil Filter

• Locate the oil filter — position varies by engine, often accessible from above or below
• Place the drain pan under the filter — it will release residual oil when removed
• Remove the old filter with a filter wrench (turn counterclockwise)
• Apply a thin layer of fresh oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket
• Install the new filter by hand, tightening 3/4 to 1 turn after the gasket makes contact — do not over-tighten

Step 5: Add New Oil

• Locate the oil fill cap on top of the engine (marked with an oil can symbol)
• Using a funnel, add oil slightly less than the full capacity specified in your manual
• Replace the fill cap

Step 6: Check and Verify

• Start the engine and let it run for about 30 seconds — check for the oil pressure warning light to turn off
• Check underneath for any leaks at the drain plug and filter
• Turn off the engine, wait 2-3 minutes for oil to settle, then check the dipstick
• Add the remaining oil gradually if the level is below the full mark — don’t overfill

Step 7: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

Many trucks require a manual reset procedure (often via dashboard buttons) or an OBD-II tool to reset the oil life percentage back to 100%. Without this, your dashboard may continue counting down from before the change, leading to premature ‘Change Oil Soon’ messages.

Step 8: Dispose of Old Oil Properly

• Pour old oil into a sealed container (many oil jugs work well for this)
• Take used oil AND the old filter to any auto parts store, municipal recycling depot, or service station that accepts used oil — most Canadian municipalities have free used-oil recycling programs
• Never pour used oil down a drain or onto the ground — it’s a serious environmental contaminant

Frequently Asked Questions