Car maintenance 101

So I had it on my list to "learn to change the oil and air filter in my car". Well, I did that, and I actually learned quite a bit more. My friend, Trudi, (mentioned in previous posts- she's just super awesome and great at helping me finish my goals) and her family change their own oil, so when I told her it was on my list she said, "Oh that's no problem! I can show you that!". Though Trudi can change her own oil she had her dad, Kenneth (I don't call him that but I don't know if I should put first and last names on here...just in case) teach me (for the most part). He's super awesome, was a great teacher. And may I just say, I felt like he was kinda like my own dad teaching me this- just very patient and making sure I understood without being condescended when I really didn't get it quickly. I appreciated him so much, and I owe him and Trudi something big for sure!

Changing the oil in your car is honestly not that complicated or time consuming. I don't have all the fancy tools to do it as quickly and cleanly as they do it, but they did invite me to come over and do it now whenever I want to change it. Trudi had told me of a sale going on for oil and an oil filter (side note- I didn't know that there was an oil filter, and that you needed to change it until Trudi told me, which is sad, but why I'm trying to learn these things...and I didn't know what type of oil my car needs but now I do- 3 1/2quarts of 5W20 and no, Kenneth that's not too low of a number and really is the amount of oil I need) so with that deal, I can get an oil change for less than $20, and it would take me less than 30 minutes (now that I know what to do). Totally worth it! I may need a stronger person to get the oil pan lug nut off (though Kenneth later showed me a trick for that if needed) but other than that, I think I could do it- no problems!
Plus an air filter takes about 2 minutes to replace and you can buy one for about $5-$10. I've been charged over $20 for an air filter change before. NO LONGER! I will always change my air filter from now on! So much cheaper and not a hassle or big deal at all.

So here are some things I learned/ little tricks of the trade did Kenneth shared with me. I'm blogging these not only for those who may not know but also to remember myself =)

~If you put a little old oil on the gasket of the new oil filter, it will grip better and not completely fuse/ lock into the car so it comes off in the future more smoothly
~Oil tends to "project" quickly at first so you have to place your drain pan accordingly
~Lower the car off the jack while the oil is draining so it drains more quickly
~I learned that they make special oil filter wrenches and then learned how to use it
~Take the oil pan lug nut off with your fingers reaching just at the top of it so oil doesn't run down your arm
~I learned to use a socket wrench...kinda annoying that it breaks the "righty tighty lefty loosey rule but it's a quirk I now am aware of
~If you can see through you air filter it's doesn't necessarily need to be changed and you can try vacuuming them as well. The dirt may not be visible from the top of the air filter (since it's sucked up from underneath it) so you really should remove it and check it out.
Kenneth pointed out how to check all my fluids. I knew where my windshield wiper fluid needed to be put and do that on my own,  and I did know how to check the oil, but now I know I know how to check my power steering, brake fluid, and antifreeze as well!

And finally- something that I have never even heard of (though I don't know if that's saying much in this situation) is that you should put water in your battery! I've never been told this! I'm also going to start checking this periodically. Super easy and something that prolongs battery life. Sheesh!

Thank you Kenneth, Trudster and my roommate, Kristina (who came along to learn as well and help take pictures). I'm grateful to be a little more self reliant and wiser =)
P.S. No I'm not a wussy girl who didn't want to get oil on her. I came prepared to do so, but Kenneth uses gloves for things and offered me some, so hey, I used them.