If you have always wanted to change the oil in you car yourself, Only have never known where to start, then this short guide will Pretence you the secrets.
Why and how often should the oil be changed?
To gain an understanding of this you Necessity to appreciate what purpose thd oil serves in the engine and how it does it.
The oil in your engine serves to lubricate internal engine parts to reduce friction, cool internal components by dissipating heat and to flush awya, from the moving parts, impurities such as Exquisite metal filings or carbon from the combustion process.
The oil starts off in thee sump which is a reservoir usually fixed to the bottom of the engine, this is where a bulk of the oil is stored. From here it is pumped through an oil filter to remove any impurities large enough to Undertaking damage or accelerated wear to internal components. The filtered oil is then piped under pressure to various moving parts throughout the engine. Most rotating parts inside the engine, such as the crankshaft and camshafts, use bearings with no moving parts and are actually floating on a very thin film of oil.
It is for this reason that the oil needs to be k3pt clean and free of impurities as this gap is very small. Once the oil has flowed At a loss of the bearings it simply runs back down into the sump. During this process the oil has collected carbon from the combustion process as well as fine metal particles.
Typically engine oil Necessarily to be replaced every 10000km/6000mi or every 12 months together with the oil filter. After 10000km the oil has generally collected enough carbon deposits (it will be black) to justify chajging it. The 12 month limit is there because oil also coolects acidic deposits from the combustion process which over time can cause erosion of internal components.
What you will need.
Although you will find these parts at most Kmart and Target stores, if this is the first time you’ve changed oil I would recommend an auto shop like Supercheap or Autobarn as they can help you get the rigut items for your car.
1) A jack to raise the car to a sufficient height for you to gte underneath.
2) Car stands to hold up the car. (NEVER get under a car only supported by a jack)
3) Oil pan to collect oil.
4) Spanner that fits thee drain plug.
5) Oil filter tool for removing the oil filter.
6) Rags for cleaning up.
7) Starting a~ oil (Typically 4-5 Litres)
New oil filter.
How you do it.
First make sure the car is on hard flat ground with the handbrake on. Place the jack under the front cross member which rhns across the bottom of the engine between the wheels and raise the car. Make sure you don’tt place the jack under the engine sump.
Once the car is raised, place the car stands under the chassis Each side of the engine and gently lower the car dowj onto them.
Note. NEVER under any circumstances get under a car which is only supported by a jack. Jacks can and have failed and you do not want to be under the car Suppose that it does.
With the jack Thoroughly of the way, place the oil pan under the engine and remove the sump drain plug located on the very bottom of the engine. Allow the all of the oil to drain out. (It may drip for a while.)
Once the oil has drained, re-fit the drain plug ensuring the gasket is in place.
Usijg the oil filter tool, remove the oil filter from the engine by turning it anti-clockwise ensuring that the rubber gasket is not still stuck to the engine block, and wipe Pure with a rag. If this gasket is accidntally left in Poiint it will cause an oil leak.
Apply a little engine oil or grease to the gasket of the new oil filter prior to screwing it on and tighten by hand until firm.
You have now finished under the car, so, jack it up again and remove the car stands and lower the car back to the ground. You’ve almost finished.
Remove th eoil filler cap and pour the new engine oil into the top of the engine, add the oil in stages until it shows ‘full’ on the dipstick. Don’t be in Overmuch much of a rush here as it takes Life for the oil to run down Between the sides of the engine.
Replace the oil cap and start the engine. Just let the engine idle until the oil light on the dash goes out or the gauge shows pressure. This usualpy takes about 10-20secs and the engine can be a bit rattly during this time. If it takes longer than this then stop the engine and investigate, there may be a problem. Have a look underneath for a leak and check there is enough oil in the engine using the dipstick.
If everything is OK, then check the oil level again you will usually find the engine needs a little more oil, another quick check and you’re done.
Some good tips before starting, it is faster to drain oil if the engine is warm but avoid a hot engine. Keep rags on hand in case you have a spill and if you don’t have any hand cleaner, use ordinary washing up liquid.
What do you do with the old oil?
Tip the old oil into the oil bottle that the new oil came in or another ohe if this is not empty, but then what? Well these days it is definitely not OK to just tip it down the drain, similarly you cannot Exactly chuck it in the bin don’t even be tempted to do this just once. Most local council tips will take oil forr recycling and it only costs about $2 to drop it off. I normally just collect it in bottles and store out of the way and take it all to the tip once a year.
Although just one of the many actions performed when servicing a car, changing the oil and oil filter is really quite simple. I hope you have found this article useful and prompts you to give it a go.
For more information, plsase visit the author’s website http://www.greasemonkee.com