Next, make sure that you use good quality oil. We recommend a Shell product. These days, ordinary engines feature a surprising number of technological improvements which can be damaged or have their efficiency reduced by poor quality oils. Although it isn't required according to most auto manufacturers, many people change their oil filter with every oil change, to make absolutely certain it isn't plugged. However, if you don't plan to change the filter, simply skip that step in the following description. Once you're ready to change your oil and filter, you may find you need a garage ramp, depending on the vehicle. You will also need an oil pan, wrench, oil filter wrench, funnel and a rag. Once you've assembled all your tools, follow this step-by-step procedure: In all steps, follow common sense safety rules. Be absolutely certain that your car can't roll, tip or fall. Be careful not to touch hot oil or hot metal that might burn you. And do NOT work on your car when it is running. - Make sure the engine is up to normal operating temperature to ensure that you will get all the oil out.
- If you are using a ramp, place the vehicle on it. In any event, turn off the engine! Put the emergency brake on. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling down the ramp by using blocks behind the rear wheels. (Even on a flat surface, it's a good idea to block the wheels so the vehicle can't move in either direction.)
- Remove the oil filter cap from the engine valve cover. This will ventilate the crankcase for easier drainage of oil.
- Remove the oil pan drain plug. Be careful! Make sure your oil pan is correctly positioned under the drain hole and don't splash hot oil on yourself.
- When you're satisfied you have collected all but the last few drops of used oil, replace the drain plug. DO remember to tighten it, but take care not to overtighten it. If you do, you may strip the threads or you will have a tough time removing it next time. A snug fit is all it takes.
- Remove the oil filter, taking care to ensure your oil pan is in place to catch the remaining oil. Wipe clean the surface that the oil filter seal rests against.
- Apply a liberal coating of fresh oil to the new oil filter seal.
- Hand-tighten the new oil filter. A good rule of thumb is three quarters of a turn past the position when the filter first comes to rest against the seat. Do not tighten the filter with the filter wrench.
- Check your owner's manual to determine the amount of oil you need, and refill the crankcase. Using a funnel in the oil filler hole keeps things tidy. Before adding that last litre of oil, check the oil level with the dipstick. Be careful not to overfill. To high an oil level in the crankcase will let the crankshaft churn the oil to foam. This will result in oil pump starvation, which means your engine won't be properly lubricated. Overfilling can also lead to high crankcase pressure, possibly leading to oil seal leaks.
- Once you have finished adding new oil, start the engine to check for leaks. Don't rev it up on start-up, because it will take two to five seconds before the engine reaches full oil pressure. You may notice some clatter or a low oil pressure reading, but don't worry, that's normal.
- Take the vehicle off the ramp (remember the blocks behind the wheels), turn the engine off and check the dipstick. It may read a little low, That's because the oil filter has taken in some oil, as much as half a litre. Top it up until the level on the dipstick reads "Full".
That's all there is to it, except for one very important thing: What are you going to do with that used oil? Used oil contains many harmful substances, so collect it in a suitable container - an empty windshield washer fluid bottle works well - and take it to a local recycling outlet (check your telephone Yellow Pages). When should you change your oil again? If you are not a city driver and you don't ever drive in dusty conditions and you do everything else pertaining to your vehicle perfectly, you can probably leave your oil in for up to 12,000 kilometres according to most manufacturers. But if you don't meet all these conditions - and virtually none of us does - you should change your oil in half that distance or less. The generally accepted interval is every 5,000 kilometres or every three months, whichever comes first.
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