The engine oil in a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier acts as lubricant and a cleaner for the inside of the engine. Depending what oil type the car uses and the style of driving, the oil and filter in the Cavalier need changing every 3,000 to 7,500 miles. If the oil is not changed in a timely manner, it can lose its ability to lubricate the engine and can lead to an expensive repair bill. Thankfully, the oil and filter on the 1997 Cavalier are relatively easy to change and require few tools.
Raise the vehicle's hood and locate the engine oil cap -- black, circular cap -- near the front of the engine compartment. Turn the oil cap counterclockwise to loosen it and pull away from the tube it is attached to. Notice the oil level dipstick it attached to the cap.
Raise the Cavalier's frond end from the ground, using the floor jack. Secure it by placing the jack stands beneath the vehicle.
Crawl beneath the Cavalier, while laying on your back, and locate the oil pan. The oil pan is a large, metal pan located in the center of the engine.
Place the drain pan directly below the drain plug on the oil pan.
Loosen the drain plug by turning it counterclockwise with a combination wrench.
Grab the drain plug with your hands and continue loosening it until it is removed from the drain pan. Notice oil begin to drain from the oil pan into the drain pan.
Allow the oil to drain until only small drips come from the pan. Wipe the oil from the area around the drain hole with the shop cloth, then insert and hand-tighten the drain plug.
Tighten the drain plug to 35 foot-pounds on the 2.2-liter engine and 19 foot-pounds on the 2.4-liter, using a torque wrench and socket.
Look on the engine, near the rear of the engine compartment, and locate the oil filter, a metal cylinder about 4 inches long.
Slide the drain pan, carefully, so it is directly beneath the oil filter.
Place the oil filter wrench over the oil filter and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.
Grab the oil filter by hand and loosen it until it is free from the engine.
Place a small amount of new oil on the tip of your index finger and wipe it on the new oil filter's rubber gasket, leaving a small coat of oil on the gasket.
Place the new oil filter on the engine, where the old one was removed. Tighten the filter until it is snug against the mounting base on the engine, then tighten it 1/4-turn beyond that point.
Crawl from beneath the vehicle, bringing the drain pan with you.
Remove the jack stands from under the Cavalier and slowly lower it to the ground.
Place the funnel into the tube from which you removed the oil cap. This tube is known as the filler tube.
Pour four quarts of engine oil into the filler tube via the funnel.
Remove the funnel and place the oil dipstick in the tube and pull it out.
Look at the bottom of the stick and notice there are two marks "Full" and "Min." Make certain that the oil is near the center of the two marks. If the oil does not reach that high, reinsert the funnel and add additional oil until it reaches that area.
Insert the oil dipstick into the filler tube and turn the cap clockwise to tighten it.
Close the Cavalier's hood and start the vehicle.
Check under the Cavalier for any leaks after a few minutes of running.
