Oil Change: Opening The Pan And Draining The Waste

There is more to switching out lubricant yourself than just simply draining and filling it back up. In fact the schedule for how often to do the work involves considering how long ago the car was made and how it is driven. Doing the actual work of an oil change is pretty straightforward but, as with anything, there is a right way and a wrong way to perform the maintenance. Here we go over the most difficult and commonly done wrong method. That is opening the drain pan and emptying the waste.

First of all make sure to set the hand brake before performing any work at all. Next place jack stands beneath all four corners and to suspend the vehicle evenly. Once it is in the air double check that all of the individual stands are safe and secure. The last thing you want is for the whole thing to come crashing down, particularly if you are underneath it. Next slip a drip pan or a specially designed plastic tray underneath the drain plug in the bottom of the pan. The oil change will begin when you open the drain plug and let the waste pour out for collection. Set this waste aside and no matter how tempting or easy it seems do not pour it down the drain or sink. It is highly toxic and illegal. Instead keep it in an approved container and take it to a toxic waste disposal site. They will recycle it and if anything only charge you a nominal fee. Be sure while doing this that you make sure that all of the lubricant drains out and that you inspect it for contaminants. If there are shards of metal something could be damaged. If you see water or coolant a head gasket of block may have been cracked. Regardless of what it is, if there is anything in there but lube and gunk there could be a need for repairs and sooner rather than later.

Next after you have drained everything out it is time to close the pan up and finish the hard part of the oil change. First make sure that the washer that protects the plug is not cracked or bet. It should be a small copper circle that is flat and smooth. If it is damaged replace it. Next take the plug and screw it back on by hand until it is tight and then turn a quarter turn with the wrench. It is bad to over tighten it and it should not come loose of its own accord.

Performing the first part of an oil change is easy. It simply requires some diligence and attention to what one is doing and a regard for the environment and safety.