Turn off the engine, block the wheels and set the parking break before getting under your car.  To avoid burns, make sure that the engine is not too hot.  Consult your owner’s manual for directions.
	Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the engine’s oil pan and allow the used oil to drain from your car into a suitable container such as a drip pan.
	If you are changing your oil filter, do it next, following the directions below and on the filter.  Afterwards, replace the drain plug in the bottom of the engine’s oil pan.  Make sure that it’s tight.
	Carefully add the new engine oil.  Although most cars take four to five quarts of oil, always check your owner’s manual for the amount of oil required and the recommended grade of motor oil to be used.  Do not overfill.
	With the parking brake still set and in a well-ventilated area, start the engine.  The oil pressure light may be on, but it should go out after a few seconds.  Once the light goes out, allow the engine to run for a few more minutes.
	Turn off the engine and check the oil level.  Also check around the oil filter and drain plug for oil leaks.
	So you know when to change your oil next according to the manufacturer's recommendation in your owner's manual, write down the date and mileage as well as grade and brand of motor oil you installed. Pennzoil tip: Note the mileage or date at which you will need to get your next oil change.
	Use a funnel or carefully pour the used oil from the drip pan into a suitable recycling container (see below).  Reuse the drip pan; don’t rinse the residual oil down the drain.
	Protect the environment and conserve resources by taking your used oil and oil filter to your nearest used oil collection center (see below).

After draining the oil from your car’s crankcase, pour the oil into a clean, leakproof container with a screw-on top.  Many household containers are suitable, including original motor oil containers. Never use containers that held household chemicals such as bleach.  Make sure that the container has a secure lid so it cannot spill.  Containers specifically designed for carrying used motor oil also may be purchased at automotive supply stores.
     
If you don’t take your used oil to a recycling center immediately, never temporarily store it in any container that once held food, beverages or chemicals.  Regardless of the type of container used for carrying or storing oil, be sure it is clean, clearly labeled “Used Oil” and kept out of the reach of children and pets.
     
Take the container to the nearest used oil collection center.  If your community doesn’t have a collection center, check with your local service station or an automobile maintenance facility such as a lube center, repair shop or car dealership. Also look for the nearest “oil drop.”  This is a petroleum industry symbol indicating that used oil is collected for recycling/reuse.

Where it’s practical and cost effective, empty used oil filters are being collected for recycling.  Check with the used oil collection facility where you take your used motor oil to see if accepts used oil filters, or if it can direct you to a place that does.  If you don’t have any facilities in your area that recycle used oil filters, the empty used filter usually can be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of with your regular household trash.
     
Whether you recycle or dispose of your used oil filter, it must be drained of used oil.  Special handling is required to properly clean an oil filter:

	Use a filter wrench (if necessary) to loosen the old filter.  Carefully remove the used filter.
	Drain the filter of any oil.  The most effective method is to use a sharp tool to puncture the anti-drain back valve (on the filter's flat end) or the filter dome (on its rounded end) and allow the used oil inside the filter to drain into a container appropriate to hold used oil for recycling.  (Anti-drain back valves are present in most automotive and light-duty truck filters.  The valve consists of a rubber flap that creates a vacuum to prevent oil from draining back into the engine when it is not running.  Puncturing the filter breaks the vacuum and releases the trapped oil).
	Place the flat end of the punctured filter on the used oil collection container and drain as much oil as possible out of the filter.  It is important for used oil filters to drain at least 12 hours near engine operating temperature and above room temperature (approximately 60°F).
	Install the new filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Coat its rubber seal with a small amount of oil, then replace it.  Do not use a filter wrench to tighten the new filter as this may damage the filter.  Instead, tighten it snugly with your fingers, following the directions supplied with the filter.
All information contained above has been sourced from: * South Carolina DHEA Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling: Used Motor Oil Recycling Pamphlet (1/08) * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Collecting Used Oil for Recycling/Reuse – Tips for Consumers Who Change Their Own Motor Oil and Filters * U.S. Department of Energy:  Used Oil Re-refining Study to Address Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1838