How do I change my car’s oil, how often should I do it and why is it important?
CHANGING your vehicle's engine oil is one of the basic requirements of owning a car.
It may seem like a daunting process, but maintaining adequate oil levels can be relatively painless if you know what you're doing.
Your car's engine is made up of many moving parts which need to be properly lubricated to perform its functions.
Keeping adequate levels of oil in your car allows this happen.
Here's how you can look after your vehicle and make sure it doesn't breakdown when you need it most.
How do I change my car’s oil?
Before you begin the oil change, warm up your car to clear out any left over gunk in the engine.
Once your car is turned off, locate the drain plug on the bottom of your engine, place an empty container beneath it and unscrew the bolt.
Oil should begin to start flowing quite quickly into the container.
On the top of your engine where you top up the oil, remove the cap and unscrew your oil filter.
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You'll need to empty the oil from the filter and wrap it in newspaper.
Screw the new filter into the engine where the old one was and replace the drain plug once all the oil has drained.
You should pour around one litre of oil into the top of the engine and screw the cap on tightly, before running your engine for a minute.
After letting your car cool down, you'll need to top up your oil until it reaches the "full" level on the dipstick.
Once this has been achieved, take your car for a test drive and double check the oil levels again.
If it's full after a quick drive, you've successfully completed your oil change.
How often should I do it?
As a general rule, you should change your engine oil every 3,000-5,000 miles or approximately every six months.
Depending on your car's age, oil type and driving conditions, you may be able to change the oil every 7,500-10,000 miles.
You can check your owner's manual to find out exactly how often the manufacturer recommends to change your oil.
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Why is it important?
Over time, oil begins to break down and can become contaminated with dust and dirt.
If you're engine isn't properly lubricated, it can cause your car to overheat and break down.
Routinely changing your oil can help to keep your vehicle on the road and avoid costly repairs to your engine.
Maintaining your engine oil properly can also reduce fuel consumption and the longevity of your vehicle.