Oil Change DIY Kit: Gear You Need for Home Oil Changes

Oil Change DIY Kit: What the Kit Holds

An oil change diy kit holds the parts that wear out at every change, in the quantities the listing states. The Polaris kits in this guide hold PS-4 full synthetic 5W-50 oil, an oil filter, and a drain plug washer, with 2.5 quarts in the 2879323 kit and 2 quarts in the 2877473 kit. The DmaxStore kit holds 7 quarts of DexosD synthetic 0w-20 oil and a PF66A oil filter for the LM2 3.0l Duramax Diesel. The Powersports Authority kit holds 4 stroke engine oil (5W50) and a canister oil filter 2879323 for the Polaris Ranger RZR XP 1000, with no oil volume stated in the listing.

The washer is easy to overlook, and it is also the part that seals the drain plug. A kit that includes a drain plug washer gives a fresh seal with the change, while a kit without a stated washer leaves the washer to be sourced on its own. For washers on their own, see the crush washer kit for oil changes, and for the pan that catches the old oil, see the oil drain pan guide.

Matching Oil, Filter, and Washer to the Vehicle

Match the kit to the vehicle, not to the shelf. The Polaris kits are made for Polaris powersports engines, with the 2879323 kit listed for RANGER, GENERAL, and RZR, and the PS-4 oil is stated for ambient temperatures of -40°F to 100°F. The DmaxStore kit is made for the LM2 3.0l Duramax Diesel in the Silverado, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, and Escalade Diesel, with a recommended oil change interval of 7,500 miles stated in the listing. The Powersports Authority kit is listed for the Polaris Ranger RZR XP 1000, with fitment given as a note to see the description for vehicle fitment.

Viscosity is the number on the bottle to check first at the change. The Polaris kits use 5W-50, and the DmaxStore kit uses 0w-20, and those grades are not interchangeable, so the grade in the manual decides the kit, not the size of the bottle. For the grades themselves, see motor oil types and the full synthetic versus synthetic blend oil comparison. The filter matters just as much: the DmaxStore kit notes that the older PF66 filter is discontinued and replaced by the updated PF66A filter, so the filter in the box should be the PF66A, and the Polaris kits state 1 oil filter each. For removing the old filter, see how to remove an oil filter.

What to Check Before an Oil Change

Check the manual for the fill, the grade, and the filter before opening the kit, and check the parts in the box against that list. The oil volume in the kit must cover the fill the manual calls for, the filter part must match the listing, and a fresh drain plug washer must be on hand if the kit states a washer. If the listing gives no oil volume, as the Powersports Authority listing does, the volume must be confirmed from the manual before the change starts.

• Stands before hands under the vehicle: never get under a vehicle supported by a jack alone, and use rated stands on solid, level ground at the lift points the manual lists. See the jack stands for a home garage guide.
• Ventilation: work with the garage door open and never run a fuel engine in a closed garage.
• Used oil: keep the used oil in a sealed container for disposal, and keep it away from drains and soil.
• Storage: keep the kit on a shelf where the oil stays upright, with the filter beside it, so the next change starts from the same box.

Gear for the Oil Change in This Guide

Once the manual gives the grade and the fill, the change needs the oil and the filter that match them, and the gear below covers that change for the vehicles in this guide, with a washer in the Polaris kits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying a kit by the oil grade alone and ignoring the filter part and the fitment list.
• Reusing a drain plug washer when the kit includes a fresh washer.
• Trusting the spec table over the title and bullets when they disagree, as the Polaris 2877473 listing does with 2 quarts against a spec table size of 1 Quart.
• Getting under a vehicle on a jack alone instead of on rated stands.
• Pouring used oil down a drain or onto soil instead of keeping it sealed for disposal.
• Running the engine in a closed garage while checking the change.

FAQ: garage tools

What is in an oil change diy kit?

An oil change diy kit holds the oil, the oil filter, and, in the Polaris kits here, a drain plug washer. The Polaris 2879323 kit holds 2.5 quarts of PS-4 5W-50 oil, 1 oil filter, and 1 drain plug washer, the Polaris 2877473 kit holds 2 quarts of the same oil with the same filter and washer, and the DmaxStore kit holds 7 quarts of DexosD 0w-20 oil and a PF66A oil filter.

How do I know which oil change kit fits my vehicle?

Match the kit to the fitment the listing states and the grade the manual calls for. The Polaris kits are made for Polaris powersports engines, with the 2879323 kit listed for RANGER, GENERAL, and RZR, and the DmaxStore kit is made for the LM2 3.0l Duramax Diesel. Check the manual for the grade and the fill, and see how to change oil for the home mechanic overview.

Can I use 5W-50 oil in a vehicle that calls for 0w-20?

No, the grade in the manual decides. The Polaris kits use 5W-50 for Polaris powersports engines, and the DmaxStore kit uses 0w-20 for the LM2 3.0l Duramax Diesel, and those grades are stated for different engines, so a kit must match the grade the manual calls for.

How often should the oil be changed?

Follow the interval the manual or the listing states for the vehicle. The DmaxStore listing states a recommended oil change interval of 7,500 miles for the LM2 3.0l Duramax Diesel, while the Polaris listings state no interval, so the interval must be checked in the manual for those engines.

Do I need a new drain plug washer with every oil change?

The Polaris kits in this guide include 1 drain plug washer with the oil and the filter, so a fresh washer is on hand with the change. The DmaxStore and Powersports Authority listings state no washer, so the washer must be sourced on its own if the manual calls for a fresh washer.

Related: the engine and shop equipment hub, the oil change kit for home mechanics guide and the motor oil guide. Also see the oil drain pan guide.