We guess that if you are car-owner you know pretty well the importance of oil because it makes sure that everything after the bonnet is working well, from lubricating any part, through stopping part to wear out to prevent a build-up of dirt and acids, which otherwise can result in corrosion. With no intention to sound scary, but without oil, your car is simply finished!
However, besides knowing the importance of car oil, it is also essential to know how to change the oil filter and maintain your car in good condition and not many people know exactly what to do, so here is our short guide here. This is especially important for people that have just purchased a second-hand car because after all, you couldn’t know how the previous owner of the used car has maintained it. Mobeo’s expert advice on oil filter change include:
Check the engine
If you wonder how often you have to have a look at the oil, the answer is at least once a month and even more often is recommended for older and second-hand vehicles. Still, if you are not sure how often your engine needs oil changing, you can always have a look at your owner’s manual, but in general, it has to be changed every 6,000 miles.
Be equipped with the right tools
The tools needed for oil changing are a socket wrench, an oil filter wrench, a funnel, a bowl to collect the old oil and something to clean thing up with. Of course, you are also going to need a quality oil filter and the proper amount and grade of motor oil, which you can learn more about in your owner’s manual.
Drain the old oil
Get the engine running for a few minutes to warm the oil up because that way it will drain more smoothly and the whole process will be easier for you. Once the car is ready, the next thing you have to do is slide underneath so you can locate the oil pan and sump plug. For doing this, you may need to place the car on axle stands. Then place some newspapers and oil pan beneath it right before loosening the sump plug with the socket wrench in an anti-clockwise direction. Then the old oil will drain out, but you have to keep in mind that at this point the oil could be still very hot. Once the stream of oil slows to a drip, put the plug back in and tighten it with the wrench in a clockwise direction.
Filter replacing
In order to change the filter, you have to start with loosening the oil filter with the wrench. Then coat the new oil filter gasket with a few drops of motor oil and install and tighten it by hand. Most certainly, there won’t be need of using a wrench.
Adding the new oil
For adding the new oil, lose the oil filter cap and fill up with the new oil. You can prevent spillages with the help of a funnel. Don’t underfill and overfill, you have to put the right amount of oil. Replace the cap, wipe up the excess and start up the car to allow the new oil to run through the engine. After a couple of minutes, turn off the car and get back under the bonnet to check the oil level on the cleaned dipstick. If the level is low, then you can add a little more oil, until the level is correct after checking it once again.