To drain the oil in your vehicle first remove the oil filler cap under the hood of your car. Place a catch pan under the oil pan of your car, and remove the oil drain plug, allowing the oil to flow into the pan. Then locate your oil filter. The position varies between makes and models but the thread direction is always the same. To remove it twist it to the left!!! LEFT!!! I usually loosen it a half a turn and then replace the oil drain plug, wiping off any excess oil around the drain plug. Then remove the oil filter. Check to make sure that the circular rubber gasket came off with the filter. Putting a new oil filter on with a new gasket with the old one still attached is referred to as "double gasketing" and can lead to some costly repairs, so be very careful! Once you verify the old gasket is removed, install the new oil filter, lubing the new gasket with fresh oil. Turn it until it the gasket squishes against the mating surface and then give it another 1/4 turn. After this just replace your engine oil with the proper quantity and weight, determined by manufacturer by engine size.
Then turn the vehicle on for a few seconds and turn back off. Remove oil dipstick and wipe clean. Reinsert and when you remove again the level on the dipstick will be the engine oil level. All dipsticks are clearly marked as to what is the safe oil operating level.
Perform the necessary maintenance reminder light and you are good to go!! This along with replacing your engine air filter, spark plugs and changing your fluids regularly will go a long way to preserving the life of your vehicle!!! Most conventional motor oils these days, begin to breakdown at around 5000 miles so changing your oil based on that will prevent sludge buildup. If you see and leaks on your engine either take it to a shop, or refer to future articles I will be posting. I will try to cover as many topics as possible, and if you have a problem you have been working through or a topic you would like discussed, feel free to drop me a line!! Also a quick tip, air up your tires to keep your fuel costs down!!! Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressures, as indicated on the manufacturers tire stamp on the inside of the door, will help maximize your fuel economy, and is an all around smart safety practice!!
