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| Learn2 |
Change
Your Oil
(5 steps) |
|
"Forty bucks for an oil change!?!"
Yes folks, forty bucks buys a whole lot of cornflakes. That's one of the
major reasons why so many people change their own oil. There's a small
initial investment for supplies, but you'll make that back the first time
you do it yourself. Just ask your Great-Uncle Leopold if he ever had a
stranger change his jalopy's oil, then watch his face change color three
times in twenty seconds as he realizes that you're serious.
Before you begin
"Does my oil even need to be changed?" you ask. Manufacturer's
recommendations are once every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the car.
Most folks change it once every 6,000 miles. Conventional wisdom says that
changing more often is better, but some experts now disagree.
Changing oil can be a messy job, so wear old clothes and have some hand
cleaner handy. Make sure that your car is parked on a level grade, rather
than on any sort of hill or inclined driveway. You'll need some place to
take your old oil, so call a few gas stations or town hall to find out who
recycles used oil.
Warm oil drains more easily than cold oil, so run your engine for just a
few minutes before you start. But be very careful: Don't let the
oil get too hot, as some may splash on you. |
Step 2: Position the car
Again, make sure that you're on level ground, and that there are no cats
sitting on top of your nice, warm engine block.
- Set the metal ramps in front of your front tires, and drive your car up
onto them. It can help to have a friend around to tell you when to stop.
Set your emergency brake. If you have a manual transmission, put the car in
first gear. If you have an automatic, set it to Park. Place the wheel blocks
under the rear wheels to prevent any chance of the car rolling back.
Step 3: Drain the old oil
Again, watch out for hot oil! It's not a bad idea to wear safety glasses or even
prescription glasses.
- Take your wrench and shallow pan and crawl under the car. Find the oil
plug under the engine block that unscrews on the underside of the oil pan.
- Place the shallow pan under the plug and unscrew the plug
(counter-clockwise) with the wrench. (If the wrench slips and starts to
round off the bolt head, try a socket wrench instead.)
- The oil will stream out rapidly, so be careful. Chances are, the plug will
fall into the pan along with the oil. Don't worry when it happens.
When all the oil has drained into the pan, fish out the plug (here's where
rubber gloves come in handy) and screw it back in. Tighten it firmly, but not so
hard that you strip the threads.
Step 4: Change the filter
Always change the filter whenever you change the oil. Clean oil + a dirty filter
= dirty oil.
- You'll be able to access the old filter from either above or below the
car. Place the oil filter wrench around the filter's body. It will tighten
itself up when you turn the wrench counter-clockwise to remove the oil
filter.
- The old filter may stick initially, but will then unscrew easily. Unscrew
it completely and carefully put it aside. It will be full of oil.
- Dip your fingertip in the old oil (convenient) or take a few drops from a
new quart of oil (cleaner). Use it to lubricate the circular edge of the new
filter, where it will contact the metal engine surface.
- Screw the new filter in with your hand, and tighten it firmly without
overtightening--one quarter turn after snug.
| Learn2 |
Change
Your Oil (continued) |
|
Step 5:
Finish it up
You're almost home! All you have to do is add the new oil and clean up.
- On top of the engine you'll find a knob that says "oil."
Unscrew it and pour in the amount and type of oil recommended for your
car. Look in your manual for the location of the knob if it's not
obvious. Save the bottles for the disposal of the old oil.
- Screw the knob back on and wipe the area clean with the rag. Close
the hood and start the engine.
- With the engine running, carefully check around the filter for any
leaks. A leak will appear as some seepage at the oil filter connection
or on the filter. If there is a leak, tighten up the oil filter a
little more. If no leaks are found, back the car off of the ramps.
Pour the oil out of the pan, and using the funnel, transfer it to the
empty oil bottles or milk containers. Take the used oil to the motor oil
recycler that you found (you did find one, right?).-end- HOME |