There comes a time when you have to change your own oil. I guess it’s part of growing up…
This post goes over how to change the oil and filter in your van or car. It’s not a difficult thing to do, but it is a bit messy.
Before I started, I gave my van a really good run, revving a lot higher than usual in an attempt to burn off excess carbon deposits.
1. Drain oil
Locate the sump plug bolt, which is usually at the lowest point on the engine sump. With the engine warmed up slowly unscrew bolt and and catch oil in a container below. Be careful of hot oil. I poured some fresh oil through the top to properly flush the old oil.
2. Remove oil filter
After most the oil has drained, start to unscrew the oil filter. There will be a little bit more oil here so be ready to catch it, and be careful if it is hot.
3. Fit new oil filter
Insert paper filter into the oil filter housing. Some oil filters come as a complete unit which screw straight in, whilst others are just a paper insert (like mine below). Replace seal if applicable and run some fresh oil around it and the thread
4. Replace sump bolt and washer
It’s a good idea to at least replace the sealing washer on the sump bolt. Inspect the thread on the bolt and replace this also if it appears at all damaged or worn. You really don’t want a leak from here
5. put in the new oil
With the sump bolt and filter back in and tightened, pour in the new oil
6. make a note of mileage and date
7. Dispose of oil
I took the old oil to a local garage. They took it off me without any charge.
Feel free to add any tips or suggestions to this in the comments below
hey, cool blog/van/plan. and in europe, im so jealous. you rock!
just wanted to toss in my 2 cents to your oil change lesson. always wipe the engine block with a clean/suitable rag and feel/look to ensure a clean sealing surface and most important that the old gasket/o ring didnt stick to the block. many an engine has met its demise because of a double o ring. also i hope your warming up the engine by driving not reving in neutral which high reving with no load(in neutral) can be damaging to an engine. tho you are correct its a good idea to take her out for a good run first, get all that hot oil splashing around the engine. just do it while driving. anyway just my 2 cents, thx for the blog/sharing! peace.
Excellent photos and write-up! I usually take my old oil to AutoZone or O’Reilly, they will let you dump the used oil in their waste tank for recycling at no cost.
Thanks for sharing such a good information. All the points you mentioned are very good and effective for changing engine oil and filter. Keep updating more information.
What’s the average duration for changing the car’s filter?