Oil performsfive basic functions in your car engine:

1. Separation and lubrication

Oilhelps reduce the amount of energy consumed. An oil film acts as a lubricant bystopping moving parts from coming into direct contact.

2. Cooling

    Oil acts as a coolant by dispelling theheat created by friction.

3. Cleaning

Oilkeeps your car engine clean by trapping impurities like dust and combustionresidues in the oil filter.

4. Rust protection

Waterand combustion acids can cause rust in your engine. Oil coats and protects yourengine surfaces from rust agents.

5. Water tightness

Foroptimum compression and engine power, pistons need effective water tightness.Oil covers the pistons with a film thus keeping water at bay.

When should I change the oil in my car?

It all dependson the make and model of your car. Check your car instruction manual to findout how often you should change your oil. Most car manufacturers recommend anoil change every 6,000 miles for a normal service and every 3,000 miles for asevere service (this is for driver's that use their car a lot). Changing youroil regularly can prevent engine damage. Not enough oil can cause your engineparts to scrape together. Too much oil could spill over onto your engine.

You shouldalso check your oil filter on a regular basis to clear it of any build-up.

If your oillevels are running low, most cars have an oil light fitted into the dashboard. Keepan eye on your oil light. If you have an oil leak, you will use more oil thanusual.

Can I change the oil myself?

Yes. It?srelatively quick and easy to do it yourself and it could save you a bit of cash.If your car goes in for regular services at a garage, the mechanic should checkand change your oil when necessary.

How do I change the oil in my car?

Just followthese four easy steps. If you're not sure where some of the parts are in yourcar, check your car instruction manual.

1.   Drain the oil

Yourcar engine must be turned off and cool to touch. Most modern car engines run ataround 150'C. Hot oil can cause serious burns.

Find out where your drain plug is (check your car instructionmanual). Place a big enough container directly under the drain plug and thenunscrew the plug in an anti-clockwise direction. If you can't do this by hand,use an oil filter wrench. When all the oil has drained out, screw the plug backin making sure it is firmly in place.

2.  Replace the filter

Place a container under the oil filter to catch the oil. You willneed an oil filter wrench to remove the old oil filter. Before you put your newoil filter in, coat it with a thin layer of oil and check the instructions inyour car instruction manual. Most manuals will tell you to give the oil filterone more turn after the gasket has made contact. This is important because youdon't want it too loose as it will leak or so tight that you can't remove it.

3.  Add new oil

Consult your car instruction manual to find out how much oil yourcar needs. Pour the new oil into the oil filler cap in the valve cover using afunnel.

Most cars use between 4.5 and 5.5 litres of oil. If you don't know how much oil your car takes put in 4.5 litresto start. Check the oil level and if it's still low, add a bit more. Rememberto replace the oil filler cap before you close the bonnet.

4.  Test it

After all your hard work, test it by starting your car engine. Theoil warning light should be off. Look under your car to make sure there are nooil leaks. Next, turn off the engine and let it rest for about a minuteallowing the oil to drain down to the crankcase. Pop the bonnet and check theoil level. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, replace it, and pull it outagain. Most dipsticks have a ?full? mark on it. If the oil level reaches the?full? mark, you have changed your oil successfully and are good to go.

Recycle your old engine oil

Beresponsible and dispose of your old oil carefully. Funnel the old oil into aclearly marked bottle/container and drop it off at a recycling point. To findone near you visit .

Oil isbecoming an endangered commodity so please don't change your car oil more thannecessary.

Now you knowhow to change the oil in your car, don't forget to keep your up-to-date.