Changing the engine oil and oil filter is one of the most important things you should do to keep your car in good condition. Over time, the engine oil will deteriorate and the oil filter will become full of dirt. Depending on your driving habits and the engine type of your car, the time period can range from 3 months or about 5000 km to 24 months or about 32,000 km (make sure to follow your vehicle's instructions for service period). Fortunately, changing the oil is an easy and inexpensive job. So, the sooner you change your oil when needed, the better.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Disposing of Oil
Step 1. Pick up your car
Use jacks and supports. On a flat surface install the handbrake and jack of your car, holding it in place with the support. Incorrect positioning of the stand can damage your car, so make sure you read your car's user manual. And it's also very dangerous to work under a car standing on a jack, so make sure you put your car on a stand.
If you are using a jack to lift your vehicle, be sure to support the wheels of your car with a block. Have someone guide you as you raise the jack, to make sure you don't go too far
Step 2. Warm up your car for a while to allow the oil to warm up
2 to 3 minutes is enough to let the oil run a little thinner and it will flow faster. Solid particles of dirt will be mixed in the oil and tend to settle when the oil cools. Let it flow, so that the cylinder will be completely clean.
- While the engine is still running, prepare the necessary tools. You'll need new oil, a new oil filter, an old tray and newspaper to hold the used oil, and maybe a socket wrench and a flashlight. Read your car's instructions to determine the type of oil and filter you need.
- The auto repair shop will be able to explain what type of oil and oil filter you need as long as you can mention the make and model of your car.
Step 3. Open the oil cover
Open the hood and find the position of the oil cover on the top of your engine. This is where you will add new oil after the old oil is removed. By opening this oil cap, the old oil will flow more easily because there is airflow at the top of the cylinder.
Step 4. Locate the oil sump
At the bottom of the engine, look for a flat body that is closer to the engine. There is a cover bolt at the base. It is this cover bolt that you have to unscrew to remove the old oil. Place the tray and some old newspapers just under the drain hole to catch the old oil.
If you can't figure out which is the oil sump and gearbox, try starting the engine for five to ten minutes. The oil cover bolt will feel hot. The transmission body will not feel hot
Step 5. Unscrew the cover bolt
Loosen by turning counterclockwise. Use a socket wrench when you have room to move. You'll also need to open and replace the paper seal on the bolt, but if the seal is metal, it can be reused if it's still in good condition.
- The oil will drain from the tub as soon as you open it, and the flow will be slightly slanted, a bit difficult to contain. Once you have loosened the bolt using the key, open it completely by hand. Make sure you place the tray and old newspapers underneath before you unscrew the bolts. Also be careful not to dip the bolts in the oil-filled tray, as they will be difficult to retrieve. If you drop it in the tray, use a magnet to pick it up. Ideally, use some kind of magnetic rod at the end.
- Another way to "rescue" the cover bolt is to use a funnel. Take the bolt using the funnel, once the bolt falls into the funnel, grab it immediately.
- If you need a tool to remove the oil bolt, the tubular part of the socket wrench can be used. If you need to use this tool, it means the bolt is too tight.
- In this process, your hands and clothes may become stained with oil. To ease your task in cleaning your garage later, put a few pieces of old newspaper so that the oil spill doesn't get too dirty on the floor.
Step 6. Wait
It will take a few minutes before all the old oil comes out of the drain hole. When all the oil has drained out, replace the cover bolt. first tighten by hand to secure the bolt groove, then tighten again with a wrench. Don't forget to replace the bolt seals if necessary.
When you peek under the car engine, try to find some kind of blue or white cylinder. That's the oil filter. This is the next one you will replace
Method 2 of 4: Replacing the Oil Filter
Step 1. Find the position of the oil filter
The filters are not in the same position, so it could be on the front, rear or side of the engine, depending on the type of car. Just look at the new filter you're about to install, that's the kind of thing you should find. Generally, oil filters are white, blue or black, cylindrical 10-15 cm long and about 8 cm wide, like a food can.
Some cars, such as the new BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, may have a filter in the form of an element or cartridge instead of a rotating cylinder. You must open the lid of the filter reservoir and lift the filter
Step 2. Remove the oil filter
Hold it firmly and slowly turn it counterclockwise. Plastic and oil coating will make the oil filter tube slippery, use a cloth or rough gloves to help the filter opening process. The filter remover is usually a rubber belt to grip the filter tube, which you can make from an old fan belt you might find in your garage.
- Make sure the old oil collection tray is still in place. There may still be some oil in the filter tube which will flow when the filter is opened.
- When removing the oil filter, make sure the circular rubber seal is also removed. If it is still attached to the engine, the new filter may not be able to seal and oil will leak. So, if it's still stuck, just pull it gently with your fingers or pry it up with a screwdriver to remove the sticky part.
- To prevent leakage that is too large when opening the filter, you can first wrap it in a plastic bag, to collect the oil that flows, turn the oil filter over and leave it in the plastic.
Step 3. Prepare the new filter
Dip your fingertips in the new oil, and apply it around the circular seal on the new filter, to lubricate it and form a good seal, and make it easier to remove at a later date.
You can also pour a little oil into the new oil filter before reinstalling this will reduce the time it takes for the engine to regain sufficient oil pressure. If the oil filter is installed in a vertical position, you can fill it almost full. If it is tilted, the oil may spill a little when installing the oil filter
Step 4. Install the new oil filter that has been lubricated carefully, not to damage the groove
In general, there are instructions on how tightly you can attach the filter. Check the specifications on the box for more specific instructions. In general, you should tighten the filter until the seal touches the engine and turn it another quarter turn.
Method 3 of 4: Pouring New Oil
Step 1. Pour new oil into the filling hole
The amount should match your car's instructions for use, usually in the "capacity" section.
- If you pour the oil with the mouth of the bottle still up, the oil will flow more smoothly without air bubbles.
- Make sure you are using the correct oil. In general, you can use 10W-30 oil, but you should check this by reading your car's user manual, or an experienced mechanic in a repair shop.
- Don't always trust the oil gauge mark for the right size. The results can be wrong, especially if the engine has just stopped spinning. (This sign will show the amount of oil that is lacking, because there is still a lot of rotating oil in the engine). If you want to check accurately, do it in the morning when the car is parked on a flat surface, and the engine is cold.
Step 2. Replace the oil fill cap
Check if there are still tools left around the machine.
It's also good to wipe the oil droplets as clean as possible. While this isn't dangerous, the oil droplets on the engine will evaporate and produce smoke when the engine is hot, which may cause you to panic, as well as create an unpleasant odour
Step 3. Start the machine
Make sure the oil pressure indicator light is off after the engine starts. Put the gear in neutral and the handbrake is installed, then check if there is any oil drip from the engine. If the oil filter or oil cover bolt is not tight enough, a leak may occur. Run your engine for a while to increase the pressure and make sure all parts are properly seated..
Step 4. Reset the oil change indicator light
This may vary depending on the make and type of your car. So, check your car's user manual for the right way. For GM cars, for example, you have to turn off the engine and turn on the ignition without starting the engine. Then, press the gas pedal three times for ten seconds each. when the engine starts, the oil change indicator light has been reset.
Method 4 of 4: Disposing of Used Oil
Step 1. Pour used oil into a sealable container
After you change the oil, pour the used oil from the tray into a more permanent container. Pouring it into the can of oil you just used is a good idea. Use a plastic funnel and pour used oil into it. Mark the can with the words "used oil" so you don't make a mistake later.
- Another way is to use used milk bottles, glass cleaning liquid bottles, or other plastic bottles. Be careful, don't forget to mark the bottle clearly.
- Do not store oil in containers containing chemicals such as bleach, pesticides, paint or antifreeze. This will complicate the recycling process.
Step 2. Make sure your used oil filter is also dry
Just pour the remaining oil in the oil filter so that it is one with the used oil. The oil filter can also be recycled.
Step 3. Find a shelter near you
In most cases, an oil change repair shop can help you. Stores that sell more than 1000 oil filters per year must be willing to accept used filters. Many oil change repair shops will also stock your used pliers, perhaps for a small fee.
Step 4. Try recycled oil next time
The recycled oil has been reprocessed into the equivalent of new oil. This process is easier than using petroleum that has to be mined, and it also helps reduce oil imports. And it's possible that this recycled oil costs less than "new" oil.
Tips
- There are oil drain bolts on the market that make changing oil easier and less messy.
- For an oil filter that is difficult to remove, use a hammer and a large screwdriver as a "chisel" to turn the oil filter counterclockwise. Note, once you make a hole in the filter wall, do not start the engine until the filter is replaced.
- Consider using an eco-friendly oil absorber. This will ensure that your garage stays clean. Products such as kitten litter absorbers or clay-based products are less suitable for this. You can find various forms of oil absorbers that are environmentally friendly, easy to use and recyclable.
- To prevent your hands from getting oiled when you unscrew the cover bolt, when you turn the bolt, keep the bolt pressed up (as if you were about to re-install it). When you feel that the bolt has completely dislodged from its groove, pull it quickly. Maybe only a few drops of oil will hit you. Wrap your wrist with a rag as you unscrew the bolt.
Warning
- Do not make the mistake of distinguishing between the engine oil filling hole and transmission oil. Your transmission can be damaged if you add engine oil.
- Be careful not to scald your skin, the engine parts may still be quite hot even if the engine has been off for a while.
