Do It Yourself

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL
Step-by-Step Oil Change Instructions
There are really two kinds of people, those who change their own motor oil and those who have someone do it for them. Both are fine options. If you have decided to roll up your sleeves, here are some handy tips for changing your oil.
1. Park vehicle on level surface, engage parking brake and turn off engine. If necessary, raise front of vehicle by driving it onto a ramp or by jacking it up and supporting it with jack stands.
CAUTION: NEVER GET UNDER A VEHICLE SUPPORTED ONLY BY A JACK! WE ALSO RECOMMEND WHEEL CHOCKS TO HELP PREVENT WHEELS ON THE GROUND FROM ROLLING.

2. Open hood.
3. Locate engine oil dipstick and remove (helps oil flow when draining).
4. Once vehicle is safely and securely supported, put on safety glasses, crawl under vehicle and locate engine’s oil pan. (See owner’s manual for reference.)

5. Locate oil drain plug, which is a long bolt head at bottom of pan. The drain plug allows the oil to drain out of the pan. (Note: Some vehicles have two drain plugs.)
6. Position a container, such as an approved oil catch pan, under drain plug. Make sure the catch pan is large enough to hold the volume of oil expected to drain out of the engine. Check your owner’s manual for the volume of oil that your car requires.
7. Loosen drain plug using box-end wrench or 6-pt. socket. Carefully remove plug by hand, making sure catch pan is underneath plug hole. Oil will flow rapidly from hole, but allow several minutes for all old oil to drain out. (See vehicle owner’s manual for additional information.) CAUTION: OIL MAY BE HOT!

8. Wipe the oil pan threads and oil drain plug with a rag and visually inspect the condition of the oil pan and oil drain plug threads and gasket. Buy a replacement drain plug if you have any concerns about the condition of the plug. Replace the drain plug gasket if needed (some OEMs recommend this). Once the oil is finished draining, reinstall the oil drain plug and tighten with the correct box-end wrench or 6-pt. socket to the manufacturer-specified torque. (See owner’s manual.)

9. Locate oil filter. If the old and new oil filters are not the same, double-check the application to be sure you have the correct filter. (See vehicle’s owner’s manual for additional information.)

10. Position oil catch pan under oil filter to catch any residual oil remaining inside filter.
11. Loosen oil filter or oil filter cap with oil filter wrench, and allow oil to drain from oil filter.

12. Remove oil filter. Check to make sure filter gasket has come off with the filter. If it's still clinging to the engine mounting plate, remove it and any remaining residue.

13. Place a light coating of new oil on the gasket of the new oil filter so it will install smoothly onto engine. (Note: Do not use grease!) By hand, install new oil filter onto engine by turning in a clockwise direction. Once the oil filter gasket first contacts the mounting plate gasket surface, tighten filter according to directions for your application (usually found on the new oil filter or oil filter box), preferably by hand. Generally, this is three-quarters to one full turn after the filter gasket contacts the engine. (NOTE: Cartridge oil filter replacement procedures may differ. See owner's or service manual for instructions.)
14. Under the hood, remove the oil fill cap and pour in the correct amount of ATROD® motor oil of the correct viscosity with a funnel. (See vehicle’s owner's manual for recommended grade, specification and amount.)

15. Replace oil fill cap.
16. Start engine and run at idle for minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully inspect under vehicle for oil leaks (especially by oil drain plug and oil filter). If leaks are visible, shut off engine immediately and repair leaks.

17. Shut off engine and allow 30 seconds for oil to settle in the engine. Carefully inspect the area beneath the vehicle for oil leaks.

18. Safely lower vehicle to level ground.
 

19. Install and remove oil dipstick and check for proper oil level, adding more oil if necessary. (See vehicle’s owner’s manual for oil capacity and recommended oil level on dipstick.)

20. Repeat oil change with ATROD® motor oil as directed by manufacturer’s guidelines.
These instructions are intended as general guidelines. Please consult your owner’s or service manual for specific instructions on changing the oil and filter on your vehicle. Use extreme caution when lifting or jacking any vehicle.
 
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR OWN TRANSMISSION FLUID
1. Park vehicle on level surface, engage parking brake and start engine. Leave car in neutral or park. Let engine warm up and continue to run throughout operation unless vehicle's owner's manual says otherwise. (Be aware that some automatic transmission fluid levels are checked with the engine off. Check owner's manual.)
2. Locate automatic transmission fluid dipstick, typically near where the transmission or transaxle meets rear of the engine. It looks similar to the oil dipstick.
3. Remove automatic transmission fluid dipstick. Wipe clean, reinsert fully and remove again.
CAUTION: FLUID MAY BE HOT!
4. Observe markings at end of dipstick. Your dipstick might have two markings for "full"—one warm, one cold. If the automatic transmission fluid level does not come up to the "warm" line, you'll need to add automatic transmission fluid.
5. Insert long funnel into automatic transmission fluid dipstick hole. Carefully add automatic transmission fluid in small increments and recheck level each time until fluid level reaches "warm" line.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT ENGINE PARTS!
6. Reinsert automatic transmission fluid dipstick fully. You're done!
DID YOU KNOW?
Your vehicle shouldn't lose automatic transmission fluid in normal operation, so if the level is down there's a good chance there's a leak somewhere. Consult a service professional immediately to have it addressed to avoid possible damage to the transmission. Also, some automatic transmissions do not have dipsticks or may require that a service professional inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Check the vehicle's owner's or service manual.
Note: These instructions are intended as general guidelines. Please consult your owner's or service manual for specific instructions on changing the oil and filter on your vehicle. Use extreme caution when lifting or jacking any vehicle.
 
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR OWN BRAKE FLUID
1. Locate brake master cylinder reservoir. It is usually mounted on or near firewall at rear of engine compartment, almost directly in front of where the brake pedal is mounted on other side of bulkhead. Consult vehicle's owner's manual if you're having trouble identifying it.


2. Check fluid level.
• Newer vehicles: Most newer vehicles have a translucent reservoir with a clearly marked "full" line. If your vehicle has this style reservoir, you can check the fluid level without removing the screw-off cap.
• Older vehicles: Most older (early 1980s and older) vehicles have a metal reservoir with a top held on by a spring-loaded clamp. Wipe the exterior of the top clean to help prevent any debris from entering brake fluid. You'll need to pry the clamp to one side, then lift off the top to inspect the level. The "full" line should be clearly marked.


3. If level is low, add brake fluid to "full" line.
IMPORTANT: A drop in brake fluid typically indicates that your brake pads have worn to the point of needing maintenance. Be sure to have your brakes checked by a professional.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE BRAKE FLUID OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIC TYPE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Do not overfill. If your vehicle has a dual-chamber reservoir, fill both chambers to "full" line. If reservoir is extremely low or empty, it may not be safe to drive your vehicle. Consult an ASE-certified brake technician immediately.


4. Replace cap/top. You're done!
WARNING: BRAKE FLUID MAY BE EXTREMELY TOXIC. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING. DO NOT GET IN EYES. DO NOT SPILL ON PAINT.

DID YOU KNOW?
Your vehicle shouldn't lose brake fluid in normal operation. The level drops only slightly with wear of brakes. So if the level is down there's a chance there's a leak somewhere. Consult a service professional immediately to have it addressed and avoid possible dangerous reduction in brake performance. Also, your vehicle takes a specific type of brake fluid; typically (but not always), DOT3 or DOT4. In newer vehicles, it will often say right on the brake fluid reservoir cap. If not, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE BRAKE FLUID OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIC TYPE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR VEHICLE.


Note: These instructions are intended as general guidelines. Please consult your owner's or service manual for specific instructions on changing the oil and filter on your vehicle. Use extreme caution when lifting or jacking any vehicle.