How to Change the Oil in Your Car - Essay Example

Introduction Engine oil in a car’s engine is fundamental to its performance provided a constant supply of the same is given to all the moving parts of the engine. It is a misconception that engine oil reduces friction between the moving parts of an engine. However, engine oil plays an important role it acts as a crucial element which removes excessive heat from the cylinder liners of the engine. The life of an engine oil is measured in kilometers or miles, whichever distance a vehicle has covered. Engine oil needs to be replaced at regular intervals as per the manufacturer guidelines attached to the engine oil. Also, if the vehicle is used in moisture or in a high dirt environment replace the engine oil as dirt and moisture cause damage to the engine. Cylinderblock which has a sump right under it, is the place where engine oil is located. The sump is the engine’s lowest part it is a container housing to the crankshaft. Engine oil is supplied from the sump for lubrication and cooling of the cylinders. The lower most point of the metal container (sump) has an oil drain plug which is situated alike in almost all typical cars to remove the entire engine oil. Likewise, to fill in the engine oil there is a cap next to air filter known as the engine oil cap. Always remember that oil is filled in from oil cap and drained from the oil plug. The used oil is drained out during the engine oil removing process by removing the oil drain plug. As the engine oil is about to drain out, the engine oil filter needs to be replaced with a new one, it is located near the engine oil drain plug. After the oil is drained completely, refit the oil drain plug and then pour in the new engine oil from the oil cap next to the air filter. With precautions and specific guidelines, changing engine oil becomes very easy. If everything goes well any well practiced person would be able to change the oil within fifteen minutes. Engine oil is changed from the lowermost portion of the engine, always keep in mind that the engine might also be hot and pose potential safety threats. Heated engine oil can drain out completely clearing the engine when the engine of the vehicle is still hot. Without proper safety gears never try to change the oil as the engine and its parts are hot and may cause serious burns and injuries. It is advised that the car’s engine oil should be changed in such a place where there are proper mechanisms designed and fitted to access the lowest part of the engine. As the ground clearance of almost all cars is such that an adult can barely fit in, also we should not try to lift the car using a jack or by other similar technique failure of which could be fatal. Thus, workshop or a repair shop is the best place to perform this activity as there are pits to access the underbelly of the car. Required Materials Spanners (Metric sizes 15 to 25) Oil filter wrench New engine oil (3 to 4 liters) New engine oil filter Oil tray for draining oil Ratchet wrench Goggles Cotton working gloves Pieces of cotton cloth for oil cleanup (synthetic clothes should be avoided outright) Figure 1 - Typical tools required for an engine oil change Required Operations Operation One: Heating up the engine oil The engine oil should be heated before removal in order to ensure that the oil has the proper viscosity required to move through small openings and gaps in the engine case. 1. Crank the engine in order to heat it up if the car has not been driven already. The temperature indicator determines if the car is ready for an engine oil change. Although, if the car has already been driven prior to oil-replacement the engine oil would be hot enough to be replaced. Figure 2 – picture of an Indicator determining the car’s temperature. 2. Now, as the car’s engine is heated up, the hood is to be lifted attaching the supporting rod for an easier access to the engine bay. 3. Once the hood is open find the engine oil cap, which is next to the air filter and remove it. As the engine parts are hot it is recommended to use a loose cotton cloth along with the gloves to remove open the engine oil cap. Figure 3 – Picture of a hand removing the engine oil cap. 4. Keep the removed engine oil cap in sight so the it can easily be located when required. It is important to move in chronological steps and remove the engine oil cap before the engine oil plug as proper flow of in and out of air is required to empty the used oil. Please ensure while the oil cap that your face and your hands are not close and clear off from the engine oil cap hole. As we remove the engine oil cap hot engine’s oil in vapor state will emerge, causing skin irritation and burns if it’s too hot. Figure 4 - Typical car engine bay with the engine showing. Figure 5 – picture of a Ratchet wrench. Figure 6 – Things required for changing engine oil in a car. Operation Two: Removing the engine oil plug and draining the oil The engine oil plug is located on the underbelly of the engine and requires careful manipulation to remove. There is typically restricted working space on the underbelly of the engine so care is required to navigate the space with tools. 1. While working on the car’s engine which is still hot, ensure that there is enough space for movement and the workplace should be organized to minimize the risk of getting in contact with the hot parts of the engine. Figure 7 – Car lifted to create space to access its underbelly. 2. With the help of a spanner, open the engine oil plug. It is advised that first tighten the jammed engine oil plug slightly and then gently apply torque to open up the drain plug. This makes the draining process smooth. Figure 8 – Using a spanner to open the engine oil plug. 3. To open the engine oil drain plug, remember that torque is to be applied anti clockwise. If the plug seems to be jammed use a long rod to increase the level of torque. 4. Always remember to wear gloves and then remove the plug gently. It is important to use cotton gloves as the engine parts might be at a high temperature and may cause injury. Figure 9 – In the picture a hand wearing gloves is rotating the plug in anti-clockwise direction. 5. The engine oil drain plug should be removed gently but as fast as possible because the used engine oil will start draining as the plug is removed. 6. There must be a tray available and ready to use for catching the draining oil from the sump. Place the tray beneath the drain plug to hold the used engine oil as it drains out. Remember that the engine oil collected is still hot and direct contact must be avoided. Figure 10 - Engine underbelly exposing the engine oil plug. The man in the picture removing the engine oil plug while an oil drain tray is visible underneath the engine. 7. Almost every car takes not more than ten minutes to release and drain the engine oil completely out of the sump. Apply the torque gently on the engine oil drain plug to avoid any damage to the drain plug. Additionally, remember to turn the engine oil drain plug in anti clockwise direction so that the threads do not get damaged. Always stay cautious while reaching the engine oil plug, make sure there are no leaks. If there is a leak direct contact can lead to injuries. Do not forget to scan the engine and other parts like condensers, transmission and the air conditioner for any kind of leakage. Used engine oil drains very quickly as soon as the plug is removed keep the container in place to avoid spills. Maintain a safe distance and stay in a position if required to move out from under the car. Operation Three: Removing the engine oil filter 1. Engine oil filter needs to be replaced when engine oil is changed, for that locate the filter on the engine’s underbelly. It is located next to engine oil drain plug. Its size and cylindrical shape makes it easy to spot. Figure 11 – Locating Engine oil filter. 2. There are different tools available for different parts of a vehicle, ensure that the right tool is used for the right job. With the help of an engine oil wrench, remove the filter. Apply torque anti clockwise to remove the engine oil filter. Use ratchet wrench if the filter gets stuck, apply adequate torque and ensure that the housing of the engine oil filter remains safe. Keep an oil drain tray placed in a position that while removing the filter if oil drips then the tray can catch it. Ensure that direct contact with the engine or any of its parts is to be avoided. Figure 12 – Rotating the Engine oil filter in an anti-clockwise direction to remove it. Figure 13 - Typical engine oil filter Wrench and engine oil filter with the O-Ring. Figure 14 - Typical engine oil filter indicated by a Yellow arrow on the engine underbelly. 3. O-ring is an important part of the filter it helps preventing leaks. While the oil filter is being removed, check for its O-ring on the top of the filter as shown in the picture below. This blackish ring on the top of the filter next to its rim is O-ring. Figure 15 – Engine oil is visible with an engine oil drain tray underneath to catch it. Figure 16 - Spent engine oil filter showing the O-ring intact. Operation Four: Replacing the engine oil filter 1. O-ring comes with the packaged box with a new engine oil filter. Install and Place the O-ring prior to new engine oil filter. 2. Apply a drop of fresh engine oil and spread it on the O-ring so that the engine oil filter gets sealed when installed. Figure 17 – Smearing a drop of engine oil on the O-Ring. 3. Install the engine oil filter with the help of a wrench. 4. Now for installing the engine oil filter, apply the torque gently in a clockwise direction. Figure 18 – Reinstalling the engine oil filter. 5. Ensure that the O-ring gets installed in its right place with the engine casing to avoid any leaks. Figure 19 – Picture shows engine casing where the engine oil filter needs to be fixed. 6. As the O-ring is attached to the engine casing and the filter is in its position, then torque it to one quarter to two third of the thread. Figure 20 – A hand in the picture is visible reinstalling the engine oil filter. Remember O-ring acts as a cushion between engine casing and oil filter that prevents leaks. It may seem that more torque can be applied, but do not over torque the filter, otherwise it will destroy the O-ring on the filter’s face resulting in leaks and moreover engine seizure. Operation Five: Reinstall the engine oil drain plug and fill in new engine oil 1. When the used engine oil is completely drained, reinstall the drain plug. Figure 21 – picture of an Engine oil drain plug. 2. Hold the drain plug in place and torque gently in a clockwise direction for re-installation. Figure 22 – Holding the drain plug in place. 3. Now, when the drain plug is installed do not tighten it rather make it a little over torque. Otherwise, it will be tough to remove it next time. 4. When the engine oil drain plug comes in contact with the engine casing apply 1.5 to 2 turns torque. Figure 23 – Picture of applying torque to the drain plug. 5. All the specifications are written in the vehicle’s owner manual. As per the instructions, fill the sump with the fresh engine oil. Remember not to fill more than prescribed as it will cause leaks nor you should fill less than what is prescribed, it will give you an engine that will fail to start. Hatchbacks and sedans require less engine oil than SUVs. Figure 24 – Picture of an owner’s manual. 6. Once the correct amount of fresh engine oil is poured reinstall the engine oil cap. Figure 25 – Man in the picture is reinstalling the engine oil drain plug. Ensure that all the sealing agents like washer’s and gasket are present and is in place. Do not remove the sealing element from the drain plug or else sealing will not be achieved. Figure 26 - Reinstalling the engine oil cap after refilling the engine oil. Figure 27 – picture shows the washers and rings to prevent leaks. Operation Six: Checking for leaks 1. Crank the engine and keep it running for at least four to five minutes to detect any kind of leaks. 2. If the leaks are visible, then slightly, torque the cap and plug wherever required, do not over tighten up the parts. Figure 28 – Checking oil plug for leaks. 3. After checking for the leaks drive the car a little for proper distribution of engine oil throughout the engine. Figure 29 – Filling up fresh engine oil as per the owner’s manual. Troubleshooting Engine will not start even though engine oil has been filled. Less than the prescribed level of the engine oil may lead to such situation. Ensure the level by looking manually, if it is decreased while you have filled in as per the requirements, then check for leaks. Figure 30 – Checking for leaks. Engine oil drain plug’s head broke on loosening or tightening. A professional help is required in such emergencies, do not try to remove or tighten the plug head as it may damage the thread and further it will lead to sump change. Always use genuine parts and tools, follow all safety measures, use proper gear as advised. Pictures sourced from “How to Change the Oil in Your Car”, wikiHow available online at Read More