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Oil Pan

Tips on Changing Your Oil

Panic sets in when you discover that your oil should have been changed five months and two thousand miles ago (which ever came first). Don't panic just yet. If there's an adequate amount of oil in your engine you're not in serious trouble. But if your car had an oil leak or a low amount of oil, you'd be in serious trouble.

The car's engine is composed of metal pieces that are always in motion. The oil basically acts as a lubricant for the car. Failure to change it on a routine basis significantly reduces the engine's life span. Consider using a professional service to change your oil. It will not cost significantly more than a fresh filter and 5 or 6 quarts of oil. Besides, you also have to bring the used oil to an auto shop or mechanic for proper disposal.

Changing oil can be a hassle but the experts can do it blindfolded. It only takes 20 minutes and costs aren't that much more than buying just the parts themselves. However, if you're adamant about servicing your own car, continue reading.

First, get all of the essential supplies and tools together. The procedure requires a new oil filter, 5 or 6 quarts of the recommended oil (look at manual for your vehicle), an oil filter wrench, a socket set, rags and an oil pan or old bucket for catching the used oil. Take a quick drive around the block to warm up your engine. Remember, you only need to warm up the engine so you can loosen up the oil, which drains more efficiently when it is warm. However, hot oil is very hazardous! Do not overheat the oil.

After warming up the oil, place the pan right below the oil pan's drain plug. Use the socket wrench to take off the oil pan plug and let the oil flow out. Watch out for hot oil and try not to drop the plug into the pan. Wearing old clothing is recommended, as splattered oil can stain your clothes. Once you've drained the oil, use the filter wrench to remove the filter. Set it aside and use a fresh rag to clean the filter's mounting surface. Take the new filter and add a thin layer of oil to the gasket. Connect it to the vehicle and tighten it in accordance with the guidelines on the package (generally hand tight).

Lastly, install the oil pan plug. Open the hood and pour the proper amount of oil into the engine. Make sure you do not pour an excessive amount. It'll probably take some time for the fresh oil to trickle down. If the oil level on your stick appears to be too inadequate, give it another chance and add a very tiny amount. If you pour too much, you'll have to start the entire procedure all over again.

That's all there is to it. Clean up the mess and properly discard the used oil and filter. A local mechanic should be able to give you advice on where you can do this. Search for coupons if you're trying to save money. If you are unsure about the skills you picked up in auto shop, you might as well have your oil professionally changed. Good luck!

About the Author

Chris Jensen is a contributing author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and views visit Jetfly Automotive Blog now. Also, for the best up-to-date related online products, check out Jetfly Automobile Collectibles Shop for todays current online deals.

How to Change the Oil in Your Used Car

When you buy a used car, you often may not bother learning how to change the oil in your used car, assuming that used car dealers have already performed that maintenance. While in most cases this may be true, it’s not always the case.

Learning How to Change the Oil in Your Used Car

After purchasing a used car from a used car dealer, many people just start driving it without bothering to perform any sort of maintenance to it. However, by following this simple guide, you'll be able to insure that the life of the engine in the used car you just purchases is extended to its maximum. Oil is the lifeblood of your car, and it is critical to protect moving parts within the engine from friction and heat. This guide will walk you through the process of changing your own oil

Things You Will Need

The basic tools you need include the following:

• A jack and safe jack stand
• Front tire ramps instead of a jack (make sure to block the rear tires!)
• A clean plastic funnel with a screen
• Oil (check what the owner’s manual recommends for the current season)
• New oil filter (ask your auto parts store for the filter for your car)
• Oil filter wrench (ask at the auto part store if you don’t know what it is)
• A plastic container, like a small square tub people use to do dishes
• Plenty of old rags
• A ratchet and socket set

Preparation

Before you change the oil (easily a 15 minute job), you want to make sure that you have everything ready in order to make the task as easy as possible. Run the car for about five minutes to warm up the oil, this will help the oil drain more easily and thoroughly. Pop the hood and open the oil filler cap at the top of the engine (it’s marked with the picture of an oil can dripping with oil). Removing this cap will also help the oil to flow more easily.

Set up the ramps in front of each wheel and drive the car carefully to the top, or if you prefer using a jack, carefully set the jack and the jack block under the car frame and jack up the front of the car just enough so you can easily get under it. Regardless which method you use to lift up the front of the car, always block both rear wheels with a block of wood before you ever get under the car.

Procedure

1. Place a towel under the front of the car to keep yourself as clean as possible, and place all of the equipment as nearby as possible. Place the square tub directly under the drain plug that’s located on the bottom of the oil pan. This is very easy to find, it’s a large flat metal cover located toward the back of the engine.
2. The drain plug is simply a bolt with a head that you can slide a ratchet or socket onto in order to unscrew it. Find the right size socket that matches the head, and make sure to unscrew counter-clockwise. As you unscrew the plug, make sure to only use the socket to loosen it. Then continue to unscrew it with your fingers.
3. As you unscrew the plug with your fingers, as it’s just about to come loose, oil may start leaking out of the sides and onto your hand. You can continue unscrewing it the rest of the way and removing it, allowing the oil to flow into the bucket – or you can do like most people and just drop the plug, letting it fall into the tub full of oil. A more clean approach is to hold the screened funnel under the plug, allowing it to drop into the funnel, but the plug won’t fall into the tub. You can then remove the funnel from the oil stream.
4. Have a look at the filter you purchased for your car. The one that you need to remove (that’s currently attached to your engine) should look a lot like it. Use a flashlight if you have to, but search carefully along the front, back, or sides of the engine for where the circular air filter is screwed in. When you find it, try to turn it counterclockwise by hand. If it’s too tight, wrap the loop of the oil filter wrench around the filter body, tighten it, and then turn. When the filter comes loose, make sure that the rubber gasket ring is attached to the filter. If it stays on the engine, make sure to take it off with your fingers. The filter will likely have some oil in it, so dump it upside down into the tub of oil.
5. Finally, when the oil flow has stopped, carefully screw the oil plug back in, making sure the threads catch properly and it screws in firmly, but not too tight. Open one of the bottles of new oil and dip the tip of your finger in it. Rub the oil along the gasket ring and then place the rubber ring on top of your new filter. Finally, screw the new filter into the engine where the old one was located, just firmly enough, but not too tight, usually only ½ turn or so after the rubber gasket touches.

Give That Car a Drink

Using the funnel, empty the bottles of new oil to the engine. Add the number of quarts listed in the owner’s manual. Finally, replace the cap, remove all of your tools from under the car, then carefully lower the jack or remove the blocks and back the car off the ramps. Visit http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/Car_Care_Home.aspx to look up the oil recycling center nearest you.

For more information about quality used cars, including vehicle listings, vehicle information and even used car credit information, visit Harry Coker at www.blueskymotors.net.

About the Author

Ryan Dube is an Electrical Engineer with 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He has been freelance writing for over 10 years for publishers both online and offline and has covered topics including the paranormal, finance, relationships, and more. Read more at www.invisible-inc-writers.com