Changing the oil in your Ford Expedition is a great way to learn about the inner workings of your car as you simultaneously help to extend its longevity. The oil in the engine of your Expedition will be responsible for making sure that the vehicle itself does not overheat. Without proper oil replaced every 3000 miles or so, the engine may become too hot and can run into a huge slew of problems, including melting and other serious and irreparable damages. Fortunately, changing the oil in your Expedition is both easy to do and inexpensive at home. Read on for a step by step guide on how to change the oil in your Ford SUV.

Step 1 -- Gather the Materials

You'll need the following materials in order to properly change the oil in your Expedition:

• New oil filter
• New oil packages (several quarts)
• Oil changing pan
• Newspaper, funnel and paper towels
• Wrench set
• Jack stand set
• New gasket system (optional)

Step 2 -- Prep the Area

Begin by preparing the vehicle for the oil change. Test to see whether you'll be able to reach under the Expedition without having to jack it up; if so, leave it where it is. If not, you'll need to mount the front end of the car on the jack stands. Place newspapers underneath it to catch any drops of oil that fall. Open up the hood and wait until the engine has been off for several hours before you continue.

Step 3 -- Drain the Old Oil

Place the oil collection pan underneath the oil container in the Expedition. Locate the drain plug and unscrew it by hand. As soon as it comes loose, oil will begin to drain into the pan. Allow several minutes for the oil to completely drain into the pan, then clean the whole area out with a paper towel thoroughly before you continue.

Step 4 -- Check and Replace the Filter and Gasket, if Needed

Unscrew the oil filter, which is located adjacent to the drain plug on the oil container in your Expedition, with a wrench. Place the filter in the drain pan to drain the oil from it, then examine it by hand to see if there are any signs of corrosion or other damage. If there are, throw out the filter and replace it with a new one. Otherwise, you can simply reattach the filter. Do the same with the gasket, if you wish. Both of these items will not need to be changed as frequently as the oil itself, but it's still a good idea to check on them when you change the oil.

Step 5 -- Fill with New Oil

The Expedition now needs fresh oil. Close up the drain plug and insert the funnel into the top of the container. Fill it with however many quarts of oil are recommended for your driving style and weather conditions. Allow the oil plenty of time to drain into the container so that you get all of it from the packaging. Remove the funnel, close up the container, close the hood on the vehicle and dismount it from the jack stands.

Before you operate the Expedition, however, you should check on the oil levels manually one last time. Use a dipstick to take a reading of the oil levels and adjust it as appropriate, being sure to add or drain off any oil to get a proper reading. After that, feel free to start up your SUV once again.

If you have any additional questions about how to change the oil on your Ford Expedition, check in with a local mechanic or specialist for more information. This includes questions about which type of oil to use, how to complete any step of this process, and anything else that you may be wondering about or confused by.