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How to Change Your Oil and Filter

In engines, there is inevitably some exposure of the oil to products of internal combustion, and microscopic coke particles from black soot accumulate in the oil during operation. Also the rubbing of metal engine parts inevitably produces some microscopic metallic particles from the wearing of the surfaces. Such particles could circulate in the oil and grind against the part surfaces causing erosion and wear. The oil filter removes many of the particles, but eventually the oil filter gets filled up. The motor oil and especially the additives also undergo thermal and mechanical degradation. Without sufficient motor oil, an engine would be severely damanged within minutes. For these reasons, the oil and the oil filter need to be periodically replaced.

The vehicle manufacturer specifies which grade of oil should be used for the vehicles it produces. The manufacturer also specifies how often the oil changes should be made. For example, most people in the United States believe that a common oil change frequency should be every 3000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes sooner. This 3000 mile oil change interval has been relentlessly promoted by oil changing companies for decades. It had a scientific basis when engines used non-multi-weight, non-detergent oil. It no longer has any scientific basis, but it is still being promoted by certain entities, most notably the oil change industry in the United States (including car dealerships). Indeed, studies have shown more wear occurs with fresher (1000-2000 mile) oil. This is attributed to additives re-establishing themselves, TBN converging, and filters becoming more efficient. Most manufacturers recommend oil change intervals of 6,000 miles or more for modern cars. In Europe, by contrast, where the influence of oil companies has been much less, oil is typically changed only at a major service interval, between 10,000 and 15,000 miles for a modern car. For convenience, the oil filter is usually also replaced at the time the oil is changed. There are many types (or sizes) of oil filters for vehicle engines. Vendors of oil filters have information on which type of oil filter is compatible with a given vehicle.

When an engine is not running, the oil collects in an oil pan or sump at the bottom of the crankcase. There is an oil drain plug normally screwed into a drain hole at the bottom of the oil pan which is accessible from underneath the vehicle. To change the oil in a vehicle's engine, the drain plug is unscrewed to let the oil drain out of the oil pan. After the used oil drains out, the plug is screwed back into the drain hole. Some drain plugs have a replaceable washer to prevent leakage due to corrosion, rust or worn threads in the drain hole. The removable oil filter can be unscrewed at this time, often with the help of an oil filter removal tool, People who don't posses a filter removal tool, often like to use a screwdriver, which is pierced through the (thin) filter and then used as a lever, making it easy to unscrew the filter. (Some, however, oppose this practice, for the reason that if it should still prove impossible to remove the filter by these means, the car will have been immobilised as a result of piercing it.) Then a new oil filter screwed back in after applying fresh oil to the sealing surface of the new filter. Then new oil is poured in through an otherwise capped opening at the top of the engine. For many cars, 4 to 5 quarts or liters of oil are needed to fill the engine. In the engine, there is a removable dipstick, accessible from above the engine, to check the oil level while engine is not running. (In contrast, automatic transmission fluid level is checked with a separate dipstick while the engine is running.) Traditionally, lubrication at various joints in the vehicle is also done at the time of an oil change. Mechanics often call this maintenance routine "oil change and lube" or "LOF" (lube, oil, and filter).

Changing a vehicle's oil should lead to slightly improved fuel efficiency, lower temperature, and less wear since friction is reduced. Because changing a vehicle's oil could be messy and inconvenient for the owner since he/she must drain from under the vehicle, vehicle owners often have mechanics change the oil for them because they can hydraulically lift the vehicle to easily access the oil pan. Many quick oil change shops have appeared in the USA to conveniently provide this service to owners. Many of these shops have rooms below ground level for a mechanic to access the underside of a vehicle. Used motor oil can be taken to recyling centers, auto parts stores and oil change locations for recycling. In addition, some states mandate that any location selling motor oil must also accept waste motor oil at no charge.

Steps

1. Run the engine for a few minutes to warm and thin the oil. Then turn the engine off and remove the oil filter cap on the top of the engine.
2. Position the drain pan under the plug and remove the drain plug using your ratchet and socket set. Let the oil drain out. Clean the plug.
3. Use a rag to clean off the area near the drain pipe after the flow slows to a trickle. Reinstall the drain plug tightly, but not so tightly that it damages the treads and oil pan.
4. Now onto the filter. Position the drain pan under the filter and loosen the filter so that oil comes out in a stream.
5. After the oil has dreained, clean the area around the filter with a rag.
6. Use clean oil to lubricate the rubber gasket on the new filter, then turn it into place without over-tightening.
7. Pour in the appropriate amount of fresh oil back into your engine (check your owner's manual for the proper quantity).
8. Start the engine for one minute. Get under the engine to ensure that there are no surprise leaks.
9. If there are no leaks, let the engine run for a couple of minutes before shutting it off. Before cleaning up, check the oil level using the engine dipstick.

Tips

• Replace the drain plug every year to prevent leaks.
  
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