What are the steps for changing engine oil and oil filter?
2 Answers
The steps for changing engine oil and oil filter are: 1. Remove the drain plug and drain the engine oil; 2. After draining, clean the drain plug and reinstall it tightly; 3. Loosen the oil filter using an oil filter wrench; 4. Apply engine oil to the O-ring of the new oil filter; 5. Hand-tighten the new oil filter onto the filter bracket until the O-ring contacts the mounting surface, then tighten it with the oil filter wrench; 6. Add engine oil. The standard for adding oil is to keep the oil level between the low and high marks on the dipstick.
When I change the oil and filter myself, I usually warm up the engine for a few minutes before shutting it off, as this helps the oil drain more completely. After it cools down, safety first—I jack up the car and place a cardboard sheet underneath before lying down. Locate the oil pan drain bolt, loosen it, and let the oil drip into a large pan. Next, tackle the oil filter; old filters can be tight, so I use a specialized tool to remove them. Remember to apply a bit of fresh oil to the new filter's gasket—don’t skip this step, or you might end up with leaks. Once fully drained, tighten all bolts, pour new oil into the engine port slowly—one quart at a time—and finally check the dipstick to ensure the level is in the middle. The whole process requires the right tools: wrenches, a drain pan, rags, and I always keep synthetic oil on hand for longer intervals. Properly disposing of used oil is crucial—I take mine to AutoZone to avoid environmental pollution.
