Owning a car comes with a whole lot of expenses, especially when it comes to the maintenance part of it. Since you spend a significant amount of money, even to buy a used car in Calgary, it always comes in handy to do certain maintenance services by yourself. Taking your car to a professional mechanic to get a proper service annually is a must in order to ensure the durability of the car. However, having a clear idea about changing your own oil helps you have a better understanding of the inner workings of your vehicle and also helps save a significant amount of money as well.
Note: The entire process of changing the oil will take up to one hour of your time. You will be more efficient and do it a lot faster as you get used to it.
Materials and tools needed:
- Oil
- New oil filter
- Drain plug washer
- Funnel
- Wrench
- Drain pan
- Ramps
- Rugs
- Gloves to protect
How to do:
Initial checkup of oil
Before you start the oil change, you need to get a good look at the type of oil you will need to change and also a rough estimation of how much oil you will need. You can get a thorough idea about this step from the owner’s manual. It will tell you exactly the type and the amount of oil that will be needed. Check the amount and buy a little more than needed in case of spills or mistakes.
Get your tools and supplies together
Before you start changing the oil, it is always better to get your tools together and keep them at a comfortable distance in order to reduce the time and effort needed during the process. Keep all your wrenches, the filters and the rest of the supplies safely near you.
Prepare your car
In order to make a successful oil change, your car needs to be warm but not too hot. A stone cold car would make the entire process unsuccessful. If you feel like the car should be raised to successfully change the oil, do it before you start working with the supplies too. This will ensure better safety and efficiency.
Changing the oil
Locate the filter and the drain plug and carefully drain the remaining oil. Keep the drain pan at an angle under the drain plug to avoid any spills. Do not rush through it. Once it is fully drained, clean the drain plug and make a new replacement if needed. Properly tighten the plug. Remove the oil filter carefully, with your drain pan under it. It is always good to keep a bundle of rags near you to avoid any mess. Install the new filter and tighten it with a good grip. You might need to remove your gloves to get a better grip during this step.
Now is the time to add the new oil. Hold your bottle at an angle on its side for a clean and smooth pour. A good tip here is to put about one quart less oil than the recommended amount. You can add the remaining amount later. Once you are done, replace the oil cap and tighten it carefully. Clean up any mess.
Start your engine and run it for about 30 seconds until the new oil gets to fully circulate. Then shut it down and let it cool while you check for any leaks that you may have made while changing the oil. If everything is done well and you are satisfied, lower the ramps and get the car to the ground level.
Finally, check the level of your oil again. Add the remaining oil now. Properly dispose of your old oil and filters. There are many Calgary used car maintenance stores that will take your waste oil without any charges. Now, you are good to go!