If yours is a SOHC, here is what I have learned in the 91K miles of changing my oil on my '97:
1) Get one of those drain plug adapters that install in place of your drain plug. The one I have has a lever that you turn by hand to release the oil. It also has a fitting on the end that I slip a 3/8" hose over so I direct the oil into my container. Mine is made by Fumoto (
http://www.fumotovalve.com/). I believe Walmart caries a Femco quick drain plug also. Get it before you do your first oil change so that from now on they go much smoother (& cleaner). With the factory drain plug, your oil will shoot straight out the side of your oil pan onto your passenger side lower control arm. No matter how many different ways you try and block the flow and direct it into your drain pan, you will still make a mess.
2) Drive a 16 penny nail into the bottom of your oil filter so that it drains most of the oil. Be sure and position your catch pan under it. If you don't the oil in the filter will start to run out from the top as you loosen it up and run down the sides. When you get the last thread undone, it will catch you by surprise and slip right through your fingers and splash all over you. Draining the filter first will lighten it by about a pound so it will be much easier to hold on to.
3) Get one of the socket type filter wrenches. It's true that it shouldn't be on so tight that it needs a wrench but with the engine nice and hot, the tight quarters and oil all over your hands it makes removing the filter a breeze. I use my 9" extension and a 3/8" ratchet to remove it.
4) Check to be sure the old filter gasket didn't come off and stay attached to your engine. Since your new filter will already have a gasket, one gasket is good, two gaskets is very bad. Makes a hellofa mess.
5) Cover the new filter gasket with a coating of new oil and install the filter hand tight.
6) Be sure you closed your drain valve or reinstalled your drain plug.
7) If you elect to put the factory drain plug back in, it may be considered ****, but I always tighten mine down to the proper torque specs using my torque wrench. I have never stripped one out. When I used to take my company vehicles in for oil changes, I was constantly having to pay them to fix the stripped out drain plug that they stripped on my previous oil change. It is so simple to do and since you have to use a ratchet anyways to put the plug back in, you might as well use a torque wrench. Get the specs from a Haynes or Chilton's manual.
8) Fill your engine back up with the proper amount and proper viscosity oil. My SOHC calls for 5 quarts of 5W30.
9) Reinstall your fill cap.
10) Start your engine and watch that your oil guage shows pressure within a few seconds of starting it.
11) Look over your filter, drain plug and filler cap to be sure you don't have any leaks.
