How To Change Oil Yourself

Total words: 625

Current rating for this essay is: 10

Changing your cars oil regularly is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of your car. You can also save time and money, and have peace of mind, knowing that the job was done right.

Mechanics charge around $35 to $40 just for a standard oil change and sometimes they do a lousy job and use cheap oil; sometimes you would have to wait about 2 hours before they finish. The job costs around $20, it's easy and takes about 30 minutes.

Check your owner's manual for the vehicle's oil capacity and drain plug location. For most jobs, you will need 4 or 5 quarts of oil, an oil filter wrench, a box-end wrench the size of your drain plug, a funnel, rags, a pan, a jack and jackstands, and, of course, a new oil filter appropriate for your car or truck.\For the first step, raise the car with the jack. After the car is at a good height, set the parking brake and set the jackstands on each side of the car to make sure it is securely supported. A very important note to remember is to never work under a car supported only by a jack, it is dangerous.
Next, Use the box-end wrench, loosen the drain plug; if you do not know which way to turn the wrench, just remember this phrase "lefty loosy, righty tighty". Slide the drain pan under the drain plug. Unscrew the plug. When the plug is ready to come out, quickly pull it out of the way. Hold on to the plug so it doesn't drop into the drain pan. Let the oil drain for at least five minutes, then clean the plug with a rag and reinstall it. Make sure the oil is not hot, if it is too hot, just give it a couple of minutes to cool down.

For the next step, loosen the oil filter using the oil filter wrench. After you loosen it, remove it slowly and position the oil pan near the area just in case oil drips out. After that is done, use a rag and wipe the area where the oil filter was. After that is done, smear a few drops of clean oil on the new filter's ring gasket. Put the new filter on by hand. Make sure the filter is on tight, but not too tight.

Next, look at the engine, and search for the engine oil fill hole and clean the area around the fill cap. Using a clean, dry funnel, add the new oil. Don't spill any on the engine. If you do, wipe it up immediately. Replace the oil fill cap, move the oil pan out of the way and look under the car for leaks. Check the oil level on the dipstick (it may be slightly over the mark until you run the engine) and start the engine. Lower the car and recheck the dipstick level to make sure the oil is up to the full mark.

Now for the last step. Pour the used oil back into oil bottles or into an old container, don't forget to use the funnel, spills are most likely going to happen. Don't just throw away the oil in the trash. Bring the old oil to your closest auto shop, and they will take your old oil.

There are only a few basic reasons why it is necessary to change your oil. In the end, it's all worth it. You are able to save money; avoiding mechanic fees. You are able to save time doing the oil change yourself as opposed to setting up an appointment with a mechanic, and waiting for him to finish the job. And having the peace of mind knowing it was done correctly.