Regular engine oil change and filter replacement are some of the most important procedures you can do to keep your car running better. Over time, the oil breaks down and the filter becomes clogged with contaminants. Depending on your driving habits and the type of vehicle you have, this can take up to 3 months or 4,800 km (3,000 miles), or up to 24 months or 32,000 km (20,000 miles). Fortunately, changing the oil is a simple and inexpensive process, so it will be best for your vehicle if you do it as soon as possible (if necessary).
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Raise the Vehicle
Step 1. Park the car on a flat surface
Take it to a garage or park it on a level area in the driveway. Make sure the floor is level and you have enough room to work on all sides of the vehicle. Park the car, remove the keys and activate the parking brake. Then, let the car idle for 5-10 minutes to allow the oil to cool.
If you don't let the car sit, you could burn yourself from draining the oil
Step 2. Raise the vehicle by placing the jack under the fulcrum
Locate the jack under the chassis near the front of the car. Insert the square end of the metal crank into the square socket. Turn the crank to the right to raise the car so that the front end is about ½ meter (18 inches) off the ground. This way, you will have enough space to work under the car.
If you are unsure of the location of your vehicle's support point, you can consult your owner's manual for specific information
Step 3. Drive your vehicle onto the steel ramps if you don't have a jack
Some people prefer to use steel ramps (rather than a jack) to change the oil. Separate both ramps at the height of the vehicle's wheels. Typically this measurement is 4 feet (120 cm). Drive the car forward until it is over the top of the ramps. The wheels should sink into the grooves at the top of the ramps that hold the vehicle in place.
- Ramps give you 2 suspension points on the vehicle instead of just 1. They are generally used in mechanics shops for this reason.
- It won't take more than 10 seconds to drive your vehicle up the ramps, so this process shouldn't cause the engine to get too hot. It's okay to do this before you start changing your oil.
Step 4. Place a block behind a rear wheel to slow the vehicle
Whether you're using a jack or driving the vehicle over the ramps, the last thing you want is for it to roll while you work on it. You can place a piece of wood or other block behind a rear wheel to keep the car in place. If the surface you've parked your car on is slightly sloping, you should play it safe and put blocks behind both rear wheels.
Press down on the hood 2-3 times to make sure the vehicle stays stable and doesn't crush you while you work under it. If the car is unstable, it is probably not elevated or positioned properly on the ramps. Lower the car with the jack (or drive it down the ramps) to make some adjustments and try to raise it again
Part 2 of 5: Drain the oil
Step 1. Place the oil drain tank under the engine drain plug
Bend down to check under the vehicle. The engine oil drain plug is located 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) from the front of the vehicle, and attaches directly under the engine. It sits on the bottom of a large tank known as the oil pan. Slide the drain pan under the engine drain plug until it is centered in place.
The oil pan can contain at least twice the amount of oil that the engine takes in, so no liquid should spill down the sides of the oil pan when removing it from the car
Step 2. Unscrew the cap counterclockwise to remove it
Open the hood and locate the oil cap on top of the engine. The cap will be approximately 2 inches (5 cm) wide and should have an oil symbol (or the word “oil”) across the top. Hold the cap firmly with one hand and twist it counterclockwise to unscrew. Put the oil plug somewhere nearby where you won't forget it or lose track of it.
Remove the plug before draining the oil to let the liquid drain out quickly, as it will have airflow above and below it
Step 3. Unscrew the oil plug with a socket wrench or adjustable wrench
Loosen the plug to the left using an appropriately sized wrench. If you have enough room to maneuver, you can use an adjustable wrench. To prevent oil from spilling all over your arm when removing the drain plug bolt, you should apply inward force (as if you were trying to push the plug into the hole) as you remove it. When the bolt is fully unscrewed, you should quickly pull it out of the opening. If you are lucky, only a few drops will fall on your hand.
Find a metal washer between the oil pan and the drain plug. Take this item out as well and place it on the floor next to you
Step 4. Wait several minutes for all the oil to drain from the car
Once you've opened the crankcase drain plug, the oil will drain relatively quickly. However, since this is a thick liquid, it won't come out right away. You should wait 2-3 minutes to make sure it drains completely. When the oil has finished draining from the crankcase, you should replace the plug.
Replace the washer you removed earlier. Then, reinsert the drain plug and fit it into the oil pan by turning it clockwise
Part 3 of 5: Replace the oil filter
Step 1. Locate the filter assembly under the hood
The filters are not placed in a standard position, so they can be located on the front, rear or side of the engine according to the model. Oil filters are generally white, blue, or black cylinders. They are about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long and 3 inches (8 cm) wide, like a large soup can.
- Check the replacement filter you bought to get an idea of what to look for.
- Some newer vehicles (BMW, Mercedes and Volvo brands) may have a filter element or a replacement, as opposed to the simpler threaded type. These items require you to open the lid of a built-in reservoir and lift the element out of the filter.
Step 2. Twist the oil filter counterclockwise to remove it
First try to get a good grip on it with your hand and turn it slowly and steadily to the left. If you can't remove the filter by hand, you will need a removal tool. Make sure the drain pan is under the filter before removing it completely. In this way, you will avoid spills.
- Make sure the reservoir is still under the car so it catches any spilled oil. There will be some trapped oil in the filter that will drain out when you unscrew it.
- To avoid spilling too much oil when removing the filter, you can wrap it in a plastic bag to catch any oil that escapes when you remove it. Let it sit upside down inside the bag to drain as you complete the job.
Step 3. Rub the oil over the gasket to prepare the new filter
Dip the tip of a finger in the new oil. Smear a thin layer of oil on the gasket ring of the new filter. This will lubricate the gasket and create a good seal for the new filter. Plus, you'll make sure you can remove the oil filter next time.
- You can also pour 20-30 drops of oil into the filter before installing it. This will reduce the amount of time it takes for your car to regain proper oil pressure.
- If the filter is mounted vertically, you can fill it almost to the top. If it's mounted at an angle, then a small amount of oil will spill out just before turning the filter if you've overfilled it.
Step 4. Carefully screw on the new lubricated filter
Oil filters tend to have delicate threads, so when turning the filter clockwise to screw it in, be careful not to cross the threads. In most cases, you will adjust the filter until it touches the gasket, and then a further quarter turn. Once the filter is in place, you are ready to add the new oil to the engine.
Generally, the filter will indicate how much you should adjust it. See the specifications on the box for more specific instructions
Part 4 of 5: Add the New Oil
Step 1. Pour new oil into the car at the fill hole
The oil plug should still be out and safely located to the side. Unscrew the top of an oil canister and hold it with the spout at the top (pointing towards you). Holding the container this way will allow the oil to flow out more smoothly, without bubbling. Rotate the oil canister in one swift motion and stick the tip of the canister into the engine's fill hole. Try to spill as little oil as possible.
The amount of oil you need is found in your owner's manual, which is usually listed under "capacities." Make sure you add the correct oil. You can generally safely add 10W-30 oil to most cars if necessary, but you should consult your owner's manual or an expert at an auto parts store before adding the oil
Step 2. Replace the filler cap on the motor
Remove the empty oil canister and screw the fill cap back into the oil fill hole. Turn it clockwise until it is completely tight to prevent oil from spilling. Check around for any loose tools you may have left around and close the hood. It's a good idea to clean up any spills as best you can, or rinse oil spills with water.
Check under the car to make sure there are no leaks. While it's not dangerous to get a little oil on the crankcase as you pour it in, it is likely to smoke as the engine warms up, producing the smell of burning oil that can scare you momentarily. Also, it can make the inside of it smell bad
Step 3. Start the engine and check the oil pressure light
If the “check oil pressure” light comes on after starting the car, you probably have not applied enough oil or it is leaking a little. Leave the car parked or in neutral with the parking brake on and look carefully underneath it for leaks or drips. If the filter and drain plug are not tight, they may drip slowly. Run the engine for about a minute to build up the pressure and make sure you've installed everything correctly.
If you detect a leak, you should turn off the engine and let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Then, crawl back under the vehicle and tighten the filler cap under the car. This is the most likely place the oil will leak from
Step 4. Remove dipstick to check oil levels
After you've turned the vehicle off again and the oil has settled for 5-10 minutes, recheck the dipstick to make sure the levels are where they should be. If your vehicle is still low on oil, you can add an additional 30 ml (1 oz). Wait another 5 minutes to check the dipstick again.
The dipstick should have markings near the end that indicate whether the oil level is “low” and “full”. Different sides of the dipstick can indicate the levels for hot and cold oil
Part 5 of 5: Dispose of the oil
Step 1. Transfer the oil to an airtight, waterproof container
Now that you have changed the oil, it is time to dispose of it in a more permanent container. The safest option is to pour it into the jar you just emptied. Put the tip of a plastic funnel in the jar and pour in the oil slowly to make sure it doesn't spill. Clearly mark the bottle as "used oil" so you don't mistake it for new oil.
- Other options include old gallons of milk, cans of windshield washer fluid, or other plastic containers. You should be very careful to clearly mark the contents every time you use old food containers, so that mistakes are not made by accident.
- Don't pour used oil into containers that contain chemicals like bleach, pesticides, paint, or antifreeze. These items can contaminate the recycling process.
Step 2. Find a designated oil collection center close to home
Don't just dispose of used motor oil down the drain and never dump it in the garden. You need to remove it safely. Generally, all places that offer motor oil can point you to a suitable collection center. Many service stations that perform oil changes also receive used oil (sometimes for a small fee).
If you need to get rid of the old filter, you can do so at most major automotive suppliers. Retailers that sell more than 1000 filters per year also accept used filters
Step 3. Try recycling the next time the car needs an oil change
Used motor oil is refined until it meets the same certifications and specifications as virgin oil. This process requires less energy than pumping and refining new oil. Additionally, recycling motor oil helps reduce the need to import oil from abroad. In some cases, recycled oil also costs less than "new" oil.
The next time you buy oil at a local auto parts store, you can check to see if they offer recycled oil
Advice
- There are some oil drain valves on the market that replace the standard drain tank bolt. These items can make oil changes much more convenient and can reduce the amount of clutter you create.
- Wear disposable nitrile gloves. Used motor oil contains many toxic pollutants that can be easily absorbed by the skin.
- When measuring the amount of oil in your car, you don't always have to rely on the dipstick for an accurate measurement. The reading can be wrong, especially if you've just started the engine (the dipstick reading will be low as there is still oil in the galleries). If you want to read the dipstick accurately, you should check it first thing in the morning, with the car parked on a level surface, when the oil is cool and settled.
- If you're not sure how often to change your oil, you can check your owner's manual for service intervals. Make sure to use an oil that meets the vehicle's API certification mark. Most vehicles built since 2004 require an “SM” rating, which is better than the oil that was available when older cars were built.
- Before you start draining the oil, you should check to see if you are about to unscrew the engine oil drain plug and not the transmission fluid drain plug. If you're not sure which is which, you should find the tailpipe. This element is always connected to the engine, as is the tube that runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear. The oil pan and drain plug are located under the engine.
- If you have a too difficult filter, you can use a hammer and chisel to push the filter to the left. Note that if you accidentally pierce the thin wall of the filter, the engine will not be able to start until you replace it.
- Consider having an eco-friendly product on hand to soak up the oil in case it spills a little. This element will absorb the oil and keep the garage and driveway clean. Sanitary litter or clay-based products are not considered effective solutions to this problem. You can find a wide variety of organic products to absorb oil online. These products are extremely absorbent, renewable, and easy to use. However, organic oils should be disposed of in the same way as regular oils.
Warnings
- Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine, the used oil inside it, and other parts can stay hot enough to burn you long after the car has been turned off.
- Avoid confusing the oil inlet with that of the transmission fluids, as you can ruin the transmission if you apply oil to it.