How to Change the Oil in Your Car

You may extend the life of your car by performing regular maintenance. An oil change is one of the easiest jobs you can complete. To replace the oil in your car, you don’t even need to be very mechanically skilled. Gathering your tools, removing the drain plug, and letting the used oil trickle into a pan is frequently all it takes to change the oil. After that, you replace the filter, add more oil where necessary, and put the drain plug back in.

how to change oil in car

Well, in this article, we’ll guide you through how to change the oil in your car. Even so, the answers to the following questions will be discussed:

Why should you change your car oil?
How often should you change the oil in your car?
What are signs that you need to change the oil in your car?
How much oil does your car need?
How to change the oil in your car?

Ok, let’s dive in!

Contents

Why should you change your car oil?

To ensure the longevity and good condition of your engine, you must change your car’s oil on a regular basis. Oil gradually degrades as it moves through the engine because of exposure to extreme temperatures, impurities, and combustion byproducts. As a result of this breakdown, the oil loses its ability to lubricate, which increases friction between the moving parts of the engine. Excessive wear, heat buildup, and potential damage to engine parts like the pistons, cylinders, and crankshaft can all result from inadequate lubrication. Additionally, the oil loses some of its cleaning power as it becomes old. It gathers sludge, dirt, and debris, which can impair good engine operation and decrease fuel economy. The impurities suspended in the oil have the potential to build up over time, blocking oil passageways and lowering the flow of oil to vital engine components.

How often should you change the oil in your car?

The recommended interval between oil changes varies depending on a number of factors. The manufacturer’s recommendations, the age of your car, the type of oil you use (conventional, synthetic, or a blend), and how you drive are a few of these factors. Oil life monitoring systems, which assess driving circumstances and give an estimate of when the oil needs to be changed, are now standard in many current vehicles.

For most vehicles, it is no longer recommended to change the oil every 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) as per common knowledge. The average interval between oil changes for modern engines and synthetic oils is longer. The most typical guideline is to replace the oil every six months, or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000 kilometers), whichever comes first. To find out the precise interval for your vehicle, you must, however, refer to the owner’s manual for your car or the manufacturer’s instructions.

What are signs that you need to change the oil in your car?

It’s crucial to pay attention to your car’s behavior and keep an eye out for warning indications that an oil change is necessary. Typical signs include:

Dark and dirty oil on the dipstick

Fresh oil has an amber color, but as it ages and becomes contaminated, it turns darker and accumulates dirt and debris. It’s time for an oil change if the oil on the dipstick is noticeably darker than usual or contains noticeable particles.

Check the engine or oil change light

The check engine light or an oil change indicator that turns on when the oil needs changing is present in the majority of current cars. Pay attention to these warning lights, and refer to your owner’s manual for advice on what they exactly represent and how to deal with them.

Engine performance issues

Different performance issues can result from inadequate lubrication brought on by old or deteriorated oil. Power loss, sluggish acceleration, or an overall lack of responsiveness from your engine are some symptoms. If you observe these problems, you should think about getting your oil changed.

The engine is running louder than usual

The oil is unable to adequately separate metal surfaces when it loses its viscosity and lubricating abilities. Increased friction and greater engine noise may result from this. If the engine sounds louder than usual, it may be time to change the oil.

How much oil does your car need?

Your car’s engine size, design, and manufacturer’s recommendations all affect how much oil it needs. In the owner’s manual for your car or by looking up the manufacturer’s standards, you can determine the recommended oil capacity. The information normally includes the total oil capacity, which for the majority of passenger cars can range from 4 to 8 quarts (3.8 to 7.6 liters). In order to maintain adequate lubrication and cooling, it’s essential to use the right amount of oil.

How to change the oil in your car?

Before you even begin this process, find out exactly how much oil you will need to replace what you drain by consulting your owner’s manual. An oil filter is also necessary. Therefore, you will need to visit an auto parts store or a big-box retailer to purchase what you require. If you don’t already have an oil filter wrench and the right size wrench for your oil drain stopper, you should get those while you’re there. To keep your hands clean, you’ll also need some gloves; standard latex medical gloves are fine. You can leave at this point. To perform your own oil change, follow these steps:

Jack up the car, then open up
Remove the drain plug and drain the oil
Remove the old filter
Put the drain plug back in, and insert a new filter
Open up the hood, and top it off with a new oil
Check the oil level in case there’s a leak

Jack up the car, then open up

The car needs to be raised high enough so that you have space to work underneath it. Make sure you are being completely safe whether you use a hoist, ramps, or jack stands. Never perform any work on a car that is solely supported by a floor jack. In most cars, the cover must be removed in order to access the oil pan and oil filter. Most underlays are secured with a combination of bolts, screws, or plastic clips that can be removed with simple hand tools. Make sure to check the area for oil leaks before moving on to step two. Consider having your car checked up by a professional if any are discovered.

Remove the drain plug and drain the oil

Place your oil container—a five-gallon bucket, oil drain pan, oil reservoir, or any other substantial liquid-holding container—so that the oil will drain into it without splattering all over the place or creating a mess in any other way. Keep in mind that there will be plenty of oil: The crankcase of most cars contains at least one gallon, and in some cases much more.

Using the appropriate wrench, turn the drain plug counterclockwise until it is loose enough to be unscrewed. while you take the plug away from the oil pan, the oil will begin to pour out, so hold on to it while you remove it. Allow the engine to drain for five minutes, or until the oil trickles out of the engine.

Remove the old filter

Find the oil filter. It’s the cylindrical item about the size of a softball that is screwed into the engine (but other engines have a housing that you can insert a filter cartridge into). Loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise with your hand or an oil filter wrench (you’ll probably need the latter), until the oil begins to leak from the top and drip into your container. Remove the filter completely after the flow stops.

Make sure the old oil filter gasket—a small rubber O-ring—wasn’t left behind before putting in your new filter. This is crucial because if the old gasket is left in place, the new filter won’t seal properly and all of your new, fresh oil is likely to flow onto the ground shortly after the engine starts up, potentially depriving the engine of oil and resulting in disaster. Before you replace the oil filter and drain plug, it’s best to clean off any surfaces that have been coated in oil.

Put the drain plug back in, and insert a new filter

Reinstall the drain plug snugly but not overly tight. Oil pan and drain plug damage might result from excessive tightening. Tighten it slightly, but don’t use all of your strength. You can use a torque wrench to adhere to the torque specifications provided by some manufacturers. In any case, avoid attempting to remove the drain plug’s head. When you reinstall the plug, you may need to change a washer that is used in some vehicles (see your owner’s manual to find out if this washer has to be replaced).

Next, take your new oil filter and lightly coat the rubber gasket around the top of the filter with oil (using a dab on the tip of your finger). As you tighten the filter, this will help in making a good seal. Apply the same principle while screwing in the filter: Don’t turn it too hard; instead, turn it until it’s “hand tight” and then just a little more, so it’s snug.

Open the hood, and top it off with a new oil

Replace your undertray and lower the car back to the ground after replacing the oil filter and drain plug. Open the hood and remove the oil cap. The oil cap should have a symbol of an oil can on it. Refer to the vehicle’s owner manual to determine the recommended oil type and quantity. Place a funnel in the oil filler hole and slowly pour in the new oil. Allow time for the oil to settle, periodically checking the dipstick to maintain the proper oil level. Ensure the oil filler cap is securely tightened.

Check the oil level in case there’s a leak

Check the oil level in case there's a leak

Lastly, use the dipstick to check that your oil is at the correct level after allowing a few minutes for the oil to settle into the pan. Oil inspection is easy: Pull the dipstick out of the tube, remove all oil using a paper towel, re-insert the dipstick, take it out again, and make sure the oil is lined up with the entire indication on the dipstick’s tip. Start the car, let it warm up and idle, and then look under and around the oil filter for leaks.

FAQs

Can I change my car’s oil myself?

Any DIYer can change the oil in their car. Even though changing the oil might seem pretty obvious, many people still do it incorrectly, turning it into an unsightly job. The most crucial thing you can do to prolong the life of your engine is to change the oil.

What are the 10 steps to an oil change?

The car should be raised.
Place the catch pan in place and take the plug out.
Check the car while the oil is draining.
The drain plug should be replaced with torque.
Delete the outdated oil filter.
Clean the mount, then take off the old O-ring.
Clean the replacement filter, then manually attach it.
Take off the oil fill lid, and add fresh oil.

How long do you have to run your car before you change the oil?

The five-minute limit is a sensible idea. The oil is warmed up to make it less viscous and improve flow. By doing this, less of the old oil will be adhered to the oil pan and other engine components and remain inside the engine. Additionally, recently circulating oil gathers more pollutants and keeps them suspended.

How do you know your car needs an oil change?

The sign that a car needs an oil change is as follows:
engine making a knocking noise.
inconsistent oil texture.
Low level of oil.
The flashing warning lights.
Exhaust smoke, idling vibrations, etc.
Experiencing difficulties shifting gears.

How do you change car oil for beginners?

Open it up by jacking it up.
Drain it and unplug it.
Off with the Old Filter.
Plug in the drain; turn on the filter.
It should be refilled with oil.
Examine the oil level and look for leaks.

How much oil do I put in my car?

Engines typically require five to eight gallons of oil. However, the amount of oil needed may vary depending on the size of your engine. A 4-cylinder oil engine, for instance, could need about five quarts of oil, whereas a 6-cylinder oil engine needs six quarts. Typically, the less oil your car needs, the smaller the engine must be.

What happens if you don’t change your oil?

In an engine, oil that has not been changed in a while will start to gel or solidify, finally becoming sludge. This will prevent the oil from getting to all areas of the engine, starving the crankshafts, bearings, camshafts, and other portions of the valve train of oil.

What happens when you don’t change a car’s oil?

If you neglect your oil change for a prolonged period of time, your car may eventually suffer. Sludge-like motor oil stops absorbing heat from the engine. The engine could overheat and seize up or break a gasket. A blown head gasket will force you to the side of the road with its milky white exhaust.

That is all for this article, where we looked at how to change the oil in your car. Even so, the answers to the following questions were discussed:

Why should you change your car oil?
How often should you change the oil in your car?
What are signs that you need to change the oil in your car?
How much oil does your car need?
How to change the oil in your car?

We hope it was helpful. If so, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!