Oil changes are one of the simplest and easiest parts of maintaining your vehicle, especially when you bring your Toyota to a trusted service center in the Burleson, Alvarado, and Cleburne area. That said, some people like tinkering and working on their own vehicles when possible, as it can save money. DIY oil changes are one of the top services people like to perform at home, so it raises the question: Should I do my own oil change?
While we can’t answer that question for you, since you’d have to decide the value of doing your own car maintenance, we can go over what to expect when performing a DIY oil change or choosing the dealership oil change route. Read on to learn the ins and outs of a DIY oil change and decide if it’s better to tackle it on your own or to bring your vehicle to your local Toyota service center.
DIY Oil Change
In order to perform a DIY oil change, you’re going to need to get some specific tools and get familiar with your vehicle. The tools you’ll likely need include:
- Replacement Oil (check your manual to see which oil you should use)
- A lift or a jack (it cannot be a car jack, otherwise known as a scissor jack)
- An oil drip pan
- An oil filter
- A plastic clip remover
- A flashlight or a source of light
- Adjustable wrenches and sockets
- Gloves
- Brake cleaner
- A creeper (a flatbed rolling trolley to lie on to get under the car)
Once all of this is squared away, make sure you have a flat area to work, raise your vehicle, and you can start on your DIY oil change.
Once the vehicle is raised, have all of your tools within reach. You’ll first remove any trays under the vehicle and check for leaks. Unplug the drain for the oil to release, but make sure you have your drip pan underneath before you do so. If any leaks are found during this process, stop immediately and bring your vehicle to a service center.
Once the oil stops draining, take out the oil filter and allow that to drain. Put the new oil filter in and seal it with the required gasket (assuming it’s in good condition). After that, replace the drain plug and fill up your vehicle with the new (recommended) oil and let the car run for 10 minutes so it can settle and spread throughout the system. Once all that’s done, clean up and you’re good to go!
Dealership Oil Change
If all of that sounds like a lot of time and money spent on new tools and toys, a dealership oil change is as easy as scheduling service, bringing your vehicle in, and waiting for the job to be done by the technician. If you have ToyotaCare on your newer vehicle, oil changes are covered under the maintenance plan. If you don’t have ToyotaCare, don’t worry. We have plenty of service specials, including oil changes, to help you keep more money in your wallet while maintaining your Toyota.
Schedule Toyota Maintenance in Burleson Today
Have you ignored your Toyota’s oil change for a bit too long? Want to make sure that your vehicle keeps running for years? Bring your vehicle to Family Toyota of Burleson, and we’ll make sure your Toyota runs smoothly for many more trips. Contact us today to schedule service or to have your Toyota inspected.
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