Oil Change: Switching out the Filter

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Performing basic auto maintenance on one's own is fun and offers a sense of accomplishment that is not the same as when one simply goes to a local mechanic shop. Some things are, of course, better left to the pros but for one type of maintenance if you have the time and space it is great to do it yourself. It is fun to do an oil change on one's own. Many people have the basic routine down but not everyone has done this slightly less common aspect of the work. Removing and replacing the filter is easy, but requires a little bit of knowledge to do it right and get the most out of it.

Generally speaking a driver should replace the filter every other time they have an oil change, or at least twice a year. Of course if the car is often in the mud or dust it should be done more often, but only the owner can tell if that is necessary. For most vehicles made in the past several decades, the filter is one self-contained unit. After locating it and before removing it, put the pan you would use to catch the lubricant underneath so as to catch any remnants still left inside. It is necessary to have a wrench designed for this, as the piece is delicate and specifically designed. If removing the old one is proving difficult and you have a replacement handy, it is sometimes necessary and perfectly acceptable to just spear through the old piece and use the screwdriver as a lever to unscrew it. For the new filter take a dab of grease and lube the gasket to keep it from catching. Then tighten the unit by hand and give it a good three quarters turn with the wrench.

In an older car, the whole unit sits on top of the engine in a canister and the pressure actually pushes it up into and through it. In this case, loosen the canister and have a rag ready to catch any drips off of the bottom and keep them off the other parts. Then properly dispose of the old insert and clean the canister out thoroughly. This can be done with any solvent but gasoline works well also. When it is totally clean put a new cartridge in making sure the right side is up. Finally put it back on and tighten down the lid making sure to not over tighten and torque the parts.

Performing one's own oil change is easy and it is even easy to change the filter on your own. With the correct knowledge there is no limit to how easily or how often you can do this simple and necessary maintenance.