Oil Change Procedure

*MEDIUM*

Use the appropriate guidelines to determine the frequency of your oil change. The oil filter must always be changed with the oil. At the appropriate time, change the oil and oil filter according to the following procedure:

  1. Drive your car around until the engine reaches operating temperature and the oil is hot. Hot oil flows more readily than cold oil does and will be more thoroughly removed from the engine's lubrication system in this condition.
  2. Park the vehicle on level ground in a well-ventilated area with the engine OFF, the parking brake engaged, and the transmission in PARK (for automatic) or REVERSE (for manual). Place old newspapers or cardboard underneath the engine to soak up any minor spills.
  3. Place a low profile container or drip pan of adequate capacity (about 8 qt.) under the oil pan and loosen the oil drain plug in a counterclockwise direction with a socket wrench. If the drain plug faces horizontally instead of vertically, be sure the oil drain container to positioned to capture the initial oil surge. Do not confuse the transmission drain plug with the oil drain plug. Confirm the location of the oil drain plug using your owner's manual if necessary. Wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt so as not to burn yourself on any components. Also wear eye protection so foreign particles like undercar dirt do not enter your eye. Oil must be drained when hot so contaminants remain suspended in the fluid and do not cling to engine parts.
  4. Wear rubber gloves to prevent being scalded by the hot oil. Fully remove the drain plug and capture all exiting oil. Turn it counterclockwise by hand while pushing upward to keep oil from dripping through the loose threads. When plug is completely loose, quickly pull it away but be careful not to drop the drain plug into the container or burn yourself on the hot oil. Allow the oil time to drain; wait until no more oil drips from oil pan opening.
  5. Wipe the drain plug threads and sealing washer so they are free of dirt and oil. Replace the sealing washer with a new one if it is damaged. Insert the drain plug into the oil pan and tighten it in a clockwise direction according to specifications. Apply the correct torque since excessive tightening may strip threads and cause an oil leak. Some oil pans may have multiple drain plugs to empty.
  6. Move the oil container under the oil filter and loosen the filter in a counterclockwise direction using an oil filter wrench. Remove the filter with a protected hand since it contains hot oil. Drain the hot oil into the container. Wipe the oil filter mounting surface of the engine clean. Be sure that the gasket from the old filter did not stick to the engine. If it did, do not scrape it off with a sharp metal tool. This will damage the smooth surface and cause the seal to leak. Instead, remove the old gasket with solvent or similar substance.
  7. Install the new filter by hand in a clockwise direction, but first lubricate the gasket with a thin coat of new oil. Wipe the filter mounting stud clean if necessary. Hand tighten the filter firmly another one-half turn beyond initial contact with engine block, but do not use an oil filter wrench for assistance. If the filter is installed too tight, the filter canister will be deformed and leak. A hand tightened filter will gradually form a tight seal that requires a wrench to loosen simply from the heat generated by the engine block. Follow the filter manufacturer's directions if they are different.
  8. Add clean oil through the oil filler cap at the valve cover. Select an oil that meets your vehicle manufacturer's requirements for viscosity and service rating. Use a clean, large, wide-mouthed funnel to avoid oil backup in the funnel and spilling it on other components of the engine. Initially, add 1/2 quart less than the system capacity identified in the owner's manual. Slowly add the remainder after periodically checking the oil level. Allow time for the oil to drain down into the oil pan to get an accurate FULL reading. Firmly tighten filler cap when through adding oil.
  9. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature and full oil pressure. Look for oil leaks, particularly around oil filter or drain plug. Correct any leaks with further tightening if necessary.
  10. Pour your used oil into gallon jugs and take it to a service station for recycling. Dispose of the used filter properly. See Safety Tips.

TOP SYSTEMS
BACK ENGINE OIL
PREVIOUS SUGGESTED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS
NEXT REMOVING ENGINE SLUDGE