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Features : Auto Care |
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| Before You Begin: If you live within city limits, be sure to check with the city manager's office to see if they have any regulations about working on your own vehicle in your yard or driveway. |
Park your vehicle on a level surface and put blocks of wood or bricks behind the rear tires.
Jack the front of the vehicle up enough for you to get underneath. Be SURE to put jackstands under the body behind the front wheels) or put some timbers under the tires and let the weight off the jack.
Put a piece of cardboard, or an old blanket, underneath the vehicle to lie down on.
Get a pail or pan that will hold at least 6 or 7 quarts of liquid to drain the oil into.
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You will need a wrench to remove the oil pan drain plug. PLEASE, don't use one of those "adjustable" things. All they do is "round" the shoulders on the plug. Get the proper tool. You need a filter wrench that will fit your oil filter. Be sure the engine has had time to cool down. Hot oil will burn you and burn you, and keep on burning you! Now, the best way to go about this is to see where the oil filter is. If it will be just above you, leave it until last. Put the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug and remove the plug, slowly. Once you have it loose, you can remove it with your fingers, it's easier. |
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After the oil stops running out of the oil pan, put the plug back in by hand. Don't force it, make sure you can twist it up easy, you don't want to "cross-thread" it (you would be looking for me then!). Tighten it with the wrench. When you get it "snug", put a small amount of "pressure" on the wrench. Not too much, but we don't want it to leak, either! Have on cloth gloves or use paper towels because oil will probably run down the side of the filter. Continue to twist the filter off and put it into the drain pan. |
Now, move the drain pan (slowly) under the oil filter. Take the filter wrench and slip it over the oil filter, being sure you have the handle where it will tighten up on the filter when you pull the handle toward you.
Pull the filter wrench handle toward you. Sometimes this might take quite a lot of pressure. When the oil filter breaks loose you can remove the wrench and turn it with your hand.
Unless your oil filter is positioned upside-down, you want to pour fresh oil into it. Be sure to put oil on the rubber gasket. That protects the seal and makes it easier to remove next time.
As you put the new filter onto the threaded spout, be VERY careful not to "cross-thread" it. If you can twist it easily, you're ok.
Once you get it snug, tighten it as much as you can with your hand (unless you're a football player).
Now, I usually take the filter wrench and turn it about an inch, or less. You don't want to get it too tight, it will squeeze the mating material and cause oil to seep from around it.
Now, jack the car up and take the supports out and lower the vehicle back down onto its tires.
Raise the hood and remove the oil filler cap (the 710 if your cap is backward and has OIL written on it) :-).
Most vehicles take 5 quarts (with filter) to refill them. Some take only 4.5 quarts. I usually put in 4 quarts, crank the engine, check the oil pressure gauge, or light; check for leaks underneath the vehicle (plug/filter), then turn the engine off.
Let the vehicle sit for about 15-20 minutes.
Pull the oil dipstick out and wipe it off. Replace it and pull it back out and look where the oil level is.
If it's just a quarter to a half inch from the "Full" mark, I add only a half-quart of oil, then check it again.
You will need to take the old oil and filter to a repair shop or a disposal location to discard it.
PLEASE, don't pour it out on the ground! EPA!!!
So, you don't have to wait in line to get your oil changed anymore! Never, ever, again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He currently owns and operates Pollok Auto Repair: www.pollokautorepair.com or contact him by email at tommys@netdot.com
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