Do-It-Yourself Oil Change
Performing your own oil change maintenance is actually quite easy. There are only 3 major steps and a few precautions and considerations but otherwise anyone can learn how to do it.
If you are interested in learning how to perform an oil change yourself,
you’ll be happy to know that it’s not as hard as you might think. You could save an average of 50-60% off mechanic’s fees by learning how to do it yourself. The process is quite simple. First, you need to drain out the old oil. Second, replace the oil filter. Third, add the new oil and you’re done! Seems pretty straightforward. You will, however, need the right tools and understand what oil is best suited for your car.
An additional step to consider before an oil change is whether your car is due for one. Check the quality of the oil beforehand just to make sure that it’s necessary to change your oil. If the oil is clean, then you can probably wait a few hundred miles. If the oil looks dirty or thick, it’s time to change your oil.
When you go to perform the first step, make sure that the engine is cool, otherwise you could suffer from severe burns. It’s good to handle oil changes first thing in the morning after the car has sat in your driveway overnight. Also make sure you have a pan to catch all the old oil. It’s important that this be disposed of properly. So when you take your oil plug with a wrench, collecting the oil is an important step. Once all the oil has finished draining, replace the plug.
Next you’ll have to change the filter. When you remove the old oil filter it is wise to move the oil pan under it in case there is any excess that could spill as a result of removing it. When putting in a new filter, a good trick is to run your finger over the filter with some new oil to help it stick better. The most important part about putting in the new filter is that it is in there tight! If it’s not in there tight enough it could fall out when you’re driving. Once secure, try to get it as tight as you can without over tightening it either. This is the trickiest step in the process.
Replacing the oil is now the easiest part about a do-it-yourself oil change. You should, however, be keeping in mind what the best oil to use for your car is. There are a lot of brands out there to choose from. You should choose a brand that meets the American Petroleum Institute standard classification SL. There are also brands that include additives in their formula so that they work better at lubricating and cleaning your engine and keeping it cool. There are also special weights that work better for summer and winter. Your local auto store can help you find the best fit for your car.
Locate the oil filler cap and simply pour the motor oil in, but make sure you’re putting it into the right compartment! Even though this step is simple, a lot of first timers make the mistake of putting it in a different location. Make sure you only put as much oil as your car can handle to get the most our of your oil change.
It’s easy to handle and oil change on your own. Just make sure to follow all the steps and take the right precautions. If you are a frequent driver, you could save hundreds over the life of your car by learning how to do it yourself.
