Oil change certified Toyota

While we’re all looking to save a few bucks on our car costs at the pump, some savvy folks are pocketing cash by doing some basic auto maintenance on their certified Toyotas themselves instead of going to a service station. An oil change is one of the simplest auto upkeep tasks you can perform, and we can give you the breakdown on how to do it.

To change your oil, you’ll need a socket wrench, an oil pan, and a new filter of the right size for your make of certified Toyota. Don’t forget the pan! Nothing’s worse than unscrewing the cap on your oil and finding out you left the pan just out of reach.

1. Open the oil filler cap on top of your engine for easier drainage underneath.
2. Loosen the drain plug using a socket wrench counterclockwise and let drain into the oil pan.
3. Replace the drain plug!
4. Locate your filter assembly – a car manual is very useful in finding it.
5. Remove the filter by hand or by oil filter wrench. Use a pan to catch oil drips.
6. Install new filter, lubricating the gasket with a bit of fresh oil. Follow instructions on the filter’s package.
7. Replace the drain plug on the oil pan.
8. Add new oil using the fill hole on top of the engine. Replace the fill cap.
9. Check under the car to make sure there are no drips.

If you’re having trouble with your oil change, take it down to your local Kirkwood Toyota dealer service station and ask them to give you a hand. They can usually give you a few tips and tricks of their own to make sure your oil change always goes smoothly.