As car ownership continues to grow, the cost of maintaining a car is also rising. In fact, doing basic maintenance such as changing engine oil by yourself can not only save hundreds of dollars in man-hours, but also ensure that genuine and good oil is used, so that the power of your car will always be new.
Before starting the actual operation, we need to prepare the necessary "combat weapons". First up is a new oil and oil filter for your model. It is recommended that you read the vehicle maintenance manual that comes with your vehicle to confirm the viscosity grade of the engine oil (such as 5W-30 or 0W-20) and the required filling amount. When purchasing, be sure to choose regular channels to ensure that the quality of the engine oil is reliable. After all, engine oil is the blood of the engine and cannot be careless.
In addition to consumables, the preparation of tools is also crucial. You usually need to prepare: a set of socket wrenches (used to unscrew the oil drain screw), oil filter wrenches (available in chain type, cap type, etc.), oil basin (capacity should be greater than the oil filling capacity), funnel, disposable gloves, a large number of rags, as well as a jack and safety bracket. The more detailed the preparation is, the easier it will be during the ac
As car ownership continues to grow, the cost of maintaining a car is also rising. In fact, doing basic maintenance such as changing engine oil by yourself can not only save hundreds of dollars in man-hours, but also ensure that genuine and good oil is used, so that the power of your car will always be new.
Before starting the actual operation, we need to prepare the necessary "combat weapons". First up is a new oil and oil filter for your model. It is recommended that you read the vehicle maintenance manual that comes with your vehicle to confirm the viscosity grade of the engine oil (such as 5W-30 or 0W-20) and the required filling amount. When purchasing, be sure to choose regular channels to ensure that the quality of the engine oil is reliable. After all, engine oil is the blood of the engine and cannot be careless.
In addition to consumables, the preparation of tools is also crucial. You usually need to prepare: a set of socket wrenches (used to unscrew the oil drain screw), oil filter wrenches (available in chain type, cap type, etc.), oil basin (capacity should be greater than the oil filling capacity), funnel, disposable gloves, a large number of rags, as well as a jack and safety bracket. The more detailed the preparation is, the easier it will be during the actual operation.
In addition, the choice of environment cannot be ignored. You need a flat, hard and well-lit ground. Do not operate on a slope to avoid safety accidents caused by unstable jack support. At the same time, it is recommended to operate when the engine has cooled down slightly but is still warm. Warm engine oil has better fluidity and can more smoothly take away metal debris and impurities inside the engine, improving replacement efficiency.
The first step is to raise the vehicle. Use a jack to lift the front of the car to a height high enough for people to get in, and be sure to place safety brackets at the support points of the frame. It is strictly prohibited to drill into the bottom of the car solely relying on the support of the jack. After making sure the vehicle is stable, get under the vehicle and find the oil pan at the bottom of the engine. There is an obvious bolt on the oil pan, which is the oil drain screw.
Place the oil catch basin precisely under the screw. Use a wrench to loosen the screw counterclockwise. When the screw is about to fall off, it is recommended to turn it by hand and use a certain inward thrust to quickly remove the hand at the moment of loosening. This can prevent oil from flowing down the arm and into the cuff. Be careful to prevent burns. If the engine has just been turned off, the oil temperature may be very high.
Let the old oil drain out completely until it turns into intermittent drops. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. While the oil is dripping, you can take a closer look at the gaskets on the screws. If the gasket has become flattened or deformed, be sure to replace it with a new one. If a small gasket is aged, it is often the culprit that causes oil leakage in the vehicle later.
When the old oil is almost drained, we need to find the location of the oil filter. It is usually cylindrical in shape and is located on the side or bottom of the engine. Use a special oil filter wrench to loosen it. Since there is also a large amount of waste oil inside the filter element, the oil receiving basin must be moved when disassembling to prevent oil from dripping on the ground and causing pollution.
After removing the old filter element, wipe the filter element base on the engine with a clean rag to make sure there are no old seals or dirt left. Here comes the key operating detail: Before installing the new filter element, pour a small amount of new engine oil into the new filter element, and use your finger to dip a little of the new oil into the rubber sealing ring on the top of the new filter element. This step is to increase the sealing performance and prevent the sealing ring from sticking due to high temperature during next disassembly.
When installing a new filter element, first screw it in clockwise by hand. When the sealing ring contacts the base, tighten it another half to three-quarters of a turn. Remember, you must not use a wrench to apply excessive force to the oil filter element. Excessive tightening will cause damage to the sealing ring and even cause the threads of the base to slip, causing huge trouble for the next maintenance.
Return to the oil pan, wipe off the oil around the oil drain hole with a rag, and re-tighten the oil drain screw. First screw it in by hand to ensure that the threads are aligned, and then use a wrench to tighten appropriately. After completing the work on the bottom of the vehicle, remove the oil pan and tools, lower the jack, and return the vehicle to a level state. This is to ensure accuracy when checking the fluid level later.
Open the engine hood and find the oil filler cap with the oil can mark. Insert the funnel and begin slowly pouring in the new oil. Don't be too hasty when filling to avoid oil spillage. It is recommended to first add to about 80% of the recommended amount in the maintenance manual. For example, if the manual requires adding 4 liters, we can add about 3.5 liters first, and then stop and observe.
Let it sit for two to three minutes to allow the oil to fully drain back into the oil pan. Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag, reinsert it all the way, then pull it out and observe. The engine oil scale should be between MIN (lower limit) and MAX (upper limit). If the liquid level is too low, continue to add small amounts and multiple times until the liquid level reaches the appropriate range. Note that adding too much oil will increase engine resistance and even cause oil burning.
After confirming that the fluid level is normal, tighten the filler cap. Start the engine and let the vehicle idle for 1 to 2 minutes. At this point, the oil pressure warning light on the instrument panel should go out a few seconds after starting. If the alarm light stays on, please turn off the engine and check immediately. The purpose of running the engine is to allow new oil to enter the filter element and circulate throughout the lubrication system.
After turning off the engine, let it sit for another 5 minutes and recheck the oil level in the oil dipstick. You will find that the fluid level is slightly lower than before. This is because some of the oil has been filled into the new filter element. Fine-tune it according to the actual situation and add it to the mid-upper limit position. At the same time, get under the car for the last time (or look at the ground) to confirm that there are no leaks at the drain screw and oil filter element. Details determine success or failure, and the final review can effectively avoid low-level mistakes.
Finally, take care of the scene. Pour the waste engine oil in the oil collecting basin into the empty bottle and seal it. Please remember that waste engine oil is a serious chemical pollutant and must not be poured into sewers or soil. You can hand it over to a nearby auto repair shop or a professional waste oil recycling station. They will usually accept these hazardous wastes for free. Protecting the environment is also the responsibility of every DIY enthusiast.
congratulations! Through the above steps, you have completed a professional car maintenance independently. Doing it yourself can not only give you a deeper understanding of the mechanical structure of your car, but also develop a meticulous car-using habit. Which step do you think is most overlooked during the oil change process? Or do you want to know some basic auto repair knowledge? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to share your practical experience, and together we will become "experienced drivers"!
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