There is an ongoing debate about the proper interval between oil changes. Some auto repair shops say that oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, while most car manufacturers, including Toyota, recommend that oil changes only need to be done every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Whatever you decide, just be sure to follow a consistent schedule when changing your oil. You can change the oil in a Toyota Corolla in about 30 minutes.
Place the oil pan directly under the drain plug and the oil filter.
Slide under the Corolla's engine. Remove the oil drain plug with the 14-mm socket and socket wrench. Drain the oil into the pan.
Loosen the oil filter, without removing it, with the oil filter socket and socket wrench. Twist off the oil filter by hand once you've loosened it.
Empty the filter into the pan. Allow the rest of the oil to drain completely.
Clean the oil filter fitting on the engine block.
Put some clean oil on a clean rag. Prime the oil filter gasket by applying the clean oil around the gasket fitting.
Install the new oil filter with the socket wrench and oil filter socket.
Replace the drain plug with the socket wrench and 14-mm socket.
Open the hood of the Corolla. Remove the oil filler cap and add 3.5 to 4 quarts of oil. Check the dipstick level to make sure that you've added the proper amount of oil.
