Eight steps to change engine oil in Fairfax

Changing the engine oil regularly is one of the fundamental automotive maintenance activities to maintain the power and efficiency of your used car. Your used car consists of many metal parts that constantly move whenever your engine is running. Mostly, these metal parts rub against each other; hence, that requires sufficient lubrication to keep the parts from heating excessively and make sure everything works smoothly.

This is the reason why it is important to change engine oil. Instead of bringing your car to a used car dealership, you can change the engine oil of your used car yourself. Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Fairfax, Virginia provides you a step-by-step process on how to change engine oil.

Step 1: Check the type and amount of engine oil needed. You need to get the engine oil you need. Before you go to the auto parts store to buy the necessary supplies, consult the owner’s manual of your used car to confirm the type and amount of oil that is required. It is essential to pick up a new oil filter while you are buying the engine oil.

Step 2: Get the necessary tools needed. In addition to the engine oil, you need an oil filter wrench, an oil drain tray, a wrench to remove the drain plug, and a sump plug key and a funnel. Most used car dealership recommends you to buy some disposable latex gloves, as oils can potentially irritate your skin and as well as protective goggle to avoid your eyes from being splashed by the engine oil.

Step 3: Prepare your vehicle.  Once you have all the things needed, you need to park your used car on level ground. Ensure that the engine is still warm but not excessively hot and the handbrake engaged and lift the hood.

Allow the car to sit for a moment so that the exhaust system cools off. Place the oil drain tray under the sump plug using the sump plug key until the oil starts to flow into the drain tray.

Step 4: Locate the oil filter and drain plug. You can now use the oil filter wrench to unscrew the oil filter in a counter-clockwise direction to allow the oil to flow out fully and quickly. Make sure to empty the oil inside the filter into the drain tray before placing the filter in a plastic bag for safekeeping until you can recycle it.

Step 5: Drain the oil and wait until it stopped flowing. When the preliminary steps are already executed, it is now time to drain the oil out of the engine. Place the drain pan not directly under the drain plug. Put the latex gloves and goggle on as things will now start getting messy.

Once the used engine oil has stopped flowing, replace the sump plug, and carefully tighten it before screwing the new oil filter into place. It is also essential to rub a light coating of oil around the filter’s gasket before screwing it into place to ensure a good seal.

Step 6: Tighten the drain plug. Clean and inspect the oil drain plug while the remaining oil is draining. A new drain plug washer will go if it is needed. If your drain plug does need a replacement washer, make sure the old one is not stuck to the oil pan of the engine.

Step 7: Remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. Then, refill the engine with the recommended engine oil for your used car.  You need to know how much engine oil to add. If you are unsure how much you need to put in, add the engine oil in increments and use the dipstick to ensure that you do not overfill the sump. Lastly, check the oil level.

Step 8: Replace the oil filter cap. Make sure to replace the oil filter cap and dipstick, as most people forget to do so, and then close the hood. You can now recycle your old engine oil.

Contact us for queries!

If you have further questions regarding the steps on how to change oil, contact Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Fairfax, Virginia to find out more.

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