How to Change Your Oil
Smithtown Used Car Service | St James Preowned Car Dealer
Servicing your vehicle is vital if you want it to last as long as possible and run efficiently. One of the most important things to keep track of is your oil changes. While bringing your car in for any servicing is usually your best bet unless you’re experienced with maintenance, changing your oil is something you can learn. A few of us here at Certified Headquarters in New York have put together a quick how-to guide simple enough for every driver!
Grab your supplies: latex or rubber gloves, a funnel, a large drain pan, an oil filter wrench, a box end or socket wrench, and ramps or jack stands if necessary. Check your owner’s manual for the type and amount of oil you’ll need.
The next thing you’ll need to do is raise your vehicle if necessary. This is where the ramps or jacks would come in. At this point, you’ll want to throw on your gloves.
Next, locate your drain plug. Typically, it’s located underneath or on the side of your car’s oil pan. Once again, check your owner’s manual if you have any trouble finding it. Have whatever container you’re using to collect the old oil ready because now it’s time to drain the oil!
To remove the oil filter cap you’ll need your socket-style filter wrench to slowly turn the filter counterclockwise. Once it’s loose, finish unscrewing the cap with your hand and allow the contents to drain out. Once that’s done, wipe out the filter with and make sure no rubber from your old oil filter is left. Next, use your finger to moisten the gasket on the new filter by adding oil to it. Using your wrench, screw the new filter into place by rotating it clockwise. Add ¾ of a turn once you’re sure it’s secure, but don’t over tighten it.
Use the boxed end of a combination wrench to tighten the new drain plug. You may also need a new single-use o-ring depending on your car. Once everything is correctly in place, place your funnel in the oil filter hole and slowly pour in the oil, minus one quart. Screw the cap back on and run your engine 30 seconds to allow the oil to circulate and settle. Let your vehicle rest for 5 to 10 minutes, lower it, and check the oil level. If it’s low, slowly add from the quart you left out earlier.
Once the oil level is good, take your car for a quick spin! Afterwards, let your engine cool down for about ten minutes, unscrew your filler cap and double check your oil level again with a dipstick. If you’re still low, add a little more oil, take another quick drive, and let the engine cool before checking it again.
Here at Certified Headquarters, we have tons of pre-owned vehicles that we’re sure you’d love to take home and work on, so come on by our Used Car Dealership today so we can set you up with a test drive.
