Honda Civic Car Engine Maintenance in Changing Oil Filter

One way of doing car engine maintenance is changing and oil filter. It is done once a car reaches 3,000 miles or when it reaches 3 months with the use of standard oils. But with synthetic oils, it can last for double the time period and travel distance.Now, before you change the oil filter, it is recommended to use either of the 5w-30 or 10w-30 conventional oils, type SJ. On the other hand, you can try and use synthetic oils if you prefer.Let us begin to change the oil filter. Fist you need to raise and support the front of the car high enough to safely and comfortably get underneath. Make sure to secure the car with wheel chocks and jack stands for safe and secure working environment.Locate the oil filter, usually found on the back side of the engine. Then match the old filter to the new one, just to make sure it fits. Then loosen and remove the drain plug from the oil pan, found close to the belt, with the use of a wrench. But before that, make sure to use an appropriate pan to drain the oil. Do not attempt to use empty washer fluid or coolant bottles because of its small opening, oil may spill out. Then remove the oil filter and allow both the plug and oil filter to drain.When the oil is completely drained, place a bead of oil on the rubber gasket of the new filter and install it along with the drain plug. As a reminder, do not use an impact gun to remove or install a drain plug for it will strip the threads from the bolt or damage the oil pan.For proper car engine maintenance, wipe off the excess oil from the side of the engine under the oil filter before you lower your car. Popup the hood and use a small funnel that fits into the filter hole and pour in your new oil into the oil filter. And after, you can start up and run the engine of your car for a couple of minutes. Turn off the engine and check the oil levels again. Make sure it is at appropriate level. Just add more if needed.This is an easy task that can be done roughly 30 to 45 minutes. So why bother taking your car for car engine maintenance to a shop just to change an oil filter while you can do it yourself.