Oil and Filter Change

Getting our supplies for the repair. In this case it is actually called preventative maintenance. Because it is something that needs to be done every 4000 to 7500 miles. If you live in a dusty area you’ll want to change oil and filter more frequently. We need to go to our nearest auto parts store. We buy cases of motor oil its more reasonable in volume. During the summer months we recommend 10W-40 motor oil.

Engines run so much hotter and need more protection. During the winter months we recommend 5W-20. This is because when it is cold the oil is very thick. In this instance it does not flow very well to lubricate all parts of the engine. We recommend that you let your engine idle for at least 30-60 seconds. This will make sure that sufficient lubrication reaches moving vital internal engine parts.

The type of motor oil will be your choice. We have always used Valvoline in all of our vehicles. Some people prefer synthetic oil in their engines. Synthetics have definitely been proven so it would be up to the customer choice of oils. There is a product called Mobil 1, which is synthetic oil. The price of the oil is more expensive but they guarantee it for 75,000 miles. It’s also recommended that you use it for the life of the new vehicle.

We also need to get an oil filter and there are several brands. But there are quite a few choices. To save time we will recommend the Fram Oil Filter with dual filtering protection. We also need an oil filter wrench. There are two types, an adjustable and a bottom cap wrench. Do not forget the oil drain pan. The government now says you need to dispose of your oil. Most gas fueling stations have a place for dumping used oils.

Finally a pair of neoprene car ramps; they are rated at 2 tons or 4000 lbs. If you have a heavier Suv or Truck, I would suggest you get the metal ramps to hold 4 ton or 8000 lbs. So the ramps that you get will depend on the weight of your vehicle. You need to start stocking your tool cabinet. Good set of starter wrenches would be combination set. It has an Open End and Box End on each wrench.

The difference between the two wrenches is that the Box End goes completely around the nut or bolt. The Open End slides on a nut or bolt. Tools are essential to your vehicle repair kit. First get a set of Combination SAE wrenches and Metric wrenches. The SAE set will remove nuts and bolts ranging from ¼ in to 13/16 in. Metric set will remove nuts and bolts ranging from 6mm to 19mm.

We will also need a set of sockets in SAE and Metric. The socket sets are sold by the size of the drive wrench. We have 3/8, 1/2 and 1 inch drives. The best size all around for a set of sockets is the half-inch drive. The different sizes of drives are for smaller and larger nuts and bolts. Buying too large of drive socket set will create too much torque and break the smaller nuts and bolts.

We like having a 3/8 in and 1/2 in sockets so that we can do several kinds of jobs. We also need a set Metric sockets. If you have a large vehicle you will want to get the 1in drive and sockets. You essentially have a mini shop. Add Phillips and Flat Head screwdrivers. Buy Slip-Jaw and Needle Nose pliers. This shop is equipped and ready to work.

Tools: Ramps-$30; Case of Oil-$18.42 (12quarts); Oil Filter-$3.49; Air Cleaner-$9.19; Oil Drain Pan-$7.50; Oil Filter Wrench-$4.99; Total-$79.10; Wrenches--Combination SAE-$15; Combination Metric-$15; Socket Set-3/8 in-$10; 1/2 in drive-$10; 1 in drive-$10; Total Cost-$143.60

Now you have all the tools and equipment to change your oil two times. Plus you have purchased the wrenches that you will need for all other repairs. The Total Amount of $138.15 is not very expensive at all. Plus as you are making these repairs your self will see. The savings will be 10 times the amount you spend on your tools. Now its time to proceed to our job of changing our oil and replacing the oil filter. First thing we will do is place ramps in line with the front of the vehicle. Pull vehicle up on ramps and stop in wheel tray at the top. We usually keep a piece of cardboard box 4 X 6 ft to put under vehicle. This gives us a clean area to lay on. The oil pan is on the bottom of the engine. Open the vehicle hood and remove the filler cap on the top of the engine. You will know this is the oil fill cap because it will be labeled with 10w-40. Remove and place the cap by the rest of the tools.

The reason we have removed this cap is so that the engine gets air. This way the oil will drain faster and smoother into the drain pan. Now lets remove the oil filter first. It will be located in the front of the engine on some vehicle. On others it is in the rear of the engine. When you find the location of the oil filter. Place your drip pan underneath so the oil drips in the pan. Removing the oil filter by turning it counter clockwise.

The oil filter will be full of oil. Try to keep the oil contained to the drip pan. There are several methods of removing the filter. Once you have finished the procedure a few times, you will learn your own technique. Lets take off the oil filter. Put the wrench on so that band tightens against the filter. You will know the wrench is on correctly. Because as it turns counter-clockwise the filter begins to loosen. Once removed pour oil into drip pan and dispose of old filter.

Putting on a new oil filter. Apply a thin layer of oil on the rubber seal with your finger. This keeps the seal from drying up. Only hand tighten the oil filter, turn clockwise one quarter turn. Means about 12 to 3 on a clock. Very good job, the first part of your task is completed. Move the drip pan under the engine.

We will now take a 1/2in drive with a 5/8in socket. The procedure is to turn the bolt counter clockwise. So as you are lying under the vehicle looking up at the oil pan drain nut. Looking up at the wrench, wrench on your right side. You would pull the wrench towards you. This will be in a counter clockwise motion. Just get the bolt loose enough that you will be able to turn it by hand. (DO NOT DROP PLUG IN DRIP PAN)

Now make sure your drain pan is just a bit forward of the plug. The oil will come out rather quickly when you remove the bolt. Adjust the placement of the oil pan so the oil drains in it. (Good Job) Right now you can take a little

break. Because you need to let the oil drain out completely. This process takes about 15 minutes. While you are on your break, get your car manual from the glove box. Look under specifications in the index. Go to the page and it will tell you how much oil you will put back into the engine. It will say with or without filter. We want to know of course how many quarts of oil with the filter. Most cars will be 4 1/2 to 5 quarts.

Some trucks might be 5 to 6 quarts. People like their vehicle to perform well. They have a deep well oil pan that holds more oil than the standard type. The specifications said your vehicle requires 5 quarts of oil with filter change. The oil is completely drained and the oil pan plug needs to be put back in the pan. (DO NOT FORGET THE PLUG) The pan plug has a metal seal the keeps it from falling out or leaking.

The oil pan plug needs to be tightened to about 20 ft pounds. You are very good students. Keep following my instruction and we will complete our job. Some mechanics like to replace the pan plug washer every time the oil is changed. We always check the seal to make sure it has not been flattened. In most cases the seal will be fine. To much torque exerted on the plug will flatten the seal and cause it to leak.

Just remember no more than 20ft pounds very snug. The oil plug has been replaced and we can now put in our lubricant. It is going to be very warm for at least another 3 or 4 months so we recommend using Valvoline 10W-40 motor oil. Get out your funnel and save yourself some cleanup. If you spill oil on the engine block you are going to see a cloud of smoke. Place the funnel in the valve cover, where you removed the filler cap.

The specifications called for 5 quarts with filter. We put five quarts of 10w-40 motor oil as required by the engine specs. Now replace the oil filler cap. Start the car or truck and back off the ramps. Now stop the engine and wait about five minutes. We needed to have vehicle level to check full line on dipstick. Have a shop rag, pull the stick straight out and check level quickly. There are a couple of different readings.

The top line says it is full. There are small dots on the stick; these increments are about two ounces. The next line means that you need to add a quart of oil. Job well done.