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.