How To Change Car Oil-Photo Illustrated

In this photo illustrated tutorial, I will show you how to change car oil, it is a simple task, but can bear dire consequences for the uninformed, so here is help at hand to show you how to simply change car oil. car oil is contaminated by burnt fuel residue which builds up in the engine, therefore it is necessary to change car oil frequently.

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Changing Car Engine Oil (spin on filter system)

It is necessary to change engine oil in our cars as frequently as the manufacturers recommended service intervals usually 15000 Kms. for modern fuel injection car’s and 10000 Kms. for older carburettor cars.

Here is a simple and easy explanation of how to perform an engine oil change.

When changing car oil I recommend

Replacing the engine oil with a recommended grade of quality oil. ( See your car’s owner’s manual)
Replacing the oil filter, as it blocks contaminants in the engine oil from circulating throughout the engine.
To flush the engine, this rids the engine of sludge and prepares it for the clean oil, it also increases engine performance.

Tools needed

Car Jack (Bottle or Scissors)
2 Axle Stands
Oil Receptacle
Sump Plug Spanner
Oil Filter Wrench
Oil Funnel
A few Rags
Ground Covering to lay on, old cardboard works best
An old pair of thin gloves

Parts Needed

Oil, Filter and Sump Plug

Engine Flush 375ml ( good for up to 5L engine capacity)
Engine Oil 5l / appropriate grade (consult your car’s User’s Manual or your local Auto Parts Store)
Oil Filter
Replacement Sump Plug Copper Washer
Thread Tape (Plumber’s Tape)

Procedure

Park the car on a level hard surface such as a garage floor, a concrete driveway etc. Set the Parking Brake.

Place Axle Stands for Safety

Jack the car up in the front, and put the axle stands in place, most cars have jacking points so this will be an appropriate place to position the axle stands without damage to your car.

Open the bonnet and secure with the bonnet brace, some cars have lift struts, make sure that it is not worn and the bonnet will not come down on you.

Secure The Bonnet

If worn use a broomstick and ensure it will not come into contact with any moving parts of the car’s engine.

Make sure the car engine is warm, if not, allow it to idle for at least 5 minutes, turn the engine off, and locate the oil filler cap, remove the oil filler cap and add the engine flush to the old oil, replace the oil filler cap, set a timer ( I use my cell phone) for 15 minutes, ensure that the transmission is in Neutral or Park.

Add the Engine Flush

Start the car and allow to idle for 15 minutes.

While the engine is idling, you can do basic checks around your car, such as

lights operation
wipers operation
wiper washer reservoir levels
power steering fluid levels
brake and clutch fluid levels
transmission oil level and leaks
tire pressure and wear
undercarriage condition
suspension component visual checks
cv rubber boot condition
brake pad condition and wear
steering rack boot condition
drivetrain condition
battery condition
check rotating pulleys for alignment while the engine is running
visually check fan belt slack (do not touch, as the engine will be running)

The above list is not exhaustive.

Locate the engine’s sump plug, and find the appropriate size wrench to remove it.
After 15 minutes, switch the engine off, and place an oil receptacle in the appropriate place just beneath the sump plug,

Oil Receptacle To Drain Old oil

Remove the oil filler cap and dipstick.

Loosen and remove the sump plug with the appropriate wrench, (remember righty tighty, lefty loosey), the oil will drain out of the engine rapidly, and it will be hot, so be quick at moving your hands away from the flowing oil and have a rag ready to wipe up any unexpected spills.

Loosen Oil Drain Plug

Hot Flowing Oil

Allow the oil flow enough time to become a trickle

Oil Completely Drained

With the aid of an oil filter wrench remove the oil filter as illustrated here.

Loosen The Oil Filter

Ensure that the oil filter rubber gasket does not stay behind on the oil filter flange.

Clean The Contact Surface

Replace the sump plug washer with the new one, apply thread tape to the sump plug washer threads, this helps with sealing the oil drain hole more efficiently.

Apply a film of oil to the new oil filter’s rubber gasket, to prevent it from biting into the contact surface and damaging the gasket.

Lubing The Oil Filter Seal

Clean the oil filter flange surface with a clean rag.

Preparing To Fit The Oil Filter

Make sure not to cross thread the spin on oil filter, it should turn on very easily, tighten it by hand as tight as possible, no tool needed.

Fit And Hand Tighten The Oil Filter

A leaking oil filter can result in engine failure.

Fit the sump plug, by threading it by hand, turning it as tight as you can by hand.

ReFit The Sump Plug

Tighten with the appropriate wrench, do not over tighten as you may duplicate this procedure in the future.

Tighten The Sump Plug

Fill the engine with at least 3L of clean Engine Oil and check the level with the dipstick.

Filling With The Correct Grade And Quantity Of Oil

Insert the dipstick into the dipstick tube all the way, until it cannot go any further, remove the dipstick and wipe it with a rag, replace the dipstick into the engine all the way, leave for at least 5 seconds, then remove and check the level on the dipstick,

Checking The Oil Level

Most dipsticks have a, Max. & Min. / L-low & F-full marked on it, if it is below the F or Max., put more oil into the engine, say 200ml, at a time, you do not want to overfill it, check the level again as explained above, when the desired oil level is achieved, replace the oil filler cap and tighten.

With cleaned hands, start the engine, observing the oil light on the dashboard,

Start The Engine

It should go out within 10 seconds, let the vehicle idle while you check the oil filter and sump plug for leaks.

Ensure The Oil Light Goes Out Within Seconds

Switch the engine off and check the oil level again, it should require about 200 – 400 ml of engine oil, depending on the size of the oil filter, as the oil filter would now be filled up.

Fill the engine oil to the correct level.