Friday, March 25, 2016

Oil Change - 2003 Toyota Corolla LE

Let's get started! 

Changing oil is not a difficult job, specially on a Corolla (or majority of small sedans). Just like to share with you how I do it, hope that will help you in someway. 

I used to jack up the car using floor jack, but I found using a ramp is so much more easier. I bought this 16,000 lbs capacity Rhino Gear Ramps to do oil changes. They comes in pair. There is also 12,000 lbs capacity option, and it is cheaper, but I opted for higher capacity so I can use on other cars, even trucks. Who knows, maybe my next car will be a SUV! 

Anyhow, find a level surface, line up the ramps with your font wheels, and just drive the car up the ramp. Do it SLOWLY!!!  

Rhino Gear Rhino Ramps for oil change toyota corolla

My first try. As you see the wheel didn't quite line up, or the way I positioned the ramp is not quite good so 1/4 of the tire is hanging out. This is not a good example. 

Rhino Gear Rhino Ramps Not Good Example

Redo the drive up. This time it's much better. 

Rhino Gear Rhino Ramps Much Better

Put the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. These wheel chocks also comes in pair. 

FloTool Heavy Duty Wheel Chock on Rear Wheel of Toyota Corolla

Gear in "Park", and pull the handbrake. Now the car should be secure and is not going anywhere. Shut off the engine. 

Toyota Corolla hand brake and parking gear

Take a look at this! Plenty of room underneath the car to do the oil change, and many other repairs! 

Toyota Corolla on Rhino Gear Ramp

I had oil change at a shop last time. They used cheap looking regular oil filter. Which is fine and gets the job done, but I want to use better parts for my car when I am doing the job. 

Toyota Corolla Oil Filter and Oil Drain Plug

Socket wrench is necessary to remove the oil drain plug. Also, try to get your self one of those oil resistant latex glove. Keep your hands clean, also protect your skin. 

Toyota Corolla oil drain plug gear socket wrench and disposable glove

Unscrew the oil drain plug. This is pretty standard. Your owner's manual should clearly indicate where the plug is. You can also find tons of related videos on Youtube. 

socket wrench for oil change

Old oil drain plug (left) vs New (right). I said the new one looks pretty GOOD! 
Look for size M12 - 1.25 for Toyota Corolla. Check my previous post, I took a nice picture of the oil drain plug package. 

2003 Toyota Corolla Oil Drain Plug (Old vs New)

This cap-type oil filter wrench is very helpful. It makes removing used filter much easier.  

oil cap to remove old filter

Here is the new, FRAM oil filter designed for high mileage vehicles like my corolla. Looks much better than the old cheap regular white filter. 

FARM oil filter for high mileage cars

Put some new oil on the edge (O-ring) of the new filter to help make it a tight fit.  

FARM oil filter for Toyota Corolla

Hand screw the oil filter in place is good enough. No need to make it tight as hell. 

FARM oil fiter for Toyota Corolla

Now start pouring in oil. 

Mobil Full Synthetic 5W-30 Oil for Toyota Corolla

After you poured about 3 and half bottles of oil, you can slow down and start checking the dip stick. Make sure you don't add too much oil, which can hurt the engine. 

2003 Toyota Corolla oil dip stick

Clean and wipe the area you worked on. 

2003 Corolla oil change complete

Done! Start the engine and let it run a bit. Make sure there is no leak anywhere. 

Toyota Corolla oild change finish

You can stack these ramps together to save space. Love these ramps. Make the job much easier! 

Rhino Gear Rhino Ramp

2 comments:

  1. Thanks For Sharing Great Blog Post, At Oil Changers® we provide a hassle free oil change completed in 9 minutes or less with no appointment necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent tutorial. Thank you! I have an '06 Corolla S. :)

    ReplyDelete