Top 10 Tools for Oil Change for Cars – DIY Must-Haves

Changing the engine oil in your vehicle routinely will help keep your engine safe and running smoothly. Without keeping clean oil in your car, your engine can start to overheat or wear down until it stops working completely.

You can save a lot of money from changing your own oil, and it isn’t hard to do as long as you have all of the right equipment. Here are ten important tools to have ready when going to change your car’s oil.

1. Jacks

You can easily squeeze under some vehicles to change the oil; however, this isn’t an option for everyone, nor is it comfortable.

Purchasing a sturdy, quality, and heavy-duty jack is essential for all types of auto bodywork, not just fresh oil changes. So having one around will be ideal for everyone.

To use the jack, you simply slide it under the vehicle and put it into place. Always position the jack under a durable part of the vehicle, not the bumper or pushing against something important like the muffler or gas tank.

Pump the jack handle up and down, and the base will rise, lifting the car in the air as it goes.

A good jack can help the oil changing process go much quicker than without.

2. Jack Stands

Jack stands support the weight of a vehicle once it is in the air. You don’t necessarily need these. Many people just use the jack, but they are ideal for the safety of you and your vehicle.

Jack stands are placed under the vehicle once it is up in the air. You set them on the ground under sturdy parts of the vehicle’s frame, lower the jack until it rests on the stands, then remove the jack.

These are beneficial to you and your vehicle for two reasons. One, it holds your vehicle up with an even amount of pressure distributed to two sides, making it more sturdy. Two, it provides safety in case the hydraulics on the jack give, and the car starts to drop.

Two stands should be plenty unless you own an auto body shop or do vehicle repair as a hobby. You only have to lift one end to change the oil, so there is no need to buy more than one.

You can get Jack stands that hold different weights at different heights. Make sure you know the information on your vehicle before you purchase any products.

3. Safety Glasses

Safety glasses are something anyone working underneath vehicles has to have on. There is a lot of rust, dust, oil,, that can fall from the undercarriage, that if it enters your eyes, can cause damage and even blindness.

When looking for safety glasses, make sure they are shatterproof and fit snugly around your face. It will be hard to find them or fix them underneath a vehicle if they fall off.

To quickly find a good pair of safety glasses, purchase a pair labeled Z87; this ensures they provide all the features necessary to protect your eyesight. These glasses are fairly inexpensive and worth every penny.

4. Lighting

Proper lighting is not something people usually consider when changing their oil, but it is important, especially when working in a garage or outside when the lighting isn’t the best.

Many different automotive lights on the market today provide the necessary visual assistance needed when you are under your car.

Handheld swivel hook lights work the best when changing the oil or working on your truck for any other reason. These lights are versatile, small, and can go from behind held to handing on just about anything under the vehicle while you get the job done.

5. Funnel

You use a funnel to empty the old dirty oil from the oil tank before putting in the new oil.

Funnels are the least expensive tool you need for this job unless you want something that is mess-free or comes with a pump.

You can also purchase a portable oil drain pan and funnel combo that stands up under the oil tank, catches the oil, and collects it into a three or 5-gallon jug underneath.

6. Oil Drain Pan

An oil drain pan catches the oil you’re funneling from the vehicle. These are very important because it is illegal and dangerous for oil to empty into the soil.

Oil pans are also inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere. Most of them are big enough to store multiple changes and should have a leak-proof seal to prevent leaks, whether upright or on its side.

Tip: You can google search for oil haulers in your area, or most local automotive stores will take your oils as well.

7. Ratcheting Wrenches

A ratcheting wrench will help you tremendously when changing your oil. You will need to use this tool to tighten and loosen the drain plug.

Here is another tool ideal for having around the house as they are handy for many jobs.

A heavy-duty, well-built set shouldn’t cost you more than $30 or so.

8. Oil filter

The oil filter removes contaminants from your oil, keeping your vehicle running smooth.

The oil filter’s main job is to keep your engine clean. Without changing this filter, you could damage the engine.

New oil filters are easy to purchase from automotive stores and even some department stores like Walmart.

Each vehicle takes a specific oil filter depending on your vehicle’s make and model.

9. Oil Filter wrench

Oil filter wrenches grasp oil filters easily, helping you remove them when they are overtightened or stuck.

Some people do not use this optional tool, but it will make the job much easier if you do.

10. Heavy Duty Gloves

Keeping your hands clean and slip-free is ideal when working on a vehicle. Purchasing some heavy-duty gloves will help you easily grip the tools and vehicle parts without slipping and sliding in oil.

There are plenty of heavy-duty glove options available. Make sure you are getting ones made for industrial purposes, oil-resistant, and chemical resistant.

Note: car oil is known for causing skin irritation, rashes, anemia, tremors, headaches, and cancer. Taking precautions is very important.

Oil Changing Tips

Before we send you on your way, there are a few tips we would like to give to ensure you have all the right information when changing your oil.

Check the vehicle’s manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure you are using the correct oil and filter.
Double-check your oil supports the weight of your vehicle
Never change your oil right after driving your vehicle; you can get burned. Wait for at least 30-min after driving.
Keep track of your oil changes and stay on a schedule for the best possible performance of your vehicle.