OIL CHANGE AND OIL FILTER REPLACEMENT

Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes
How often: Recommended every 6000 km

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Maintenance and Repair Tips

Maintenance work, big or small, is essential to your vehicle proper operation. And when problems occur, it becomes very important to have proper repair work done.

• Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician quickly.
• Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are operated in extremely cold or hot climates.
• Synthetic motor oils, though several times more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.
• Short trip driving is especially hard on oil because the engine never warms up enough to boil off the moisture and acids that accumulate inside the crankcase, so be sure to change both the oil and oil filter as your vehicle manufacturer recommends under the "Severe Service" maintenance intervals.
• Higher motor oil viscosity numbers do not necessarily provide better protection; follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for your motor and driving conditions.
• Experts recommend changing the oil and oil filter in your vehicle every 3 months or 3,000 miles, (whichever comes first). It's a simple, inexpensive and essential way to maximize engine protection. Oil changes at 7,500 miles are usually too long an interval for most common driving conditions.
  

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Why change your oil and filter?

Today's engines are marvels of high technology. But they still need protection from the rigours of stop-and-go driving, dusty or muddy roads, extreme temperature changes and other severe driving conditions.

Oil filters play a key role in providing that protection by helping to keep dirt, metal filings and sludge out of your oil, and out of your expensive engine. That's why experts recommend changing your oil and oil filter in your vehicle every three months or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, to maximize engine protection.

Always refer to your vehicle's owner manual for recommended procedures and maintenance schedules.

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TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

TO CHANGE YOUR OIL AND OIL FILTER YOU WILL NEED:

• Drive-on car ramps or jack with sufficient capacity for vehicle weight
• Wheel blocks
• Creeper (optional)
• Wrench or socket to fit the oil drain plug
• Drain pan
• Oil filter wrench
• Oil spout or funnel
• New oil (according the recommended type, weight and amount)
• New oil filter

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Proper maintenance and service procedures are vital to the safe, efficient operation of all motor vehicles, as well as to the safety of the person performing the work—you.

Whenever you're working on your vehicle, we recommend that you follow these important safety rules:

• Do have a first-aid kit handy.
• Do be careful when working around hot or sharp objects.
• Do follow the manufacturer's instructions for all products.
• Do use safety stands under the frame or drive-on-ramps if you must raise your vehicle.
• Don't run the engine without proper ventilation.
• Don't smoke when working around the engine.

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INSTALLATION

READ these instructions completely before you begin:

A spin-on filter is perhaps the most commonly replaced service part on your car or light truck. Timely, proper installation can help prevent internal damage and oil filter leakage. Most filters have instructions printed on them. Follow these five steps when changing any spin-on oil filter.

Step 1

• Warm up your vehicle to normal operating temperature to remove contaminants from engine.
• Stop engine.
• Secure vehicle (emergency brake, wheel blocks, ramps, etc.) to protect accidental rolling and to provide easy access to the oil filter.

Step 2

• Slide drain pan under drain plug.
• Loosen drain plug by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction with a wrench or socket (see Figure 1).
• Remove drain plug by hand, keeping inward pressure on the plug to avoid burning yourself with hot oil.
• Allow oil to completely drain from engine.
• Clean drain plug and drain hole.
• Replace drain plug. Finger-tighten to ensure correct threading, then finish with wrench or socket.

Step 3

 

• Place drain pan under filter.
• Remove filter by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction with oil filter wrench. (see Figure 2)
• CAUTION: Be careful! Filter and oil will be hot.
• Clean filter mounting base, removing previous filter gasket if it's still attached to the base. (see Figure 3)

Step 4

• Make sure gasket on new filter is securely in place.
• Rub a thin film of clean motor oil over entire gasket surface (see Figure 4).
• Spin filter onto filter mounting base, making sure gasket makes contact.
• Tighten filter by hand only, following filter's installation instructions.

Step 5

• Remove oil cap on valve cover.
• Refill crankcase with recommended type, weight and amount of new motor oil (see Figure 5).
• Replace oil cap.
• Start engine and check immediately around filter and drain plug for leakage.
• Properly dispose of used oil and filter.

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QUICK TIPS

• Follow these instructions carefully. Read and be sure you understand them before you begin.
• Gather all your tools and supplies before you begin.
• Allow plenty of time to do the job so you don't have to hurry. Remember that these are general instructions. For more detailed instructions pertaining to your specific vehicle, consult an appropriate repair manual.
• Safety is important whenever you're working around machinery. Beware of hot objects, sharp instruments and hazardous materials.
• Don't substitute tools unless you're sure you won't compromise either your safety or the performance of your vehicle.
• If you have any questions about repair and maintenance, contact your local NAPA Auto Parts store. Find the nearest NAPA Auto Parts location.