How to check engine oil –
- Have the car parked, let it cool down and open the hood (The latch to open the hood is typically a latch by the foot of the driver side door)
- Locate and remove the dipstick. The dipstick will either have a red, orange or yellow handle. They’re typically located towards the passenger side of the vehicle. You don’t need to pull very hard to remove it, but a may need a bit of force
- Once it’s removed wipe it off and put it back into the tube, then pull it out again
- After taking it out again see where the oil falls on the dipstick. At the end of the sticks there are two small dots, lines or markings; one represents the maximum fill line in the oil pan, while the other is the minimum. The minimum dot is close to the tip while the max is an inch above. When looking at the oil it should fall in between the markings.
- If the oil line on the dipstick is below the minimum mark, add oil to the car
- If the oil line is above the maximum fil point, drain a bit of oil from the car
- When looking at the dipstick look at the color of the oil. Check to see if it’s a yellow or amber color. Depending on the color will show the age and quality of the oil. If it’s yellow, golden or amber and not dark or dirty, the oil is still good. However, if the color is brown or black, it’s likely a sign your oil needs to be changed.
- After you’re done checking reinsert the stick, close the hood and you’re done.
How to Do An Oil Change
- Park your car and let it cool down (like 5-10 minutes)
- Use a jack to elevate the car, place it underneath the jacking point (This is near the front of your car) and get it off the ground about 18 inches. In case you don’t have a jack, drive your car onto some steel ramps.
- Once secured in place, put a wheel block (This can be a piece of wood) on one of the rear tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. To be sure the vehicle is stable push down on the hood, to make sure it won’t crush you when working.
- Now secured, place an oil pan beneath the engine drain plug. The pan should hold at least twice as much oil as your engine takes. You’ll see the oil engine drain plug located like 1-2 feet from the front of the vehicle and sits directly below the engine.
- Remove the oil cap by unscrewing it counterclockwise, this is where you’ll need to open the hood and remove the cap from the top first. This will allow the oil to drain out quickly. Set the cap nearby so you don’t lose it.
- After, go back underneath the car and unscrew the oil plug using a socket or crescent wrench. Loosen it counterclockwise. To prevent oil from getting all over yourself, make sure to apply inward force when removing the drain plug bolt. Once this is out you’ll see a metal washer between the oil pan and drain plug, take it out and set it on the ground next to you.
- It’ll take a couple of minutes for the oil to fully drain, like 2-3 minutes. When the oil has stopped running, replace the plug, put the washer back in place and then reinsert the drain plug. Tighten is back in place turning it clockwise.