A Beginner's Guide to Changing Your Car's Oil for the First Time

Changing your car's oil is an inherently messy process.

16:25 20 February 2023

Changing your car's oil is an inherently messy process. It includes many steps that require pouring oil into the engine, removing it, and then wiping your hands off before you start all over again. There needs to be more in the way of instructions or guidance on how to do this properly, so as a first-time oil-change user, it would be wise to know what exactly is going on under the hood.

How to Find the Oil Filter

The oil filter is the most important thing about changing your car's oil. There are a few steps in changing your car's oil, but without knowing where that little white cap is, you won't be able to do any of them! So don't get disheartened if you can't find it; this task takes only seconds, even in perfect models.

The first thing you need to do before anything is found out where that tiny plastic engine cap is hidden. It doesn't look as important as the one holding the fuel in your tank. The engine bay is the best place to look, except for the fan belts.

How to Remove Your Car's Oil Filter

After you find this little plastic cap, you'll need to figure out how it's attached. There should be a couple of holes cut into it on each side. Also, the oil filter is attached to the engine by a small piece of metal that goes around the whole thing. It is where you'll need to start putting pressure on it with a screwdriver or something else with some leverage. You don't want to tip the engine over or tear the engine block when removing this piece of metal, so be careful!

How to Prevent Oil Leaks

Once you've managed to get the engine block out of the way and removed the filter, it'll be time to move on to what's next. You'll need to ensure that you've put a pan or bucket down on any surface affected by oil spills. If your engine block has had a leak and spilled oil onto your concrete or garage floor, then this may spread around if left there.

What Kind of Oil Should You Put In

If you've ever seen a mechanic fill up your car with oil, you'll know many different kinds. It's important to remember that there's a reason why they have the job they do and make all the money they do because it is essential. You should read up on which kinds of oil are suitable for your specific engine, especially if it's something like an older model or a more modern one that depends on synthetic oils instead of old-fashioned ones.

With these few steps, you can change your oil in no time. It is more complicated than it seems, even if you're a beginner! For many reasons, it would help if you did this yourself before taking your car to a mechanic. These include saving money and learning to look after your car's insides.