Oil Change Dos & Don’ts

Mark Simpson
Duration: 13 mins if all goes well.Changing the motor oil on a classic car is a fundamental maintenance task that helps ensure long engine life and performance. Classic cars may have different engine designs compared to modern vehicles, so care must be taken with proper tools, correct oil type, and vintage-specific parts. We join Mark Simpson in the shop to change the oil on a ’57 DeSoto, and of course sometimes things don’t always go as planned. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

Tools & Materials Needed:

- Jack and jack stands or ramps (if clearance is low)
- Oil drain pan
- Wrench or socket set
- Oil filter wrench
- Funnel
- Rags or paper towels or maybe some clean bath towels from the closet just in case.
- Fresh Motor Oil (Consult your manual for type and capacity)
- New oil filter (specific to your car)
- Rubber gloves (recommended)
- Safety glasses

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Warm Up the Engine
- Run the engine for 5–10 minutes. Warm oil drains more thoroughly.
- Turn off the engine and ensure the car is on a flat surface or maybe find the flat surface first.

2. Raise the Vehicle (if needed)
- Use a jack and secure with jack stands or drive up on ramps.
- Ensure it's stable before working underneath.
- Place your cell phone nearby just in case you have to call someone to get your jack stands back.

3. Drain the Old Oil
- Place the drain pan under the oil pan’s drain plug.
- Use a wrench to carefully remove the plug or vice grips if the plug is rounded off from last time.
- jerk your hand out of the way before that hot oil burns your fingers.
- saying bad words over burnt fingers doesn't make the oil drain any quicker.
- Let the oil drain fully (this may take one or two beers unless there's a game on TV).
- Inspect the drain plug gasket—replace if damaged or worn.
- Dig the drain plug out from the bottom of the oil pan with one of your wife's best kitchen tools.
- Spray her kitchen tool with brake cleaner to get the oil off and maybe wipe it dry so her next tossed salad doesn't taste completely like motor oil.
- Deny everything if she asks like she did last time when you changed the oil.

4. Remove the Oil Filter
- Use an oil filter wrench if you tightened the s**t out of the thing last time.
- Use a hammer to pound your wife's best pair of sewing scissors into the side of the filter for extra leverage to unscrew it.
- Be careful—some oil may spill when you drop the hot oil filter on the garage floor.
- Cover the oil spill with a clean rag so your wife won't track as much oil into the house if you forget to wipe it up.
- Clean the filter mounting surface with a rag unless you used the last clean rag to hide the oil spill.
- inspect closely to ensure the old rubber gasket did not remain stuck to the engine block.

5. Install the New Filter
- Apply a thin coat of fresh oil to the rubber gasket on the new filter.
- Hand-tighten the new filter; do not over-tighten like you did last time.
- unscrew the oil filter to remove the old rubber gasket that stuck to the engine block.
- Walk down to the auto parts store to get another oil filter since your wife's sewing scissors left
another hole in the new filter when you had to unscrew it to remove the old rubber gasket.
- Don't forget where you put her scissors in case you need to change oil again in 6 months or so.
- Walk back to the auto parts store to get a replacement brake clean for the empty one so you can brake clean the scissors again.

6. Replace the Drain Plug
-Once all the oil has drained, reinstall and tighten the drain plug securely but not excessively

7. Add New Oil
- Open the oil filler cap on the engine.
- Insert a funnel and pour in the recommended amount and type of oil.
- Re-tighten the drain plug if you forgot that it fell out into the drain pan........if you just now saw new oil on the garage floor.
- Replace the cap.

8. Check the Oil Level
- Start the engine and let it run for 1–2 minutes.
- Turn off the engine and wait a minute.
- Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with one of the clean bath towels from step 1.reinsert it, and check the level.
- Add oil if necessary.

9. Check for Leaks
- Inspect around the oil filter and drain plug for any signs of leaking.
- If you forgot to remove the old gasket again, you may have to walk down to the autoparts store again.
- Look around for where you put her scissors if you need to remove the oil filter again.

10. Dispose of Old Oil Properly
- Take the used oil and filter to a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts oil waste.

Classic Car Considerations:

- Older engines may benefit from high-zinc oil (like ZDDP additives) to protect flat-tappet cams.
- Gaskets and threads on classic engines can be delicate—avoid overtightening.
- Some classics may use copper washers on the drain plug; inspect and replace if crushed or damaged.
- Change the oil every 3,000 miles or annually if the car isn’t driven much.

Changing your motor oil regularly is the one way to guarantee your engine delivers years of great service
and peace of mind in protecting your classic car investment.