Who changes their own oil anymore? Not me but thought it was a good idea to teach my teenage daughter how to in case she wanted to save some money by doing it herself. To help her out I wrote out step-by-step instructions on how to go about it, you may find that these simple to follow steps can help you as well. Below are the exact list of steps she followed to actually change her car's oil.
I created a list of tools and material she would need to gather before starting. Check your owners manual for type of oil and amount needed. All auto parts stores will assist you in finding the right oil and filter.
I explained that it was a good idea to run the car's engine for a few minutes before she drained the oil because warm oil drains faster than cold oil.
Always park the car on a level surface, engage the parking brake and turn off the engine. It may be necessary to raise the front end in order to get under. If so, use two stands, one on each side for a sturdy foundation.
I told her to place the new oil under the hood so she would not forget to add the new oil back into the engine. I've heard of people forgetting.
Next to locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine. Check your owner's manual for the exact location.
Place the oil drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench and turn counterclockwise to remove drain plug.
Remove the plug by hand and be careful of the rush of hot oil. Wearing gloves is a good idea.
Let the oil drain into the pan.
It is a good idea to replace the drain plug gasket at least every other oil change.
Reinstall the plug by hand then tighten with a wrench or socket and be careful to not over tighten the plug. This could cause a leak and/or make it difficult to remove the plug later.
Locate the existing oil filter. Again, check your owner's manual for exact location.
Place the oil pan underneath the filter to catch oil.
Use an adjustable oil filter wrench to unscrew the old oil filter.
Use a rag to wipe the area where the filter mounts to the engine.
Using your finger add some new oil to the rubber seal of the new filter.
Screw the new filter into place by hand. If you're not strong enough use the adjustable filter wrench, don't over tighten.
Once all of the old oil is out and you have installed the new filter and tightened the drain plug it's time to add the new oil.
Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine and remove it.
Place the funnel in the opening and pour in the new oil.
Replace the cap when you're finished.
Run the engine for a minute, then check the dipstick. The owner's manual should show you a diagram of where the oil level should be. Add more oil if necessary.
Check the area around the oil drain plug and the filter for oil leaks. Tighten the plug or oil filter if you find leak.
Use rags and/or newspapers to wipe away excess oil.
Pour the used oil into a plastic container after the used oil cools. I use old plastic milk containers.
Lastly, dispose the used oil at a recycling center, an auto repair shop or county land fill. Never pour it down the sewer or directly on the ground.
That's it! She was able to change her car's oil with little help from me and she keeps these instructions in her glove compartment for future oil changes. By doing this herself she was able to save $20. Good luck.
If you own a car, you need to know about engine oil. If you let your oil level drop too low or even if you use the wrong type of oil for your car, you could increase your emissions, burn more fuel, even invalidate your warranty in some cases but most importantly, you will be doing some serious damage to your engine which will cost you more in the long run.
Why do you need oil? Oil is used to reduce the friction between moving parts, this is especially important in an engine as it has so many moving parts which could be potentially fatal if they go wrong. Oil also helps prevent corrosion and it carries heat away from engine helping it cool. All in all, when used properly engine oil can not only improve the overall efficiency of your car but it can also increase its longevity and help you when it comes to selling it on.
How do you check your oil? Under the bonnet of every car will be a dipstick, usually with either a red or yellow loop that you pull. When you pull the dipstick out, wipe it with an old rag before reinserting it to give you a correct level. This should always be done whilst the car is parked on a flat surface and when the engine is cool. All dipsticks have a minimum and maximum mark which your oil level should fall between, if it's looking low (nearer min than max) you'll need to top it up but be careful as too much oil (over the max mark) can cause damage to the engine too. If you do need to top your oil up, the oil filler cap normally has a little symbol of an oilcan on it, if you're not sure, check your owners guide and be sure.
So you've decided your engine could so with some oil, what sort do you choose? There are so many different types from so many different makes. Luckily, you shouldn't have to worry about that, your handbook or owners manual should tell you exactly what sort of oil you'd need. If you've misplaced these, any reputable retailer, either online or a physical shop, would be able to help you. If, after walking into your local car shop, if you're still unsure, any engine oil online shop will be able to offer you technical support. What does the different grade of engine oil mean? Normally, you'll get two numbers with a W in the middle. Very simply the first number is the viscosity (how thick it is) at low temperature, the second number is the viscosity at high temperature, this will usually be the more relevant of the two (unless you drive in below freezing conditions on a regular basis).
The higher the number the thicker the oil, it needs to be thinner when it's cold so it flows round the engine more effectively. The suffix of the letter W indicates it's designed for the cold i.e. winter. You can get single grade oil, but as most engines go through quite an extreme range of temperatures rather quickly, the multi grade oil is normally more advisable for most cars in most environments.
It takes five minutes to check your engine oil level and top it up, it could cost thousands in engine repair bills or even write off your car if neglected. it's better safe than poor.
Both Dennis Watson & Kimberlie Hutson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Kimberlie Hutson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Motorola Cell Phone, Franchise and Brain Injury. Race Lubricants online shop are experts when it comes to and lubricants, they boast an extensive stock from some of the biggest names in engine oil and of. Kimberlie Hutson's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.