The following instructions are for when you need to change the oil in your car.
1. Find the place where the old oil is stored in your car or where you plan to put the new one. This will be either under the hood if you have an older kind of vehicle, or in the engine bay in newer vehicles.
2. Put on safety glasses and gloves to avoid spilling oil in your eyes and onto your hands.
3. If there is already oil spilled in that specific area then clean it up with a cloth or paper towels that are non-scratching so that any metal parts can not scratch each other. Begin by removing any bolts holding everything together; this will make it easier to take out the old oil filter and drain plug.
4. Once all bolts and screws holding down your engine or engine bay components have been removed, you can now take out the old oil filter and drain plug from their places. The oil filter will most likely need a pressure release screw to be loosened before it comes off, as well as a few cranks of a filter wrench. Be sure to not use too much force because you could break something. Also, make sure that there is already an empty container nearby to catch any leaking oil from the new filter you are going to put in place after this step has been completed!
5. Take out the old bottom washer from under the drain plug at this time as well – if there isn’t one, don’t worry. Make sure to clean out the drain plug and put some new oil around the rubber seal of your new bottom washer before you tighten it on.
6. Now comes what can be a very frustrating part of changing your own oil: removing the old oil from the car’s motor itself. There is usually either a metal or plastic screw that holds down an entire section of your engine bay cover just under where the hood rests when closed; remove this and store somewhere inside of your car so you won’t lose it. Underneath this cover should be a catch all container for any leaks – empty this into another container and discard after use, as well as wipe up all spilled oil with paper towels or rags until you have a clean engine surface to work on.
7. Now you should be able to see your car’s oil pan, which will be under where the old oil filter was. Be sure to drain any excess from the top of this as well – this is usually more difficult because of how close it is to the bottom of your car, but try using rags or paper towels underneath it and make sure all spills are cleaned up immediately afterward!
8. Replace both the new oil filter and plug after you have bought them at an auto store (or wherever), following steps 4-6 in reverse order now that everything has already been taken apart. This time around when putting back together, start with the last things you took off; this usually means putting back on the bottom washer before you tighten up the drain plug again.
9. Finally, replace all bolts and screws that held your engine bay together; do not forget about your catch-all container if this has been removed recently! Always make sure to dispose of old oil at an approved recycling center! Now go enjoy your car without having to worry about an oil change!
If you are looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle, then visit the Binghamton Auto Exchange at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, NY, or call us today at 607-754-9118.
