Do you want to save money on car maintenance and learn a new skill? Changing your oil is one of the most basic, yet important car maintenance tasks that every driver should know how to do. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of changing your oil, so you can get started right away!
Safety First
Safety is always the number one priority when it comes to changing your oil. Before starting any project, make sure you have the right tools and equipment to do the job safely. Make sure you have a jack and jack stands, as well as a wheel chock. Wear protective gloves, safety glasses, and clothes that can get dirty. Make sure you are working in a clean, dry area with plenty of space to move around. If you don’t have a garage or an area where you can safely change your oil, it’s best to take your vehicle to a professional for service. Halliburton safety moments are popular within the oil and gas industry, and organizations that prioritize safety can promote meaningful change that prevents injuries and accidents.
Lift Your Car
Lifting your car is a necessary step to changing your oil. Depending on your vehicle, you’ll need to use a hoist, ramps, or jack stands. Start by parking your vehicle on a level surface and engaging the parking brake. Once you’ve done that, you can place the jack underneath the frame at the specified jack points of the vehicle. Make sure to lift the car high enough so you have enough room to work under it. It’s important to be extra careful during this process as it’s not a task for everybody. Doing it properly is key to ensuring safety while you work on changing your oil.
Locate the Oil Filter and Drain Plug
In order to locate the oil filter and drain plug, first lift the car so that you can access it. The oil filter is typically located under the hood and can be unscrewed counterclockwise by hand or with an oil filter wrench. The drain plug is a long bolt head typically located beneath the engine block at the bottom of the pan. After locating these two components, you can then safely drain out the old oil and replace it with fresh oil. Taking this step is essential to keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Prepare the Vehicle
Before changing the oil, it is important to properly prepare the vehicle. Start by parking it on a level surface and engaging the parking brake before turning off the engine. If necessary, raise the front of the vehicle with jack stands so that it is at a suitable height for draining and refilling the oil. This will ensure that the oil can be drained and refilled safely and correctly. After making sure that the vehicle is secure, you can proceed to locate the oil filter and drain plug.
Remove the Drain Pan
Once the engine is off the jack stands, it’s time to remove the drain pan. Using a flat drain pan, place it under the oil drain plug and use the proper size wrench to loosen the plug. Carefully remove the plug by hand and slowly let all of the old oil drain into the pan. Make sure you place the catch basin far enough away from the engine to ensure that no oil will drip onto other components. Once all of the used oil has been drained, use a funnel to pour it into a proper recycling container.
Take the Car Off Jack Stands
Once you have finished draining the oil, it is time to take your car off the jack stands. To do this, make sure the car is in park with the parking brake engaged. Make sure that the ground is level, as this will help keep your car balanced when it is taken off the jack stands. Start by lowering the jack until it is just under the car and then slowly lower it until all four wheels are on the ground. Once all four wheels are on the ground, double-check that your car is secure and stable before driving away.
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Pull a Sample from your Dirty Oil
Taking a sample of the dirty oil is an important step for any oil change. To do this, you need the right tools, such as a sampling pump and a sample bottle. Start by wiping off the sample port with a clean cloth, then insert the sampling pump needle into the port. Pump the plunger until the bottle is 3/4 full. This will help to ensure that you have an accurate sample of your dirty oil. Once you have your sample, you can move on to adding fresh oil and completing your oil change.
Add Fresh Oil
Adding fresh oil is an important step in the oil change process. Before adding the oil, it is important to first use a funnel to pour the oil slowly into the engine’s oil fill spout. The amount of fresh oil used should be equal to the amount of old oil that was drained from the engine. Once all the fresh oil has been added, screw on the oil filler cap firmly and ensure that it is not over-tightened. Lastly, check the dipstick to make sure that the correct amount of oil has been added and that the color of the oil is light honey.
Reinstall the Under-Cover
Once the oil has been changed and the new filter is in place, it’s time to reinstall the under-cover. This part is a bit tricky and requires some patience, as it may be difficult to get the cover back in place. Be sure to follow any instructions that came with the cover when reinstalling it. Start by lining up the cover over the engine, then firmly press it down until you hear a “click” or feel it lock in place. Finally, double-check that all of the clips are secure and that none of them have come loose during installation. With this step complete, your car is ready for its next oil change!
Park Vehicle on Level Surface & Engage the Parking Brake
Once the new oil has been added and the under-cover has been reinstalled, it’s time to park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake. This is an important step in ensuring that your oil change goes as planned. Make sure that the ground is level and free from debris before you park the car. Once parked, engage the parking brake firmly to prevent any movement of the vehicle while you are working on it. This will ensure that your oil change goes smoothly and that no accidents occur due to unexpected movement of the vehicle. Also Read, THE 15 MOST FREQUENTLY REPLACED AUTO PARTS
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing the oil in your vehicle is an important part of keeping it running smoothly and reliably. Doing this yourself can save you money and provide peace of mind knowing that the job has been done correctly. Make sure to always use the correct oil and filter for your vehicle, clear any debris from the work area, and always use jack stands when lifting your car. This process may seem intimidating at first, but with a few simple steps and some patience, you will be able to change the oil in your car like a pro. If you are interested for more car tips follow us.