How to Change Oil in a Car Safely

Changing your car's oil regularly is important to keep your car in good shape. Doing this at home can also save you money. When performing an oil change, safety is key. Follow these tips to be sure you stay safe while changing your car's oil.

Instructions

1

Choose a flat spot to perform your oil change. Because you will be raising the vehicle up with a jack, you want to be sure the car is sitting on a level area.

2

Keep the area clean and free of dirt. Any oil or debris on the ground in the area where you will be working can cause you to slip and fall.

3

Invest in a good pair of jack stands. Even though you will be using a jack, you should always reinforce the vehicle with jack stands. Concrete blocks are usually not the best choice since they can break and cause the car to fall.

4

Brace the rear tires of the car with wheel blocks to be sure the car does not roll back while you are working on it. For an added safety measure, set the emergency brake inside your vehicle.

5

Recruit a friend to monitor your safety while you are performing the oil change. It's always a good idea to have someone else around when working beneath a vehicle in the event that the vehicle should fall. A friend can also be sure no one bumps the vehicle while you are working on it.