A Simple Diy Oil Change Guide
Of all your car'sfluids, theengine oilis perhaps the most critical. Failing to change aged oil can considerably reduce your engine service life. Thousands of very small particles originating from gasoline, acid substances, carbon traces and other hazardous matter, all accumulate and mix with the oil, moving right through the filter. Then, they corrode and wear away engine parts. Thankfully, it is possible to stop this onslaught on engine internal components simply by following a number of easy steps that tell you how to change your own oil.How to change your own oil:1. First of all, warm up the engine by letting it idle for approximately 15 minutes. Or better yet, plan your oil change immediately after running a few errands or on your way back from a long drive. That way, the majority of the contaminants that will be suspended throughout the oil will be eliminated.2. Park your car or truck on a level area. Raise the front of the vehicle and safely support it on jack stands.3. Place a large catch pan underneath the engine oil pan and remove the drain plug using a wrench. You might want to loosen the oil filler cap located on the valve cover of your engine for a faster drain.4. Replace the drain plug once the oil has completely drained. Slide the catch pan under the oil filter and use a filter wrench to remove it.5. Apply clean engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter. Install and tighten the new filter manually, but don't use the filter wrench or you may over tighten the filter and damage the rubber O-ring, causing it to leak.6. After installing the new oil filter, remove the catch pan from under the vehicle and lower your car.7. Remove the oil filler cap from the engine and pour the correct amount and type of new engine oil through the oil filler hole using a small funnel, if necessary.8. Pull out and take a look at the oil dipstick to make sure you've added enough oil, and replace the oil filler cap.9. Start the engine and check for oil leaks around the oil pan drain plug and oil filter.10. Turn off the engine and save the used oil in a closed container for laterrecycling.Always make sure that you are using the right amount and type of engine oil suggested for your vehicle make and model. Your car owner's manual should tell you the recommended oil viscosity and service rating. The service rating is normally denoted with a couple of letters such as SF, SG, SH or higher. In addition, pay attention to the recommended engine oilchange interval. These series of steps and recommendations will certainly help extend the service life of your engine and help it operate properly.
