Have you ever been sitting down enjoying your favorite movie and your dad asks the age old question, “Have you checked your oil recently?”  Well, no you probably haven’t, and a safe assumption would be you haven’t changed your oil either. Maintenance is key on any automobile. Every vehicle is different.  Different tools, different brands or weights of oil, and different oil filters are all needed.

To show the difference, on a Chevy Malibu you will need: oil filter, oil filter wrench, five quarts of 5w-30 motor oil, drain pan, funnel, and a wrench to loosen the drain plug.

On a Dodge Cummins you will need: oil filter, oil filter wrench, three gallons of 15w-40 motor oil, drain pan, funnel, wrench for the drain plug, and a screwdriver.

With every vehicle you should always take proper safety precautions. Taking the keys out of the ignition is important.  For example, you drain your oil and go off and do something else. If you start your vehicle without oil in the engine, kiss it goodbye.

To change the oil on specifically, a 2003 Dodge Cummins, do the following steps:

1. Take the keys out of the ignition.
2. Use your wrench to loosen and take out the drain plug on the oil pan.
3. Use a flat screwdriver to take the hose clamps off the air intake tube from the air filter box to the turbo.  Getting this out of your way will give you much more room.
4. Take your old oil filter off with an oil filter wrench.
5. Let the oil drain completely
6. Put the drain plug back in the pan.
7. Put your new oil filter on and hand tighten it
8. Use your funnel and add 2 gallons directly in the engine.
9. Once you get closer to three gallons, continually check the dipstick to make sure not to under/over add oil.
10. Check for leaks, start it up, and enjoy!