An oil change is one of the best regular maintenance procedures you can perform on your vehicle. Oil gets weak and thin over time as it circulates around the engine, picking up dirt and contaminants. New oil will keep the engine clean, cool and properly lubricated. Changing the oil in a 2000 Buick LeSabre yourself is a straightforward task that saves you a trip to the auto repair center.
Warm the Buick's engine to normal operating temperature to help the oil drain faster. Raise the front of the Buick with a jack and place it on jack stands. Apply the emergency brake and chock the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
Place an oil drain container under the car below the oil drain plug. The plug is at the back of the oil pan, on the bottom of the engine. Slowly loosen the oil drain plug with a socket wrench; the oil will begin to seep from the plug as you turn. Remove the plug and allow the oil to drain into the container. The oil will be hot, so be careful and wear gloves if necessary.
Remove the oil filter by slowly turning the filter wrench counterclockwise. The filter will be full of oil, so place the oil drain container below it.
Replace the oil drain plug and tighten it with the socket wrench. Rub a drop of new oil around the rubber gasket at the top of the new oil filter. Install the new filter and tighten it by hand. Use the filter wrench to tighten the filter another quarter turn.
Raise the hood and locate the oil filler cap in the front, center of the engine. Remove the filler cap by turning it counterclockwise. Add four qts. of oil to the engine and replace the oil filler cap.
Remove the jack stands after raising the car slightly with the jack, then use the jack to lower the wheels to the ground. Start the engine and allow it to run for a few seconds to circulate the oil. Turn the engine off.
Check the oil level with the dipstick. Check for leaks under the car from the filter and drain plug.
