How to Change Car Oil (and When)

Oil Change Lesson

To ensure that your car gives you the same performance that you saw when you bought the car from the show room, one is required to regularly change their car engine oil. Not changing the car engine oil on time will automatically reduce the life expectancy of a vehicle’s engine which in effect drastically affects the performance of a car.

Before you take a look at how to change the oil in your car, it is important to know when to change it. You don’t want to change it to early nor too late. Changing it early will result in you wasting a lot of money in the long run because changing it late will be risking your engines life expectancy and performance.

For this reason, choosing the right time to change your car engine oil is a must. If you have bought a second-hand vehicle, it is advised that you change your oil regardless. It does not matter if the seller has told you that they just changed the oil a couple of weeks back. A standard rule about buying second-hand cars is to always change the oil before you drive it. In the case where you have owned the car yourself, changing the oil will vary depending on the motor oil that you used.

It is recommended that you change your engine oil after every 4000 miles. Most engine oil manufactures will state that you can drive your vehicle for at least 6000 miles, sometimes even more. This figure is given based on “perfect” driving conditions which do not exist. With so much pollution and dust around us, the ideal time to change your engine oil would be at 4000 miles. This will make sure that the performance of your vehicle remains at its best.

Changing the oil

When it comes to actually changing the engine oil, you have two possible options. The one that is most commonly used is to visit a local garage so that they can get it done for you. However, seeing as we are faced with tough financial times, many are trying to cut back on expenses by doing it themselves. If you are thinking of changing the oil of your car yourself, the things that you will need will include an oil filter, new oil, funnel, oil catch, oil filter wrench, open end wrench and a clean rag.

Start off by choosing a safe area to work. Levitate the car off the ground making sure it is firmly situated and will not fall. Then open the oil engine bolt at the bottom of your engine. This will allow the old oil to drain away. After having done so, close the bolt properly. The next step is removing the oil filter. This is quite simple as it can easily be located under the bonnet of the car. After that, simply use the funnel to pour the oil in into the engine. Make sure you use the right amount of engine oil for your vehicle.

Photo Credits: tobo

car engine oil, driving conditions, how to change the oil in your car, life expectancy, motor oil, second hand cars

Car Tips, Oil Change

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