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For the layman, here is a step-by-step description of the process of changing the oil on a 1988 Honda CRX:

1. Check your owner's manual for the type and quantity of oil you will need. This particular car needs 3.7qt of 5W-30.
2. Look up the model number of oil filter you will need. For the 1988 Honda CRX, I chose a Fram PH3593A. This step may be done at most auto stores, a clerk will be glad to help you out.
3. Buy four quarts of 5W-30 oil and a filter. Make sure that the oil conforms to at least API SF grade, as indicated in the manual.
4. You will need a drain pan and some rags. A funnel can be handy. The oil filter is rather hard to reach, so a cup-type oil filter wrench may be helpful.
5. The engine oil is quite hot, so make sure that you wait a couple of hours after turning off the engine, unless you are a REAL MAN. REAL MEN only have to wait fifteen minutes, tops.
6. Using the appropriate wrench (the plug I had was ½", yours may vary), unscrew the oil drain plug. Oil will start to leak out as soon as you begin unscrewing. Remember, REAL MEN can handle 150°F oil on their skin, so stop being such a pussy.
7. The wrench will slip out of your hands because it is covered in hot oil. Quickly fish out the wrench and continue.
8. SON OF A BITCH, THAT'S HOT.
9. As the drain plug clears the last thread, both the oil-drenched wrench and the drain plug will fall out of your grasp and into the hot oil. Leave them for now, and let the rest of the oil drain. It may be helpful to remove the oil filler cap to relieve pressure in the engine.
10. Reach behind the engine, below the intake manifold and throttle body, behind a mess of cables and hoses, and find the old oil filter. Unscrew it with your bare hands. What, you actually bought the oil filter wrench? Do it with your hands like a real man, you pussy. Oil will run out of the filter as you remove it. It should run into the oil pan. Maybe. I don't know.
11. Fish out the wrench and the drain plug with a couple of other wrenches. Did I mention that motor oil is a carcinogen?
12. Go have a beer or two while the oil drains.
13. Screw the drain plug back in, using a new drain plug gasket. You should always replace the drain plug gasket, it's designed to deform, and should not be reused. What? You forgot to get one? Well, you'll have to walk to the nearest parts store. I'll wait here.
14. Took longer than you expected, didn't it? Alright, screw that drain plug back in.
15. Now put in 3.7 quarts of oil. The fill hole on a Honda is right on top, and it's huge, but for the less dexterous among you, here's where the funnel will come in handy.
16. Run the engine for a few minutes, making sure that the oil light goes off. Check for any leaks.
17. The drain plug is dripping? Maybe you didn't tighten it enough. Give it another go, make sure it's nice and snug.
18. It's still leaking? Um, maybe you should google for a solution.
19. Oh, this is a known problem with Honda oil pans. And by tightening it down as hard as you could, you've just made things worse. Nice job.
20. Go to the local hardware store (Home Depot will work in a pinch) and try to find something a little more malleable with which to replace that aluminum drain plug gasket.
21. Appeal to a higher power (I used my dad) to determine if a neoprene washer will work. It will. Buy one with the closest diameter to the washer that you can find, in this case, 5/8" inner diameter.
22. Go home, drain the oil, and reinstall the plug with the new washer. Refill with oil, and check for leaks.
23. Oh, whoops, forgot to account for the compression of the plug pushing the rubber out. This won't work, it's leaking even worse. Drain the oil, reinstall the aluminum washer, refill with oil, and pray that it doesn't leak too badly on the way back to the hardware store.
24. This time, get a smaller inner diameter neoprene washer. 7/16" ought to do it.
25. Drive home, drain the oil, screw the plug back in, using the smaller washer, refill with oil, check for leaks, etc.
26. Huzzah! The neoprene washer holds!

And that's how simple it is to change your own oil! For someone experienced with do-it-yourself work on automobiles, this procedure will take about three days. For the less experienced, plan for the procedure to take a little longer.