Car oils are the most vital part if you really want to maintain your vehicle at the best of its condition. To understand the logic and reason behind it, you can surely visit our previous blog where we have discussed it in depth.
In this article, we are going to list down a step-by-step guide on how to use car oil according to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane.
Important Notes Before You Begin Changing Your Car’s Oil
- According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, if this is your first time changing your car’s oil, you should be aware of the following:
- If the oil lamp is illuminated, it signifies you have low oil pressure. To avoid catastrophic engine damage, you should not drive your automobile when it is lighted.
- It’s easy to be swayed by the oil grade that provides the most coverage or rating. You will, however, gain more with the product with the smallest range.
Choose the oil that is most appropriate for Brisbane’s climate. This way, you’ll obtain a product that’s tailored to your specific region.
- Check the oil level at least once a month if you have a new car that you rarely use. On the other hand, if you drive your car frequently or if it is older, it is a good idea to check the oil level once a week.
- If you were previously using substandard oil and have now switched to synthetic, you should also change the filter.
There is a good chance that debris, including carbon deposits, will be present. The new oil can clear them out, resulting in a more efficient engine.
- When you replace your car’s oil, it’s a good idea to change the oil filter as well. The filters capture undesired items in the oil and prevent them from circulating through the engine.
- These particles can build up over time, rendering the filters useless unless you replace them.
We will talk about the oil filter in the next section because we have already discussed its importance.
Everything You Should Know About Oil Filters
Oil filters, like oil itself, protect the engine from damage. They aid in the removal of impurities such as oxidized oil, dirt, and metallic particles. Because of engine wear, these particles build and mix with the oil.
It’s critical to replace your old filters with new ones for the following reasons:
- Full-Flow Filtration:
According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, full-flow filtration is now standard on newer engines, making the filter your engine’s first line of defence. While passing through the filter, the oil will flow directly from the reservoir to the engine.
Contaminations will eventually build up on the filter, reducing engine wear. It’s best not to wait until it’s entirely clogged; otherwise, the oil passage may become clogged. The good news is that most oil filters currently have a bypass valve that can help prevent engine failure.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs:
According to experts from a tow company in Brisbane, regular oil changes are essential for lowering your vehicle’s total maintenance costs. Consider how much money you may save by just purchasing a low-cost oil filter rather than spending to repair a damaged engine.
- Protection for New Oil:
According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, the filters keep new oil from becoming contaminated.
While there are suggestions for when to replace the filter, you may wish to check for the following symptoms suggested by the experts from tow company in Brisbane to see if it’s time:
- The check engine light is illuminated. This light might turn on for a variety of reasons. However, it usually indicates that something is wrong with the engine. The filter will clog up faster if there is dirt and debris in the engine.
- You spend the majority of your time driving in hazardous situations. If you pull heavy loads, drive in adverse weather, or deal with traffic on a regular basis, your filter may need to be replaced more frequently than usual.
- According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, an oil change is required. If your automobile has travelled between 5000 and 10,000 kilometres, it may be time for an oil change if you use gasoline.
- Meanwhile, if you drive a diesel vehicle, you can change the filter every 15,000 kilometres. Once again, you should consult your car’s owner’s manual to confirm the filter replacement frequency.
- With the help of good-quality synthetic oil, you can extend the life of your oil filter. Because it is far more distilled and refined, this sort of oil is superior to regular oil. As a result, there are fewer particles that clog the oil filter.
How To Change Your Car’s Oil: A Step-by-step Guide By The Experts From tow company in Brisbane:
With all of the knowledge shown above, you are now prepared to replace your car’s oil without the assistance of a professional.
Before you begin, make sure you have the following items on hand:
- Remove the drain plug with a wrench.
- Wrench for oil filters
- Funnel
- Pan for draining oil
- Gloves made of latex
- Ramps or jack stands, as well as jacks, are available (optional)
You will, of course, require new oil and an oil filter. You may need to prepare a replacement medication plug washer on occasion.
Consult your manual to find out what type of oil you’ll need and how much you’ll require. You should also take into account its viscosity as well as any specific oil needs, such as utilizing solely synthetic oil.
Now that you’re ready, follow these instructions to change your car’s oil:
1. Get Your Car Ready
According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, the automobile should be warm but not hot before you replace the oil. The exhaust system should be cool, but not bone-chillingly so. You should have already elevated the car at this point to enable easier access to it.
You may need to remove the undercover if necessary. If you have a modern automobile, you may have aerodynamic covers installed, which aid with fuel economy and cleanliness. Because these coverings usually hide the oil filter and drain plug, you may need to remove them.
2. Locate the Oil Filter and Drain Plug
According to experts from a tow company in Brisbane, most automobiles have a bottom-mounted screw-on filter. If the filter and plug are of the same design, they are separated by a large distance. After you’ve finished draining the oil and removed the filter, you’ll need to reposition the drain pain.
Before working on the oil filter, drain the engine fully and plug it back in. Meanwhile, you can remove the filter while the oil is still pouring if the drain plug and filter are closer to each other or if you have a larger pan.
3. Remove the Oil
It’s time to drain the old oil out of the engine. Make sure there’s a drain pan underneath the stopper, but not exactly beneath it. Take note of the plug’s angle so you can figure out where to put the pan. The filler cap will be removed next, allowing the oil to flow more freely.
Remove the drain plug while wearing gloves. According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, here’s where you should expect a shambles. To remove the plug, you’ll most likely need a common end wrench, which you should do slowly. Also, keep your hands away from the oil’s route, since it will gush out swiftly. You could burn your flesh if the pipe is too hot.
4. Remove and replace the drain plug
While you’re waiting for the oil to drain fully, inspect the oil drain cap. It should also be cleaned. Now is the perfect time to install a replacement drain plug washer if you have one. Some autos, on the other hand, have a permanent O-ring drain plug and do not require a replacement washer.
Even so, if you do need a replacement washer, it’s a good idea to remove the old one from the engine’s oil pan.
The next step is to tighten the drain plug with the box end of a combination wrench. A regular ratchet will work here as well, but don’t go for anything longer or larger than that to avoid over tightening the bolt.
5. Oil Filter Replacement
Remove the old filter and replace it with a fresh one. According to the experts from a tow company in Brisbane, the majority of today’s new filters don’t require you to tighten them up. However, because the sealing gaskets enlarge, it may be difficult to remove them later.
Once the filter is removed, it will quickly loosen. Make sure you’re prepared since the oil will gush out. When unscrewing the filter, take your time. You can simply unscrew it with your hand. Before you begin removing the filter, make sure the drain pan is in place. Even if oil is flowing down, make sure you don’t let go of the filter when it begins to come off.
Using the rags, remove as much oil as possible. Keep an eye on the filter’s sealing surface to make sure it doesn’t have the old filter’s O-ring. It frequently sticks to the surface and goes undetected until you try to close the O-rings.
Smear a little new oil on the replacement filter’s O-ring that you just placed before replacing the filter.
6. Put the New Filter in Place
As you attach the filter, maintain a firm hold. Gently spin the filter until the O-ring makes contact with the sealing surface. Every expert from a tow company in Brisbane draws a line of reference and recommends you to do the same with a marker or pen before tightening the new filter into place.
Oil filters should be tightened to about a third of a turn and no more until the O-ring and sealing surface make their first contact. To determine the exact amount, read the instructions on the oil filter box.
7. Replace the old oil in it
You can now add oil after securing the drain bolt and filter in place and tightening them properly. To find out how much your engine requires, consult your manual. It is recommended, however, that you use one litre less than the specified quantity.
8. Put the oil cap back on
You can replace the oil cap once you’ve poured all of the required oil. Run the engine for 30 seconds to a minute to see if it’s working. It aids in the circulation of oil throughout the engine. Then you should turn off the motor and make sure there are no leaks beneath the work area.
You can now remove the ramps or jack stands if you’re happy with the results.
9. Check that the oil level is correct
After removing the ramps, the automobile is now on flat ground. You still have to check the oil, so your job isn’t finished yet. Tow company in Brisbane suggested that you slightly underfill the oil in the previous section.
As a result, it’s not surprising that you’ll need to add a little more. When the oil level reaches the hash mark or hole, you know the oil level is full.
10. Properly dispose of the oil and filter
The next step is to double-check that you’ve properly disposed of the rubbish. Never throw the filter or the oil anywhere. You can take them to a store that sells auto components and oil.
They frequently accept leftover oil for no charge. If the business refuses to accept old oil, you can find hazardous waste drop-off locations in Brisbane.