As engine oil is breakdown your service charges can add up. With the few simple steps you can change your motor oil yourself saving time and money and auto manufactures recommend that motor oil changed every 6,000 miles for normal service or every 3,000 miles for severe service. Check out your car owner's manual. Run the car's engine for 10 minutes before you drain the oil, because warm oil drains faster than cold oil. Park the car on a level surface and engage the parking brake then turn off the engine. Note that modern engines run at high temperatures, hot oil can burn you easily so let the engine cool down. If your car has a low clearance, raise it by driving it up onto a ramp or by jacking it up securely.
Never get under a car supported only by one jack. You will need two jack stands to support the front of the car after jacking it up. Crawl underneath the car and locate the oil drain plug underneath the engine usually by the front center of the car, consult your car owner's manual for the location. Place an oil-drain pan under the plug and loosen the plug with a socket wrench. Remove the bolts, turning counterclockwise. Use your hands to remove the plug bracing yourself for a rush of hot oil. You may need to reposition the pan to catch an unexpected drips. When the oil stops draining, replace the plug gasket.
Reinstall the drain plug, turning the bolts or screws clockwise with your fingers. Avoid crossing the threads. If it seems even slightly hard to turn, back it out. Wipe off the drain plug. Tighten with a wrench or socket again, without overdoing it. Now replace the oil filter, locate the existing one, probably on the side of the engine. Place the oil pan underneath the filter, to catch leftover oil, turning counterclockwise, use an adjustable oil filter wrench to unscrew the old filter making sure you get it from the rubber seal. Clean off the area with a rag.
Apply a thin coat of oil the new filter's gasket, to help it seal better. Install the new oil filter. First make contact with the gasket, screwing the new filter into place by hand. Use the oil filter wrench to snug it up another quarter turn. If you tighten it too much and then you will hard time removing it again, tighten it too little and you have a gush of oil when you run your vehicle.
Unlatch the hood of the car and find the oil filter cap, checking the valve covers. Remove the cap, insert a funnel. And add the new oil. Most engines hold 4-5 quarts, but if you add too much, your car may stall. Replace the cap and run the engine. The oil warning light should go out. Otherwise, check the dipstick and add oil if need be. Look for oil leaks, of you see any tighten the plug or oil filter. Wipe off the oil and you are done. Do not dump old oil anywhere, take it to a recycling center or an auto repair shop.
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