Reddit reviews Hopkins FloTool 42003MI 16-Quart Drain Container

• Screwdrivers
  
  
• Needle nose pliers
  
  
• Sockets
  
  
• Electric Drill
  
  
• Putty knife and spackle
  
  
• Level
  
  
• Hammer
  
  
• Work gloves
  
  
• Stud finder
  
  
• Tape Measure
  
  
• A good, small flashlight--keep one in the car and one in the home
  
  
• A toolbox to store it all
  
  
  Specifically for my truck I have:
  
  a flexing spark plug socket like this one and spark plug pullers
  
  An OBD II Scanner
  
  Auto jack(s)
  
  An oil pan and an oil filter wrench or other tool that makes the filter easier to remove
  
  And, of course, jumper cables, a poncho or two, some spare water bottles and all that good stuff that stays in the truck too.
  
  
  Edit: Honestly, this is a great place to start--Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit
  
  

A couple of tips from someone who likes to change their own oil and has made some mistakes along the way:

• Items needed: a funnel, oil, oil filter, paper towels, latex gloves, oil filter wrench, oil drain pan, socket wrench with correct socket size, torque wrench (if you are anal like me), oil drain plug washer, cardboard, good tunes, cold beer.
  
  
• Not all oil drain pans are created equal. Something like [this] (https://www.amazon.com/FloTool-42003MI-Drain-Container-quart/dp/B0171QLC4S/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1503853275&sr=1-7&keywords=oil+drain+pan) where it can be sealed and contain the oil is really nice and helps prevents messes.
  
  
• Cardboard is your friend. A large piece of cardboard makes a great thing to lie on while you are under the car if you don't have a creep. Putting a large piece of cardboard under the oil drain pan is also useful for catching splatter, keeping your driveway clean.
  
  
• As soon as you remove the oil drain plug the oil will shoot out pretty far but then tapper off as it drains out, so be ready for both situations (obvious, but just trying to be helpful)
  
  
• If you don't want oil all over your hands, 1) wear latex gloves of some kind, and 2) hold a wad of paper towels on the oil drain plug as you are just about to remove it. This goes without saying, but you want to wear clothes you don't care about as well.
  
  
• Removing the oil filter can be tricky. Some people stab them with screw drivers and use that as leverage to unscrew them. This can lead to a huge mess when the screw driver just tears through the oil filter and now things are really stuck. An oil filter wrench is more useful and can be a worthwhile investment (On the other hand, don't over tighten the oil filter when putting it back on. I have never had to use a wrench if I have done the previous oil change).
  
  
• Remember to put some oil in the oil filter/rubber seal of the oil filter prior to installation.
  
  
• Remember to reinstall your oil drain plug and oil filter prior to adding fresh oil (DUH! but hey, anyone can make mistakes especially if you are new to something).
  
  
• When adding oil, it is helpful to find out the capacity your car can hold. You can dump the first few quarts in without worry, but as you get closer to the capacity you want to add a bit at a time and check the level. Also when you start the car up, the oil level will drop, you want to start the car and stop the car after the level looks correct and then check again.
  
  
• Document your oil change - perhaps by writing the mileage on the receipt for the oil, and throw it in with your other receipts for the car.
  
  
• Good luck and have fun! It is always rewarding to me when I have done the job perfectly and didn't have to pay someone else to do it.
  
  

From someone who also does his changes living in an apartment: buy yourself an oil drain like this, it'll save you a lot of hassle and avoid a mess that your neighbours might not like.

Other than that, changing the oil literally consists of warming the car up a little, removing a single bolt from the oil pan underneath your car, and waiting for it to drain. Then you'll ideally replace the gasket that goes on that bolt for a new one, and replace the filter.

For your car(and most cars really), the oil filter will be a thing like these, usually accessible by hand in the engine bay. Don't know about the US, but here in Brazil you can buy oil and filters in any gas station. After you've drained all the oil, reach for the old filter and unscrew it out. Take the new filter and, before you screw it in, rub a bit of new oil on the rubber gasket of the new one. That'll both ensure a better seal, and that you'll be able to remove this filter by hand on the next change. Then screw the new filter on, finger tight is enough. No need to make it too tight, or like I said it'll be hell on the next change. If pulling your old filter out is hard, you'll know the person who did the job before either skipped oiling the gasket, or put it on too tight, or both.

After putting the new filter on, just fill it up to level with new oil of the correct specification. Your owner's manual will have the oil specs, as well as the ammount you'll need. You use the oil dipstick to check the level. Never over or underfill, and don't use a different spec oil, and your car will run without any problems.

Oh, then take that drain filled with old oil to the nearest gas station the next time you go for a gas fill, so they can dispose of the oil properly there.