How to Change Oil

You are probably here because you wanna know how to do an oil change on a car. In this brief post you will learn how to do an oil change in your car through step by step procedure. Oil changing is the basic and most important service that is done on the car. The proper function of an engine depends on it.

If you decide to do the oil change by yourself make sure you prepare the proper tools before starting. A useful tip: wear some old clothing, if you are doing this the first time you are bound to get some oil on you. Wear some thinner gloves, when old engine oil gets stuck on your hands it’s pretty hard to get off.

Tools That You Will Need to Change Oil

• a car jack (the professional one, not the one from your car), The bigger the car jack is, the more safe you’ll be.
• two retainers (that will hold the weight of the car when you lift it up)
• a proper wrench for loosening the screw on the oil pan
• an oil filter wrench.
• a proper container in which to catch the old oil once it starts coming out. Have a big enough one so you can catch all the oil at once.

We advise that the oil changing is done while the engine is still warm (NOT HOT !!). More of the old oil will get out this way.If you can put your bare hand on the engine and not get burned, you can proceed.

First the Positioning of the Car For the Oil Change Procedure

It’s preferable that you have a car canal. Since most people don’t, follow the next steps :

1. Pull the handbrake!
2. Put the car jack in place (the same place where you put your standard carjack when changing the front tire).
3. Lift it up to a safe height (meaning you can get under the car, in laying position, safely)
4. Put the retainer in place and lower the car down.
5. Do this procedure on the other side of the car in the same manner. Do one side at a time!!!

Positioning the car properly is a matter of your own safety!! Make sure that the car is standing on the retainers safely (there must be no wobbling or swinging). Try to budge the car a little, from front to back and sideways. If it doesn’t move it’s safe to proceed.

Important: Secure the car!!! Otherwise, you are risking that the car will literally fall on your head while changing the oil!!!

Changing Oil Procedure

Changing Oil Filter

In the meantime, change the oil filter. Depending on the location of the filter, you can do it under the car or standing up. That’s up to you. While you wait to change the oil filter-

1. Take the oil filter wrench and put it in a tight grip around the filter. Put it in a position where you can turn the wrench.
2. Turn (counter-clockwise). Oil will leak from the filter, don’t worry that’s normal. Just watch that you don’t get any on yourself.
3. Once you’ve unscrewed the filter, take it out holding the filter up-side so the remaining oil in the filter stays in.
4. When the leaking stops on the filter holder (on the engine), wipe it clean with a cloth.
   That’s the removing part. Before proceeding further, make sure that the oil isn’t dripping anymore from the oil pan, clean the oil leaks, and remove the oil container.

Adding Fresh Oil

Now it’s time for a fresh oil:

1. Put the oil filter back in place (take out the new one and screw it on). Tighten it by hand. (note: a good thing to do is to lubricate the filter gasket with some of the new oil, apply a thin film which will reduce the friction while screwing on).
2. Put the oil pan screw back in place and tighten (not too much, you don’t want to damage the oil pan). (Note: some screws have a sealing plate, against leaks. Check it, if it’s worn out replace it with a new one).
3. Raise the car up again with the jack and remove the retainers. Do it one side at a time.
4. Pour the new oil in the engine. Check the car manual on how much oil is needed. If you spill some oil, wipe it immediately.
5. Pull out the oil measurement stick. It will probably be near maximum, that’s because the filter hasn’t drawn oil yet.
6. If you can, try to bypass the ignition (the car cranks but doesn’t start). This helps oil pressure build-up and filter-filling in the engine before the car starts.
7. If you can’t do that, start the engine. Don’t be afraid, the oil signal on the dashboard will be lit up a few seconds more then usual. This is because it takes some time for the filter to fill up and the oil pressure to stabilize.
8. Once the oil signal lamp is off, let the car run so it heat’s up a bit. Check for leaks on the filter and oil pan.
9. Turn off the car and once it’s cooled down, check the oil again. The level should be between minimum and maximum.
10. Dispose of the oil in a correct and environmentally sound manner. Be sure not to leave any tools under the hood or the car.

A pretty long procedure, I know you’ll say. Don’t be afraid, once you do it by yourself you’ll see it’s not that complicated. In time, it will become a routine procedure and you will know how to change oil very fast. Remember, safety first and always prepare yourself for the job (proper tools, clothing, etc.). We advise to do a simulation first so you can perhaps anticipate possible problems.