Whats the difference between adding your own oil into your car vs getting an oil change?

i belive i am almost completley out of oil in my car so i either need an oil change from a shop or i could add oil to my own car. what should i do? its a 15 year old car and i dont want to mess up here. i havent had a change since december (at least per my records) so should i just have someone do it or will i be fine doing it on my own?Whats the difference between adding your own oil into your car vs getting an oil change?
Oil Change instructions for Women:





1) Pull up to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.


2) Drink a cup of coffee.


3) 15 minutes later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.





Money spent:


Oil Change:


$20.00


Coffee: $1.00


Total: $21.00


==========


Oil Change instructions for Men :


1) Wait until Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.


2) Stop by 7/11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for $20, drive home.


3) Open a beer and drink it.


4) Jack car up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.


5) Find jack stands under kid's pedal car.


6) In frustration, open another beer and drink it.


7) Place drain pan under engine..


8) Look for 9/16 box end wrench.


9) Give up and use crescent wrench.


10) Unscrew drain plug.


11) Drop drain plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.


12) Crawl out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter on spilled oil.


13) Have another beer while watching oil drain.


14) Spend 30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.


15) Give up; crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.


16) Crawl out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing oil everywhere from holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental penalties. Drink a beer.


17) Install new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.


18) Dump first quart of fresh oil into engine.


19) Remember drain plug from step 11.


20) Hurry to find drain plug in drain pan.


21) Drink beer.


22) Discover that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on oil spill.


23) Get drain plug back in with only a minor spill. Drink beer.


24) Crawl under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain plug and bang knuckles on frame removing any excess skin between knuckles and frame.


25) Begin cussing fit.


26) Throw stupid crescent wrench.


27) Cuss for additional 5 minutes because wrench hit bowling trophy.


28) Beer.


29) Clean up hands and bandage as required to stop blood flow.


30) Beer.


31) Dump in five fresh quarts of oil.


32) Beer.


33) Lower car from jack stands.


34) Move car back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during any missed steps.


35) Beer.


36) Test drive car.


37) Get pulled over: arrested for driving under the influence.


38) Car gets impounded.


39) Call loving wife, make bail..


40) 12 hours later, get car from impound yard.





Money spent:


Parts: $50.00


DUI: $2500.00


Impound fee: $75.00


Bail: $1500.00


Beer: $20.00


Total: $4,145.00


But knowing the job was done right....pricelessWhats the difference between adding your own oil into your car vs getting an oil change?
The problem is that you are low on oil. You need to find out why. It is not normal to just keep adding oil. You wither have an oil leak, or your motor is burning oil through the pistons. Either way, you have a mechanical issue that is going to get worse. Put oil in it and then take it to a shop to have the issue resolved.
you can change the oil yourself after you change oil filter you should use 4-5 litres depending on engine size if you aint got a oilfilter remover bang a screw driver through it remove it that way. remember the engine size allow time for it to run down /.check after say 3%26amp;half goes on size of motor 4cyclinders 4litres 6cyclinders 5litres i change mine every 5000klms
if you know where your oil filter is do it your self. you save all the labor fees. just buy a filter and some oil whatever you need for your type of car. then remove the old oil filter drain the dirty oil. put on the new filter and put in new oil. yes its that easy and save from 20 to 50$$$.
you can add oil if you dont have any in there. but i would recommend getting it changed also. please remember not to just keep adding oil. you have to also periodically change it out for new stuff
you should check engine oil level by pulling out dipstick and add accordingly then take to shop for oil change don't run low of oil it will burn up the engine
Adding your own oil, means to add the oil, one quart, at a time. Till the oil level, on the dipstick, is at the specified mark. Getting a oil change, means, to actually take the car, to the shop, and, have them, drain the oil, from the engine, and, then, also remove the oil filter. Once all the oil is drained out, they install a new oil filter, and, refill the engine, with fresh oil. You can, however, just change the oil, in your car, yourself, and, save money. All you need, is a jack, jackstands, a container to catch the old oil, in, some rags, to wipe up, with, a oil filter wrench, and, a good sized adjustable wrench, for the drain plug, on the oil pan. You will also need to purchase a box of oil, and, the correct oil filter, for your vehicle. The oil, and, the filter, can be purchased, from Fleet Farm, Advanced Auto, Car Quest, Napa and others. Jack the front end, up, high enough, to get under the car... Once you have enough room, to get under the car, place the jackstands, on a sturdy portion, of the front end. (Safty First, always). Then locate the oil pan, and, the drain plug. The oil pan, is on the bottom, of the engine, while, the drain plug, is usually located, in the center, of the oil pan. However, they can also be located, to either side, of the oil pan, or more towards the front of the oil pan, as well. Now, have the container, ready, to catch the oil, as you loosen, and, remove the drain plug. You will spill some oil, that can't be helped. That is what the rags are for, to clean up, with. While the oil is draining from the engine, you can remove the oil filter. They make a special oil filter wrench, or, you can use a big pair, of slip-joint pliers, as well. Here, again, have the container, ready, to catch the oil, from the oil filter, though, it shouldn't be much. Onec everything is all drained out, to your satishfaction, replace the oil pan drain plug, and, tighten it, well. Then, install a new oil filter, as well. Now, open the hood, and begin to add oil, to the engine, checking the dipstick, as you progress. once the oil level, is at the specified area, start the car, and, check for leakes. If any are found, it is usually the oil pan drain plug, or, the oil filter, not quite tight enough. Otherwise, if no leakes are found, let engine warm up, and, then, recheck the oil level, on the dipstick, by wiping off the oil, on the dipstick, then, reinserting the dip stick, then, withdrawing it, again, to get a positive reading. If level is low, add just enough, to bring up to full mark. If level, shows full, already, then, you are done. You can remove the jackstands, and, let the jack down. That is it, you have done your own oil change, and, saved money, in the process. So, I would say, you should be fine, doing it, on your own.
check first for oil leaks, and remember it is a 15 year old car, you could have wear in oil rings in motor if car is blowing a lot of smoke.