by Chad Morgan

Created on: December 15, 2011   Last Updated: December 18, 2011

One of the most important things when it comes to maintaining the efficient operation of any car is making sure that there is plenty of oil in the car and that it is regularly changed.  The oil is the equivalent of the blood of the car and it is the oil that keeps the inner workings of a motor lubricated and if the oil level gets too low or in worst cases runs out or gets too old, the motor will run hot and the motor may even be seriously damaged.  The following is an inside look at how to change the oil in a car.  When the oil is changed in a car regularly, it allows for the vehicle to last longer and it also allows it to run a whole lot better.

The oil in a car should always be changed every 3,000 miles.  When it comes to changing the oil, the first thing that a person should do is make sure that they have the necessary equipment.  These should be an oil pan to catch the oil that is in the car and a socket wrench that allows for you to unscrew the oil drain plug.  It is also advised to open the hood and the oil filter cap so it will send air flow and allow for the oil to come out a lot quicker.

Once you know that all the oil is removed, then you want to remove the oil filter.  To remove the oil filter, you need to make sure that you have an oil filter wrench.  You can find these at any auto parts store.  Cars such as Mercedes, BMW's, and newer model cars, have a different bolt setup for the filter and it is also good to find out what kind of filter that you have before you go to remove it.  Once you remove it, dump the oil that is in the filter and then discard it.

By now all the oil should be out of the car.  Make sure that you replace the oil plug and again these can be found at any auto parts store.  Replace the filter and make sure that it is tight and snug as should be the oil plug.  One good piece of advice is to make sure that the oil plug is not cross threaded.  Then it is time to put in the replacement oil.  You should consult with your car's user manual to see what is the recommended amount of oil that you should put into a car after draining the oil.  Then simply start up the car and make sure that the oil warning light is not on and then you will be finished.  Run the motor for about a minute or two.

Again, you should always change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles.  If you have any doubt as to what kind of filter you need, consult with a local mechanic and or auto parts store.  Changing the oil in your car is very easy and it is as simple as 1-2-3.

Sources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-the-Oil-in-Your-Car

http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmaintenance/ss /oil_change.htm

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/howtochangeautooil

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