How often should you change the oil?
The oil should be changed according to the manufacturer's guidelines, but in practice, few people change it before driving 20,000 kilometres. Although, properly speaking, we should not wait until we have driven more than 15,000 kilometres to change it, and if we drive shorter distances, we should remember to change it at least once a year.
Which oil should you choose?
When buying oil, we should pay attention primarily to its grade and type. The simplest solution is to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the car we drive. If we decide to buy oil from another manufacturer, it is best to use one type of oil and not change it every year for oil from a different brand. Remember to check how much oil you need so that you do not run out during the change. It is always better to buy a larger container for possible top-ups.
Changing the oil
During the change, the car should be parked on a level surface. It is best to carry out this task in a garage, and if we have access to a garage or a room with a service pit, we can be even more satisfied. Before changing the oil, it is a good idea to warm the engine slightly, which will allow the old fluid to drain faster.
After warming it up, switch off the engine and prepare a fairly large container into which the used oil will drain. Place it under the oil pan near the drain plug. Remember to press the plug against the oil pan while unscrewing it to prevent leaks. Only when we are sure it is completely unscrewed can we remove it with a quick movement. Also be careful, as the oil may begin to leak at different angles.
Once all the oil has drained, place the container under the oil filter. Remember that the old gasket must be removed along with the filter. Pour the remaining oil from the old filter into the container and thoroughly clean the filter mounting area. Before installing the new filter (of course, the correctly selected one), lubricate its gasket with a small amount of clean oil. After that, install the new filter without damaging it. Then clean the plug and the drain opening and screw the bolt back in.
The next step is to pour the new oil through the opening in the upper part of the engine. Remember not to pour in all the fluid at once, but around three-quarters of the planned amount. It is now time to check the level with a clean dipstick; if the level is too low, add oil gradually until the dipstick indicates the correct level.
After all this, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes at idle. Then check the oil level again; it may turn out that the level has dropped, in which case add the required amount. Finally, do not forget to make sure there are no leaks under the car.