1. To locate the oil filter on your 1994 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9L engine, follow these steps:
2. Park your truck on a level surface and turn off the engine.
3. Engage the parking brake.
4. Locate the oil filter housing on the passenger side of the engine compartment, near the top.
5. It's a cylindrical-shaped component with "OIL FILTER" or similar markings.
6. The oil filter is usually black or gray and about 3-4 inches in diameter.
7. Place an oil drain pan under the oil filter housing to catch any dripping oil.
8. Use an oil filter wrench or a socket wrench to loosen the oil filter.
9. Turn counterclockwise until it loosens.
10. Be careful not to spill oil on yourself or the surrounding components.
11. Remove the old oil filter and discard it properly.
12. Apply a thin coat of new engine oil to the gasket of the new oil filter.
13. Screw on the new oil filter by hand until it's snug.
14. Use the oil filter wrench to tighten the oil filter according to the specification mentioned in your vehicle's owner's manual, usually around 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
15. Over-tightening can damage the gasket.
16. Refill the engine with new oil as specified in the owner's manual.
17. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
18. Check for any leaks around the oil filter housing.
1994 Dodge Dakota with 2.5L engine:
1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface and allow the engine to cool.
2. Locate the oil pan under the engine. It is usually a flat metal pan that holds the engine oil.
3. Look for the oil filter near the oil pan. It is usually a cylindrical-shaped component with "OIL FILTER" or similar markings.
4. Place an oil drain pan under the oil filter to catch any dripping oil.
5. Use an oil filter wrench or a socket wrench to loosen the oil filter. Turn counterclockwise until it loosens.
6. Be careful not to spill oil on yourself or the surrounding components.
7. Remove the old oil filter and discard it properly.
8. Apply a thin coat of new engine oil to the gasket of the new oil filter.
9. Screw on the new oil filter by hand until it is snug.
10. Use the oil filter wrench or socket wrench to tighten the oil filter according to the specifications in your vehicle's owner's manual. Over-tightening can damage the gasket.
11. Refill the engine with new oil as specified in the owner's manual.
12. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
13. Check for any leaks around the oil filter housing.
