How to change the engine oil

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

You will need a couple of wrenches, new consumables and half an hour of free time.

1. Buy new oil and filter

Find out the type and amount of engine oil required, as well as the brand recommended by the manufacturer. This information can be found in the instruction manual or on the Internet, and also check with a consultant in the store.

The corresponding recommendations are usually duplicated on special stickers located under the hood or on the side pillar, next to the driver's door.

You will also need a filter. It changes along with the oil without fail. You can choose the right item by the part number or the brand and year of manufacture of the car.

2. Prepare tools and materials

No complicated equipment and fixtures are required to change the oil. You can do just a couple of keys and a container for draining the mining. However, it is good if auxiliary tools and materials are at hand. Here's what you need:

1. New engine oil.
2. Oil filter.
3. Spanners.
4. Filter key remover (or belt, rope, screwdriver),
5. Container for draining (basin, cut canister or bottle).
6. Rubber gloves.
7. Clean rags.
8. Funnel (or a sheet of thick paper).

3. Find a suitable place

The easiest way to change the oil is on a flyover or on a viewing pit. A free flyover is easy to find on the highway, in garage cooperatives and in some parking lots. You can use the pit from someone you know.

If it is not possible to use the overpass, then as a last resort, you can raise the car with a jack. In this case, proceed with extreme caution: be sure to install a secure footing after lifting the machine and securing the rear wheels with wheel chocks.

4. Warm up the engine

For old oil to drain well from the pan, it must be hot. Therefore, be sure to warm up the engine to operating temperature. It is convenient to replace it after a long trip: in this case, the engine does not need to be specially warmed up.

5. Top up flush (optional)

Flushing is necessary only when changing from one type of oil to another and for cleaning it from contamination for preventive purposes. In other cases, you can do without them.

There are two types of flushing: the so-called five minutes and flushing oils. The former are cleaning additives - they must be added to the old oil before changing and the engine should be allowed to idle. The second ones need to be filled in instead of oil and drive several kilometers.

Depending on the product used, follow the manufacturer's instructions, which are always on the packaging.

6. Drain the old oil

Before climbing under the machine, make sure it is securely locked with the parking brake and wheel chocks. Put on gloves. Remove the filler cap so the oil can drain smoothly and not burn you.

If a crankcase protection is installed on the car, dismantle it to access the drain plug. Tear off the plug with a wrench, then substitute a container to drain the waste and carefully unscrew the plug by hand. Be careful, the hot oil will pour out in a strong stream.

Wait 5-10 minutes until the residual used oil is completely drained away, while you yourself, in the meantime, take care of the filter.

7. Replace the filter

Wipe dirt and dust away from the filter and engine block near it so that they do not get into the lubrication system when replacing. Try unscrewing the old filter by hand. Be careful, it also contains oil! If the filter does not lend itself, use a special puller key.

Instead, you can use the means at hand. For example, make a loop out of a generator belt or a strong cord and, resting a bar on it, try to turn the filter. You can also just wind a couple of meters of any rope around the filter and pull on it. Or in extreme cases, pierce the filter housing with a screwdriver and wield it like a lever.

Take a new filter, grease the sealing gum with a drop of oil. If it is installed with the thread upwards, it must be filled with fresh oil. Screw on the filter by hand and tighten about ¾ turn after touching the rubber seal on the seat.

Don't overdo your puff! Do not use the key under any circumstances: it will be very difficult to remove the filter next time.

8. Fill in new oil

Place the drain plug in the pan and tighten with a wrench. Unlike a filter, it should be tightened with medium effort, but without fanaticism. Some manufacturers also recommend replacing the copper washer on the plug as it shrinks and can leak if tightened repeatedly.

Install a funnel into the filler neck. If you don't have a funnel, make one out of a magazine cover, a piece of paper, or a cut-off bottle. Pour in about 80% of the required amount of oil, and set the remaining aside for now.

Start the engine and check that the oil pressure indicator on the instrument panel goes out. Let the machine idle for a couple of minutes and make sure for yourself that there are no leaks on the drain plug and filter.

Stop the engine and wait 5-7 minutes for the oil to drain completely into the sump. Check the level with the dipstick and top up to the middle mark. If it is not there, then up to the middle between the Min and Max marks. Add oil a little at a time, wait a few minutes before checking the level again. Replace the filler cap.

Don't overdo it with butter! If there is more than needed, overpressure will build up in the system, which can damage the seals.

9. Dispose of used oil

The old oil must not be poured into a street drain or onto the ground. Pour it into an empty canister that is left over from new oil and then hand it over to a waste oil collection point. You can also contact the nearest car service: there they will either accept the work off, or they will tell you where to hand it over.

10. Schedule the next replacement

The frequency of oil change is set by the manufacturer - on average, it is every 10-15 thousand kilometers. With constant operation of the machine in the city, frequent transportation of goods and other difficult conditions, it is better to reduce the service interval to 7-10 thousand kilometers.

Remember to check the oil level regularly every couple of thousand kilometers and replenish it if necessary, as falling below the minimum level degrades lubrication and can cause oil starvation, which results in increased engine wear.