Using An Oil Extractor Pump
If you have a well-equipped home garage, you may have oil pumps.
If you decide to go down this route, youll also need these items:
- An old rag or towel.
- One clear container .
- Gloves .
Step 1
Allow your engine time to cool off if you were driving. Warm oil is fine to work with, but it shouldnt be boiling hot. Put your gloves on if you want to keep your hands from getting dirty.
Step 2
Pop the hood of your car and take out the dipstick. Place it on the rag or old towel to protect surrounding surfaces from stains.
Step 3
Set up your extractor as per manufacturer instructions. Connect it to a power source and prepare the tubes and drainage container.
Step 4
Insert the extractor tube into the dipstick tube. Power up your machine and keep a close eye on the container.
Once enough fluid has been removed, switch off the machine. You may want to check the fill line every so often to make sure you havent removed too much.
Step 5
Once youve checked the oil level and it has returned to normal, disconnect the extractor. Replace the dipstick, and you should be good to go.
How To Change Your Oil
Follow these simple steps and you’ll do the job right and for much cheaper.
The idea of performing maintenance, even a relatively simple task such as an oil change, may seem daunting, if not downright impossible. However, changing your own oil can be more convenient and less expensive than taking your vehicle to a local express lube shop. We’ll show you how to do it correctly, safely, and affordably in the following short video clips. You might even find working on your car is fun much as we do.
If you’re unsure what kind of oil you should use or how often you should change it, refer to the technical specifications or service section of your owner’s manual. In this six-step video guide, we will walk you through a standard oil changein this case on an Acura TSX, but the process is virtually identical whether you drive a Hyundai, Hummer, or anything else.
Before you even start this process, consult your owner’s manual to determine exactly how much oil you will need to replace what you drain. And you’ll also need an oil filter. So you’ll be making a trip to an auto-parts store or a big-box retail outlet to get what you need. While you’re there, you’ll want to pick up an oil-filter wrench and the proper size wrench for your oil drain plug if you don’t already have those. And you’ll want some gloves to keep your hands clean; old-fashioned latex medical gloves work fine. Now you’re ready to go. Follow these steps to change your own oil:
Choosing The Right Oil
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Do You Need An Engine Oil Top Off Or Change
No, thats not a genies magic lamp you spy on your dash thats your engine oil light! In most cases, this light is telling you that your engine oil may be low and to check your oil.
But before you top off your oil and call it a day, consider the consequences of doing so, and whether it might be better to take your car in and see which service it actually needs! Learn the difference between a top off and an oil change, how to know which one you need, and how often this maintenance is recommended for your car, truck, or SUV.
How Can You Refill Your Car Motor Oil
Step 1: Open the dipstick and remove it.
Remove the dipstick and clean it using aclean towel, put it back and again draw it out. Check the amount of oil remaining on the dipstick, whether it is complete or low. If the oil level is beneath the full line, add more oil and if there is no oil on your dipstick, consult a mechanic.
Step 2:; Pull the oil cap found on the car engine
After removing the oil cap, take a clean funnel and place it in the car engine. If you were driving, you must wait for 5 to 10 minutes until the engine cools down and the oil settles. Proceed to add oil to the tank.
Step 3: Replenish the engine with oil
Pour oil for around 2-3 seconds in the dipstick and wait for a minute. Then check if the port is filled up. Consider the amount of oil you require to fill your dipstick. For instance, two-quarts of oil are required to fill the dipstick. If the level falls between the add and full mark, the amount of oil required is ½ quarter. While adding oil, ensure that you dont overfill the container. Wait for the oil to settle for 2 to 5 minutes.
Step 4: Close up your dipstick
Close your oil fill cap after checking if it is complete.
Step 5: Turn on your car engine to see if it works
Try to start your car engine and leave it to run for a few seconds. If it fails to start, recheck the dipstick to confirm if it is appropriately cleaned and then check if the oil you put reached the correct level, meaning you did not over refill the dipstick.
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Change The Oil Filter
Remove the oil filter. New filters that are properly installed don’t go on terribly tight. But they can be hard to get off later because their sealing gaskets swell over time.
Here I’ve added an extension to my ratchet to get a little extra knuckle room. But I’m not going to use the wrench much beyond the point of breaking the filter free. Filters loosen in a hurry, at which point oil starts to gush out all around the perimeter. Go slowly and switch to unscrewing the filter by hand as soon as you can.
Unlike drain plug removal, there is no way to avoid making a mess at this stage. Make sure you reposition the drain pan before you start. Have rags handy and prepare to get some oil down your arm. Don’t let go of the filter once it starts to come off.
Hold the filter over the pan to drain it, but try not to drop it in. It makes a very messy splash.
Use rags to clean as much oil away as you can, paying special attention to the filter sealing surface. Make sure to remove the old filter’s O-ring if it stuck itself to the surface. This rarely happens nowadays, but it’s one of those things you check anyway because a double stack of O-rings won’t seal, allowing your new oil to pump out and ruin your engine.
The last messy step involves smearing a dab of new oil on the new filter’s O-ring.
Install the new filter. At this point I like to take the gloves off so I get a good grip. I’m spinning the filter on gently until the O-ring makes first contact with the sealing surface.
Buy The Right Oil And Oil Filter
While it might seem like a money-saver, an economy oil filter is typically only good for around 3,000 miles. To extend oil life, use better quality filters if you go more than 3,000 miles between oil changes.
- Pro tip: Before you head off to the auto parts store, consult your owners manual for the type and weight of oil specific to your vehicle. Its especially important to follow the carmakers recommendations for oil viscosity.
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How To Add Oil To A Car
Acquire the proper oil – Make sure you use the grade of oil that is recommended in the owners manual. Castrol provides a variety of options that may be suitable to your engine’s needs.
Determine the weight – Oil is available in different weights and the oil container will indicate the weight or viscosity of the oil. Oil is usually sold in quarts. In most cases, one quart should do the job.
Determine the rating – A W in the rating means that the oil has been tested at colder temperatures. Oils that do not have a W are tested only at 210° F, which is considered a standard engine operating temperature.
Note: The majority of oils today are multi-grades, which basically means the oil falls into two viscosity grades, for example, 10w-40.
Pour in the oil – If the dipstick measured below the Add line you should pour in at least half of the quart of oil. You can use a funnel or pour it directly into the hole. Avoid spilling oil on the engine, as it will smell as it burns off, and be sure to wipe up any spills with a towel.
Tip: Overfilling your engine with oil can damage the engine, so the best method is to add a bit of oil and then recheck oil levels before adding more.
Re-check the oil levels with the dipstick – If the oil level is still below the Add indicator, add the rest of the quart and recheck the oil levels. When the oil level is close to the Full level, you are done.
Your vehicle is now full of oil and ready to go.
Recheck your oil levels in roughly 30 days.
Is All Engine Oil The Same
Oil is oil right? No, engine oil is graded by its ability to flow at different temperatures. Its known as viscosity. Oil has a few important functions, the most important of which is to reduce friction between moving metal components.
Oil does this by forming a layer between the metal components, so that they glide across the oil as apposed to making physical contact with each other.
Thick oil offers great protection but doesnt flow around the engine so good. Thin oil flows great, but doesnt offer a thick enough layer between components.
To add to these problems, oil flows at different rates depending how warm it is. All oil is at its thickest on a cold start especially if the weather is Burrr, and conversely at its thinnest when the engine is hot and working hard.
The solution to this problem, is blended oil, thin oil mixed with thick. Synthetic man made oil mixed with traditional petroleum based oil. The result is known as a multi grade oil.
The thinner oil protects and flows easily during low temperature starts and the heavier oils in the mix help protect when the engine is hot.
The blend differs for different type engines as dictated by the engine manufacturer. Oil types are identified by the numbers you see on the oil can at the gas station.
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How To Top Up The Oil In Your Car
Patrick Haas
Regular car maintenance can make a huge difference with keeping your vehicle in good condition. For major repairs and special jobs, hiring a professional mechanic from Your Mechanic is a simple and convenient solution, but there are a few small tasks that all drivers can do to keep their car running at its best.
One of those small but important tasks is making sure theres enough oil in your engine and to add any if its low. Newer cars have sensors to let the driver know if the oil is low, but its still a good idea to check the oil regularly. This should be done about once per month. And dont worryeven if youre one of those drivers who wouldnt dare peak under the hood of your car, well show you how to add oil to your engine in a few simple steps.
Why So Many Oils
Look in auto parts stores and you’ll see oils labeled for all kinds of specific purposes: high-tech engines, new cars, higher-mileage vehicles, heavy-duty/off-road SUVs, and even cars from certain countries. You’ll see a wide selection of viscosities.
If you read your owner’s manual, you’ll know what oil the vehicles manufacturer recommended to use when it was brand-new. The manual may include a reference to Energy Conserving or Resource Conserving oils, which means that the oil passed a fuel economy lab test against a reference oil. While that doesnt always translate to better fuel economy, most leading brands have at least some viscosities that are labeled as such.
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Motor Oil Types And Weights Explained
Before you learn how to put oil in a car, you need to first find out how much oil your car needs and what type of oil the manufacturer recommends.
If you are just topping off your oil then you just need to add it a little at a time and check it after adding each time until it is full. If you have just done an oil change then you need to know how much oil the engine takes.;
There are a few ways to find this information. The easiest place to look is in your owner’s manual. It will show the amount of oil needed and the weight of oil that is recommended.
If you don’t have an owner’s manual then you can try looking under the hood of your car. Many times there will be a sticker in the engine compartment that will tell you how much oil the engine requires. If you can’t find the engine compartment sticker then you can turn to good online repair manual that is specific to your vehicle.
Update: Amazon has made shopping for motor oil a breeze for vehicle owners. Simply go to , then use “Filter by vehicle” to choose your vehicle make and model.
The type of oil or “weight” of oil refers to the viscosity or resistance to flow . The photo below shows where the numbers are located on an oil bottle and what they look like:
Smoking Engine Or Exhaust
Smoke coming out of the engine compartment or exhaust pipe is another symptom. Escaping oil will burn if it gets into contact with heated parts, producing blue-tinged smoke.
As with puddles, these unnecessary emissions arent eco-friendly. In certain states, its illegal to drive a smoking automobile.
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The Consequences Of Addingtoo Much Oil To A Car
Neglecting the symptoms ofoil overfill and continuing to use your car as you normally would is going tocause long term damage that can be difficult or impossible to repair.
The chances that you willencounter one or more of the consequences of adding too much oil to your carare going to increase if you go over the fil line on more than just oneoccasion. Heres what can happen if you add too much oil to a car:
What Kind Of Oil Is Right For Your Vehicle Firestone
Get the Best Engine Oil for Your Car or Truck. Wondering, What type of oil should I use? Simply select your vehicles year, make, and model to find out;
Get An Oil Change WHAT TYPE OF OIL DOES MY CAR TAKE? Older engines could also benefit from synthetic oil, as it can help prevent harmful sludge;
Aug 31, 2020 You should adjust which weight and type for the seasons and your sure youre buying an oil thats been tested under a current standard.
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How To Put Oil In A Car
This “how to put oil in a car” guide will show you step-by-step the best way to fill your car with oil. There aren’t too many things you can do to mess this up and it is something that pretty much everyone can do. This is also an essential skill for every car owner since it is virtually guaranteed that at you will have to top off your car with oil at some point.;
Whether you are filling your car after an oil change or just topping it off at the gas station this “how to put oil in a car” guide will help you do the job with confidence.
PART 2:How to Remove and Change Oil Filter in a Car
Get Together Your Filter Wrenches And Other Supplies
In addition to oil, you’ll need an oil filter, an oil-filter removal wrench, a wrench to remove the drain plug, a funnel, a drain pan and some gloves. You may also need to raise the car to gain access, in which case you’ll need a floor jack and safety stands, or a pair of purpose-made steel ramps. For this kind of work, never use the flimsy jack that’s supplied with the car.
Yes, my funnel is an empty, dry water bottle with the end cut off. Also, my drain pan has a screw-on lid and pour spout, which makes it easier to transport and recycle the old oil. The only other “tools,” not shown here, are a T-shirt and grubby jeans.
You can buy filters at the dealership or at an auto parts store. Make sure to ask if you’ll need a new drain plug washer. Some dealers automatically include a new washer, if you need one. Others charge extra for it. In this case, I didn’t need a new washer, as you’ll see later.
I like the sort of filter wrench that engages the serrations on the end of the oil filter. Wrenches like that are available at most auto parts stores for a few dollars and they snap onto the end of any common three-eighth-inch-drive ratchet. There are many sizes, but it’s easy to make sure you buy the right one if you match the wrench to the filter right there in the store.
Band-type filter wrenches are more familiar, but they can be frustrating to use if you don’t have enough space especially if the old filter was over-tightened.
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