How long does an oil change takes- Usually, an oil change takes between 30-60 minutes. The 1st step in changing the engine oil is to remove the current oil, then change the filter. A new oil is then introduced into the engine. Some other fluids in the vehicle are also checked such as coolant, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid and top them up if needed.
Why Is Oil Change Important?
Clean and good oil is very necessary for the smooth and effective running of the engine of a vehicle. Also clean oil enhances better fuel economy and promotes the longevity of your vehicle. Clean oil lubricates all the moving parts of the vehicle and prevent them from grinding against each other which could lead to friction. Friction causes overheating in the engine and also damage of some critical parts of the engine such as gasket.
How Often Should I Change The Engine Oil Of My Vehicle?
This depends on the kind of vehicle you drive and the mileage covered. An average vehicle should have its engine oil replaced with a new one after covering about 5000 to 7000 miles. If your vehicle makes use of a full synthetic oil , you can do oil change after covering about 15,000 miles. The age and brand of your car also is also a factor to consider when determining the frequency of changing your engine oil.
However, there are some exceptional conditions that also determines the frequency of changing your engine oil.
If you drive an older vehicle or drive under severe conditions, you may need to change your engine oil after every 3000 miles. Some examples of the extreme conditions include:
- Driving regularly on muddy, dusty and sandy roads
- Having dozens of frequent trips. Etc.
There are some signals that indicates that it is time to change the engine oil of your vehicle:
- Oil smell in the car
- Loud clanging sound in the engine
- More frequent visit to the gas station (When oil is dirty, the vehicle consumes more fuel)
Steps Involved In Changing Engine Oil
To change the oil in the engine of your vehicle, the following steps are critical:
Step 1: Removal of used oil
By the time your vehicle is due for a change in the engine oil , the oil would have been dirty and become black in color. You will need to remove the engine oil and clean up the oil pump.
Step 2: Change of Oil Filter
Each you change your engine oil of your vehicle, the current oil filter must be discarded and replaced with a new one.
Step 3: Fill up with a new Oil
After the oil pump has been cleaned and a new oil filter placed in it , it is time to introduce a new engine oil into the vehicle.
Step 4: Inspection
Aside the engine oil, you must inspect the car for other fluids to check their level. Some of the fluids you need to check include:
- Antifreeze/coolant levels
- Brake fluid level
- Transmission fluid
- Power Steering fluid
- Windshield washer fluid
Also you need to check for some vital parts of the vehicle such as:
- Engine air filtration
- Belts
- Wiper blades
- Exterior lights
- Chassis (and lubricate where necessary)
- Tire pressure
Where Can I Do Oil Change?
When you need to do an change the oil in your vehicle, there are three options you could choose from
- Do it yourself (DIY)
- Service Chain
- Dealership
You can actually change the engine oil of your vehicle yourself, but having a professional do it for you is the best. You can take advantage of the service chain around your location and you can also make use of the dealership option.
Can I Try To Do Oil Change Myself?
You can actually replace the engine oil of your vehicle yourself but there are some constraints you may experience in doing that:
Disposal of the used oil
It is illegal for you to dispose the used oil in the environment. Mechanics know how to handle this used oil safely and responsibly which most likely you may not know how.
Longer time will be spent
Since you are not a mechanic that is involved in changing engine oil in vehicles regularly , it may take you a longer time to change the engine oil of your vehicle. Allowing a mechanic do it for you will save your time.
It can really be messy
The process of changing the engine oil of a vehicle can really be messy. However, the technicians know how to handle and deal with the mess. You may not really be able to handle the mess properly.
You may miss out some vital details
During the process of changing the engine oil of a vehicle, technicians also check out some other fluids in the vehicle to see if they are still in adequate quantity. Since you are just a vehicle-owner and not a trained technician, you may not be able to check those details.
Conclusion
The importance of engine oil to the “life” of a vehicle cannot be overemphasized. It is important you check the engine oil level and colour regularly and replace the oil as soon as there are warning signals. Low oil level and dirty oil would endanger your vehicle.
Reference
- www. bmwofstratham.com – How long does an Oil change take
- www. nissanofmobile.com – How long does an Oil change take?
- www. jiffylube.com – How long does an oil change take?
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