How To Change Your Cars Engine Oil
It is extremely important to keep your cars engine well lubricated with good quality motor oil. Certain types of oil such as fully synthetic, can offer increased oil change intervals by a fraction. Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can do to help increase the life and performance of the engine. Unsure as to what all the numbers mean (ie. 15W/40) when you go looking for new oil? Take a read at our Synthetic vs Mineral oil guide which explains the two main types of oil and what these numbers mean. Check your owners manual for recommended oil change intervals.
You will need
- Disposable gloves
- Plenty of clean cloths
- Drain plug removal tool
- Oil filter wrench
- Drain plug sealing washer
- Drain pan for used engine oil (5 Litres)
- Motor oil (See owners manual for correct grade)
- Oil filter
Prepare you vehicle
- Jack up front of car and place on axle stands
- Disconnect battery earth (-) negative lead
- Ensure engine is warm and not hot
1. Put on gloves and proceed to remove engine oil filler cap. Place drain pan directly under oil sump with drain plug in centre.
2. Loosen drain plug slightly with spanner and continue to remove slowly by hand. Move the drain plug away quickly from the flow of oil into drain pan or you may get covered in oil.
3. Allow plenty of time for all oil to drain from the engine and replace drain plug with new sealing washer.
4. Position drain pan under oil filter. Loosen oil filter with oil filter wrench and proceed to unscrew by hand. As the oil filter comes away from the engine, you will likely see oil pour from the oil filter seal.
5. Wipe some new engine oil on rubber seal of new oil filter and wipe away dirt and oil from oil filter sealing ring on engine. Screw new oil filter in place firmly by hand then lower the car to the ground with the jack. Now refit negative lead to battery.
6. Pour around 3/4 of the total recommended volume as in the owners/Haynes manual and check oil level with dipstick after a couple of minutes. Start engine and run for a few minutes then switch off. If the dipstick shows the oil below ‘Max’ then add a little more oil. Continue adding little oil at a time in order to reach ‘Max’ on the oil dipstick. Be careful not to overfill as this may cause oil leaks and possibly damage your engine.
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