Although its quite simple, many people are unsure of how to change their own oil. Changing the oil in your vehicle is a very important part of keeping it running correctly, and forgetting to change your oil can lead to dire consequences. Essentially, the oil in your vehicle is the lubrication that allows for various metal components to rub against one another smoothly. Without oil, these components would quickly break down due to heat and wear. Also, by not changing your oil on a regular basis, you may end up with dirty sludge in your engine, leading to slowed performance and component damage.
Before you change your oil, you need to know how many miles youve driven since your last oil change. Most experts recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles, or every three months, whichever comes sooner. You also should find out what type of oil your vehicle requires. You can do this by looking in your owners manual or by consulting with your vehicles manufacturer. Youll also need to gather up some supplies. Some rags or paper towels for cleaning, an oil pan to catch the old oil, five quarts of new oil, a new oil filter and a wrench to remove the drain plug. Because its recommended to replace your oil filter when you change your oil, you will also want a wrench to remove the filter.
To get started, you may need to jack up your vehicle to get underneath it comfortably. This should be done on a flat, stable surface, and you may want to add some ramps to keep the car from rolling. Once you can get underneath your vehicle, locate the drain plug under the engine. If you are unable to find it, consult with your owners manual. Place your oil pan underneath the drain plug, accounting for the plugs angle, and then remove the plug with your wrench. After all of the oil has been drained, replace the plug. Position your oil pan underneath the filter, remove it and allow it to drain into the oil pan. Once this is done, set aside the old filter and connect the new one.
From here, all thats left to do is pour in the new oil. Locate the How To Find Oil Leaks”>oil cap on top of your engine bloc, remove it and then pour in the new oil. Its best to use a funnel to avoid messes. Once you have poured in your five quarts, replace the oil cap, lower your vehicle off of any jacks and ramps and then run the engine for a few minutes, as this allows the new oil to circulate. Afterward, simply check your dipstick to ensure a proper oil level and youre done!
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