The top oil change tools you’ll need

Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather to change your oil: not only will you avoid freezing your fingers, but your engine will run more efficiently as it keeps you warm all winter long.

Doing your own oil change is easy, so long as you’re prepared and have the right oil change tools on hand. In this blog post, we’ll cover what those tools are and why they’re important. You can read about how to change your oil here.

Personal protective equipment

First and foremost, ensure your own safety and comfort. Nitrile disposable gloves are a minimum must. They’ll keep your hands clean and protected.

Also, be sure to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty – removing engine oil from clothing is nearly impossible, and the oil from your clothes may spread to other clothes in the laundry.

You may also want to wear protective glasses in case oil splashes in your face.

Prepare your work area

Oil changes can be messy. Laying down a tarp or two can help keep your work area clean. Make sure nothing flammable is near your vehicle or tools.

Park your vehicle on a flat surface, like your garage (with the door open). Your oil won’t drain or fill properly if your vehicle is on a slant, e.g. your driveway. Place wheel chocks behind each wheel so your vehicle stays put. Then, raise the vehicle using a jack and jack stands or by driving the vehicle onto ramps.

Have a garbage bag ready for disposing of any dirty cloths and rags, and do everything possible to prevent any spills or spraying of the surrounding area.

Last, pull out your bed creeper to make it easy to get underneath your car.

Oil change tools

Once you have the proper clothing on and have prepped your area, assemble your oil change tools.

Safety first

As you change your oil, keep a few safety rules in mind:

First, your oil may be hot from warming up the engine before you begin your oil change. Please proceed cautiously.

Second, engine oil is a toxic substance. Do not pour used engine oil down your drain or the sewer outside your home. City water services are not equipped to filter it from public water supplies, and sewers are for storm water only: they empty directly into a body of water without any filtering.

Instead, take your used oil to your local dump to be disposed of safely. We know this can feel like a hassle, but it protects the environment and keeps the oil out of drinking water.

Third, ensure your surrounding area is safe for you. Do not do an oil change on the road or during a storm, for example. Also, ensure proper ventilation so you don’t inhale any fumes.

Last, clear the area of all tools, tarps, etc., before lowering your vehicle. You don’t want to risk crushing anything or damaging your tires.

Have questions?

If you’re unsure about how to do an oil change, or just want to ask a few questions before you start, our friendly staff at your local NAPA Auto Parts store will be happy to help!

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