As my siblings want to take my car out of town tomorrow, I was forced to FINALLY change my oil. It’s been on my to-do list for an eon, but has not been accomplished, because, well…I’ve never changed my oil before.
Of course, I could take it to Wal-mart to have it done, as I always have in the past. But Wal-mart’s oil changes have become remarkably expensive; and it seems to me that every woman should know how to change her own oil.
So, sometime near the beginning of the summer, I bought myself five quarts of oil and a new oil filter–and I’ve been faithfully writing “change oil” on my weekly to-do list every week since. But I haven’t gotten it done.
After all, if you’ve never changed your own oil before, it’s a daunting process. You have to have someone else to help you (or else remember enough to have a decent grasp on what you’re doing it advance.) Then, if you’re like me, you have to find a way to get all the appropriate tools (my answer? go to my parents’ house.) And there’s the “changing into grubbies” (which I find particularly difficult because I really don’t own anything grubby–honest!)
But I couldn’t let the kiddos take my car to South Dakota for their fancy Christian rock festival when the oil hadn’t been changed in who knows how long. (I haven’t changed it since I bought the car in …was it April?) So, tonight was it. It had to be.
Tonight, after all this long lead-up time, I…
- dressed in my painting pants and a t-shirt I rarely wear (sorry Jeremy!)
- drove my car up onto what I’m choosing to call stilts
- covered my backside with water (it rained today) while trying to locate my oil filter and drain nut.
- borrowed a wrench and some “rags” (aka old undershirts) from my dad
- almost gave myself a hernia trying to loosen the drain nut. (That thing was on TIGHT!)
- watched in wonder as an arc of disgustingly dirty oil spurted from my car
- fumbled with the oil filter wrench a half a dozen times before I got the filter loosened
- dropped the oil filter down my one arm onto the pavement (So sorry for that spill, Dad!)
- fumbled with the oil filter wrench again while replacing the filter
- refilled the oil
It took almost an hour (yeah, I’m a slow learner) and caused my sister’s rolls to raise too high–and got me just a WEE bit messy–but I’ve done it. I’ve changed my oil. I feel like a truly empowered female.
Wow, I take my hat off to you! You’ve accomplished something I’ve never even attempted. Reading your description and seeing your pictures doesn’t even make me WANT to attempt it!! :) Who was your photographer, by the way? And was this person helpful in any way, or just there to take pictures and be amused at your expense? :)
My sister, Anna, was my photographer; and she did help out. Since she had changed her own oil on previous occasions, she knew the ropes somewhat and was able to verbally direct me (in addition to laughing at me covered in oil!)