Save Yourself Some Money by Doing Your Own Synthetic Oil Change

Engine oil is essential for the safe and smooth functioning of any vehicle. It lubricates the tiny, metallic components in the motor, combats friction and thereby helps to control the temperature. Engine oil also plays an important role in protecting your engine from wear, damage and rust. It gradually degrades over time, so needs to be changed at regular intervals. If you change your oil every 3,000 miles, that could mean more than five times per year. If you’re spending fifty dollars a time to take your car in for an oil change, that could add up to $250 or even $300 a year. Did you know that you can save yourself time and money by conducting your own oil change at home? In this month's blog, your local AMSOIL Dealer – James Martin has put together a step by step guide to explain how to save hundreds of dollars a year by doing your own synthetic oil change.

Preparation

Firstly, turn on the engine for a few minutes to warm up the existing oil and get it moving around the circuit. This will make it easier to remove. Now, park your vehicle on a flat surface in a safe location such as a driveway. As a safety precaution, you should stabilize the rear wheels using blocks before attempting to raise the front of the vehicle. Once your vehicle is stable, consult your owner’s manual to locate the jacking points, and use a mechanical jack to raise the front. Use jack stands at jacking points for stability and safety. You will want to ensure that your vehicle is 100% stable before getting under it. You can check this by pushing down on the front, or try rocking the vehicle to ensure that it doesn’t move. Once you have jacked the car up and stabilized it, find the oil port and place a plastic container underneath it, ready to collect the used oil.

Draining the Oil

You should use gloves when changing the oil to protect your hands. Lift up the hood of your car and identify the oil cap which you can see on top of the engine. Carefully remove this cap, bearing in mind that it may still be hot. Next, look for the oil pan and drain plug on the underside of the vehicle. If you are unsure, look in your owner’s manual to find their exact location. Remove the oil plug carefully using a wrench and oil will begin to drip out of the port. Wait several minutes to ensure that all of the dirty oil has drained out of the circuit. You can now replace the oil plug. This is a good opportunity to clean and update some components such as the washer and the gasket. You should always use synthetic oils as they provide better lubrication and protection at a wider range of temperatures than conventional oils. Contact your local AMSOIL Dealer – Green Spring Tractor at (717) 776-4040 to find out more about the benefits of synthetic oil.

Replacing the Oil Filter

Now it’s time to locate the oil filter. There are many varieties of oil filter and you should look in your manual to find out which one your vehicle uses and where to find it. When you have found the oil filter, unscrew it carefully. You can do this by hand, or you can purchase a specialist oil filter removal tool. The oil filter may still contain oil so be carefully not to spill it. Lubricate the gasket ring of the new filter with a little oil before inserting it. This helps to create a good seal.

Adding New Oil

Finally, it’s time to add new oil to the circuit. The manual will stipulate how much oil you should add at a time. You can pour it directly from the bottle into the fill hole, or use a funnel. Once you have added the correct amount of oil, replace the fill cap, make sure that you have not left any tools lying around near the engine, and close the hood. Turn the engine on and check that the oil pressure light switches off after a few seconds.

Use the Right Product for Your Synthetic Oil Change

Using a top-quality oil is the best way to get the most out of your engine. To ensure you get the right one for your car, call your local AMSOIL Dealer – Green Spring Tractor today at (717) 776-4040 to learn more about the benefits of a synthetic oil change.