Need help with my first oil change

[Praetor]

I've never changed the oil on any of my vehicles, I've always paid someone else to do it for me. As a kid, I "helped" my dad out a time or two, but nothing from memory really helps me out.

Now that I've got a house with my own driveway and garage, I've decided to man up and do it myself. My wife thinks I'm nuts and is just waiting for me to catch fire.

I've got everything I need, but I'm having a hell of a time trying to figure out where the oil drain plug is on my 2007 Chevy Malibu. The owner's manual wasn't any help and everything I find online just says to loosen the nut.

As far as I can see, there isn't anything under there that is plainly labeled "drain oil here."

Can anyone tell me if this is the plug? As you can see, it sits a little bit behind the oil filter and the area is warm to the touch still.

 

[evident]

feel around, does it look like that plug is in some kind of pan or bucketlike surface and is it near the filter? make sure it's not the tranny fluid drai n plug either

you can always find a DIY instruction guide if your car has a forum if you cant figure it out.

 

[MixMasterTang]

I don't think that is it, the filter usually isn't very close to the oil pan, so look a bit further towards the back.

 

[alpineranger]

It will be bigger and shouldn't have anything attached to it. However, that does look like the oil pan and the drain plug should be on it somewhere.

 

[BlackTigers]

Find the oil pan.

Find a bolthead on the oil pan.

Turn bolt, move hands.

 

[Praetor]

A friend of mine found out I was trying to blow myself up doing this and took pity on me. I should be good now.

 

[Greenman]

Put the wrench down and step back from the car.

 

[Sukhoi]

That's a mounting bolt for a wiring harness.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
That's a mounting bolt for a wiring harness.

Actually, it's the low oil level monitor and its wiring connector.

 

[T2urtle]

please oh please get a friend who has done it before to show you.

I really would hate for you to pull your trans fluid plug and then overfill your engine with double the oil.

honestly i'm scared if you mistaken a holding bolt for a oil sensor to be a drain plug, this will not be good.

the drain plug is normally angled downwards. it might be further back then what your picture shows. it should be a bolt that stands alone with normally nothing around it.

 

[drnickriviera]

Reminds me of my cousin that was working on his car and needed to remove 'that big oil cooler' at the front. He now knows the difference between an oil cooler and the A/C condenser

 

[Praetor]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Put the wrench down and step back from the car.

Funny.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: Greenman
Put the wrench down and step back from the car.

Funny.

Smart

 

[LTC8K6]

Register at Auto Zone and you can look at all sorts of diagrams for your car. You can probably find a drawing there that will help you.

Which engine do you have, or is that already too much?