Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, staring down the barrel of an oil service indicator light and wondering if today's the day? The day you take matters into your own hands and learn how to change car oil? Changing your car's oil might seem like you’re stepping into uncharted and hazardous territory. Yet, it’s truly not that complicated.
With just a bit of guidance and some elbow grease, you’ll be able to master it quickly. And that’s what this article is intended to do - we will help you learn how to change your car oil step by step. So, let’s start at the beginning.
Understanding When to Replace Your Car Oil
If you’re looking to service your own car, one of the basic things you need to learn is how to change your car oil. Naturally, this also means knowing when to do it. You’ve probably gotten advice that you should change your oil about every 5,000km. While that was true a decade or two ago, there’s no longer any need to religiously stick to the 5,000km rule.
With advances in engines and oil quality, many car makers suggest waiting anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 km before an oil change. But here's the best advice that we can give - always check your owner’s manual first because it knows best. Similarly, your oil light (if working properly) will indicate that you need an oil change when you’ve clocked enough kilometres.
However, many modern cars have two lights relating to the oil system - the one that tells you that you need an oil change and another that indicates that oil pressure is low. Low oil pressure could mean that the oil is dirty or that you are low on oil, both of which can be solved by changing your engine oil and filters, but it could also mean you have an oil leak; if the latter is true, you should visit a mechanic ASAP to find and resolve the leak.
Preparatory Steps for Changing Your Oil
Once you’ve determined that you need an oil change, you should first do a bit of prep work. In short, changing your oil involves:
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Draining the oil
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Putting in new oil
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Removing old oil filters
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Installing new oil filters
That also means you need to know the type of engine oil and the type of oil filter your car uses, so, again, consult the owner’s manual.
We should also note that you can change your car oil without changing your oil filter, however, both things are usually done at once. For one, the service life of engine oil and oil filters is more or less the same in most instances, so if one needs changing, the other one probably does too. Plus, it’s simply practical to do both at the same time.
In the same manner, you can change your oil filter without changing your car oil. You may want to do this if you are upgrading your oil filter or if it became clogged prematurely. In case this is what you are looking to do, here is a detailed guide on how to change your oil filter without changing your oil.
However, as it’s standard practice to change both your oil and filter at the same time, that’s what this article will cover. In case you just wish to change your engine oil, simply skip the steps that relate to changing your filter. With that digression done, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need.
Essential Tools and Equipment for Changing Car Oil
You’ll need basic hand tools, an oil filter wrench, a drain pan, replacement oil and filters, and a jack stand. You can use a regular car jack to lift up your car, but that is unsafe. We must stress that working under a car supported only by a car jack is not recommended. Alternatively, you can find a place with a grease pit and everything will be much easier. Additionally, it’s a good idea to wear gloves to prevent direct contact between the oil and your skin.
Once you have everything you need, it’s time to change the oil.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Car Oil
Changing your car oil is a breeze if you have everything set up properly. You need to:
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Safely lift up your car.
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Locate the oil drain plug. It will be somewhere in the undercarriage. Most modern cars have a plastic undertray that you will need to remove to access the drain plug. You’ll need only basic hand tools to remove this.
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Remove the undertray and check for signs of oil leaks - if you find some, it’s recommended to consult a mechanic.
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Set up your drain pan below the drain plug so that the oil doesn’t spill on the ground. Depending on your car, you can expect at least 3l of oil to drain and potentially much more, so make sure your drain pan has the volume to contain it.
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Unscrew the drain plug and wait until the oil completely drains.
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Once the oil is completely drained, it’s time to put back the drain plug. Tighten the drain plug gently until it’s a snug fit. You do not need to use all of your strength and over tighten it - this can damage the plug and oil pan.
Changing the Oil Filter
While the oil is draining, it’s time to change your oil filter. There are two types of primary oil filters: cartridge filters and spin-on filters. For cartridge filters, you’ll likely need a basic socket and wrench to loosen it, while you may need an oil filter wrench to loosen a spin-on filter. With everything in hand, you need to:
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Locate your oil filter. Check your manual to see where it’s located - it could be in the undercarriage, relatively close to the oil drain plug, or underneath your bonnet (in this case, you may need to remove the engine cover to access it).
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Loosen the filter until you can remove it by hand and remove it. You may also need a dish to drain the small amount of oil that’s in the filter. Once you remove it, check whether the filter gasket is stuck to the mounting surface; if it is, remove it. Also clean the mounting surface.
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To change a cartridge filter, you’ll replace just the cartridge element and not the casing. To change a spin-on filter, you’ll be replacing the entire filter. Additionally, check your manual again to see if you need to fill the new filter with oil; if yes, then fill it.
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While you are changing your oil filter, it’s also recommended to replace the gasket to prevent future leaks.
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Now you need to put the new filter back in. First, apply a thin coating of clean oil on the gasket to create a good seal against the engine. Then, put the filter back on and, like with the drain plug, tighten it gently. Tighten until it’s hand tight and then only ¼ to ¾ of a turn more. Overtightening your filter can damage the gasket and cause leaks.
Adding New Oil
This is the simple part. After you’ve drained the oil, put the plug back in, and changed the oil filter, it’s time to fill up your car with new oil. The oil cap where you need to pour the oil is under your bonnet and should have an oil can symbol on it. It’s highly recommended that you use a funnel to prevent any spills. Fill the engine with the appropriate amount of oil; a quick check with a dipstick can ensure you've hit the mark just right - and you’re done!
You now know how to change your car oil.
Where Can You Get Everything You Need to Change Your Oil?
By this point, you’re equipped with the right knowledge, but do you have the tools and replacements you need? If not, you can get it from Superspares. We have all the car service tools you may need, premium oil filters, and high-quality engine oil for all types of engines. Simply place your order online and we’ll deliver it right to your doorstep. In case you have questions or need more advice, don’t hesitate to contact us - we’ll gladly help you in any way we can.
