With the right tools, changing your oil yourself is a breeze. These seven tools will make your oil change go smoothly.
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7 DIY Oil Change Tools You’ll Need
Updated on Jun. 05, 2024
Changing your vehicle’s oil is a straightforward and money-saving task any DIYer can do. However, in order to perform an oil change effectively, safely, and without creating a mess in the garage, you should be equipped with these seven essential oil change tools.
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Car Jack
Your car may already have a jack with the spare tire. It’s only meant for changing a tire, not elevating the car to work on the engine. It’s better to have a floor jack for lifting the car high enough for you to get underneath while changing the oil.
Floor jacks with wheels for easy maneuverability and a hydraulic hand pump are convenient and most common. This BlackhawkService Jack can lift 3-1/2 tons up to 22 inches off the ground. It does, however, weigh 85 pounds, not super light to pull around.
Lighter on the arms and the wallet is the Pro-Lift Hydraulic Trolley Jack. It weighs 18 pounds and can lift 1-1/2 tons up to 12 inches.
Choose a floor jack with a lifting capacity greater than your automobile’s Gross Vehicle Weight, and whose maximum lifting height is at least as high as the service jack in your trunk.
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Jack Stands
Once you’ve lifted your car with the car jack, you’ll need jack stands to safely keep it there for the duration of the oil change. Aluminum and steel jack stands are both fine, despite aluminum’s bad rap for not being as strong.
Steel jack stands are less expensive than aluminum but a little heavier. These Pro-Lift Double Pin Jack Stands weigh about 6-1/2-lbs. each and together will hold three tons.
For an aluminum set, the Torin Big Red Lightweight Jack Stands also hold three tons and weigh about 10 pounds combined. The Torin jack stands go up to 15-5/8-in. high, while the Pro-Lift raises to 16-3/4-inches.
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Oil Collection Container
Choosing an oil collection container that’s also a portable jug makes disposing of the used oil much easier. This way there’s no messy transferring between containers.
The FloTool 16-Quart Drain Container can handle multiple oil changes before it needs to be emptied. It’s leak-proof whether stored upright or flat, and its integrated handle makes it easy to carry when full.
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Metal Drip Pan
Even with a sturdy collection container, it doesn’t hurt to slide a big metal drip pan underneath to protect your driveway or garage floor from drops of oil.
This Lumax Galvanized Drip Pan is 47-in. x 25-in. with a 1/2-in. lip around the edge to protect a wide surface area. This pan is a lot easier to clean than concrete or asphalt.
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Funnel
A steady funnel will prevent spills when it’s time to add fresh motor oil to your engine.
Grab this FloTool QuickFill Funnel for a budget-friendly pick, but you’ll need to keep one hand on it while you pour. Or you go for a funnel kit with adapters for all your car fluids, like this Lisle Spill-Free Funnel. The various adapters help the funnel stand up hands-free when you’re adding engine oil, coolant or transmission fluid.
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Portable Shop Light
Even on the sunniest days, a flashlight can help you find your oil plug, car jack notches, jacking plate, or even your oil filter if it’s buried beneath other parts. This 1,200-lumen GearIt LED Work Light can hang on a hook or mount to your car with a magnet, or you can go hand-held. It comes with a 20-foot extension cord.
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Wrench
You’ll need a box wrench or socket wrench to loosen the drain plug. Once you do, you can probably finish the job by hand. The type and size of wrench you’ll need depends on your car. Check your owner’s manual for specs.
A good set of combination wrenches with a box and a socket end is a worthwhile investment for any garage. Craftsman makes an 11-piece combination wrench set in both metric and inch-based measurements.
All prices and links were current as of publication.
