Car Care: Change Your Oil

Changing the oil in your car can seem like finding the answer to world peace, but it's not hard at all! Driving a car with dirty oil results in reduced gas mileage and promotes engine damage. Clean oil will keep the engine's parts moving, reduce friction between parts, and picks up dirt that would otherwise wear out your engine.

The first step, in knowing how to change your oil, is to locate the dipstick. No, not your best mate or spouse. The dipstick is where you check exactly how much oil your car has. Often, it has a plastic T-shape handle with, the words "oil dipstick" stamped on top in white letters. Two smaller dipsticks are located in the general area, but we don't need those. One is for power steering and the other is for the transmission. The longest dipstick is the one we're looking for.

Now that we've determined the dipstick location. Turn off your engine, if it isn't off already. When the engine is running, oil will splash up the dipstick making an accurate reading impossible. Next, pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean towel. Preferably, not with the fancy towels your spouse bought to decorate the bathroom with. Grab an old, holy, miserable looking towel fro oil changes.

After wiping the dipstick clean, put it back into the hole you just pulled it out of. Yes, there is a purpose to this. Every dipstick has a mark to indicate the proper level your car's oil should be at. Under the line indicator is a section etched in a crisscross pattern. Don't worry almost there. Below the crisscross pattern is the word "add" which is, of course, telling you to add more oil. When you can see the word "add" above the oil line, the engine is one quart low. This is the only time you need to add more oil! No measuring required, just purchase a standard-size container from the store and pour it in.

Some dipsticks have dots or notches to indicate low oil. The top dot is reserved for "full" and the bottom dot is "low." Also, the dots or notches don't always mean add exactly one quart. If the dipstick has dots or notches, doesn't specify "add one quart," then add only half of a quart. Wait after adding the half quart to see where the oil level is at now. More oil may be needed if the level isn't at the top dot. Once a trial run is completed the second time you'll know exactly how much to add.

If it's too difficult to read your dipstick, then that means you have dirty oil. Oil should be transparent with slight golden hue. A golden hue means the oil is clean. Changing your oil regularly can save you money.

Now, it's time to get dirty. Grab a wrench and loosen the plug on the oil pan. Beware, loosen the plug slowly and position the pan to catch the old oil. Make sure to have a pan that will hold five quarts. No, milk jugs don't hold five quarts. Buy an oil pan at the local auto store. A plus, you can sell your old oil to mechanics. The mechanics will clean the oil, add an additive, and resell it as discounted.

Once the dirty work is done, tighten the plug back on. Use your fingers first to tighten the plug, but then use a wrench for a one-quarter turn. This ensures that the plug will remain it place. Oil spilling all over the highway isn't something one desires.

Along with the oil change the air filter must be replaced too. If your oil is dirty then so is the filter. A screwdriver will do the trick. One twist to the left should release the oil filter and remaining oil. Having a rag ready for spillage is a must. Make sure to clean around the filter area before installing the new filter. Dip your finger into the new oil and rub some around the rubber ring, called a gasket. Twist the filter into place with your hands and finish with a wrench. Tighten with the same method as the oil plug. Twist with a quarter turn.

Add the new oil into a rubber, metal, or plastic top that is located on top of the engine. The hole on top of the engine is about the same size as the top of your oil container. Pour the new oil in and replug the opening. Now that wasn't so bad? Only thirty minutes to change your oil and filter, plus you made a few bucks.