An oil change is more than just ‘drain and fill’. It’s crucial maintenance.

Here’s what it entails:

Step 1: An inspection for leaks and low levels. This is an important step because it’d be wasteful to fill a leaky container. Dirty/old oil may change color. At this point, you may be offered some advice as necessary.

Step 2: Next comes oil drainage. Your vehicle is lifted using a car jack and car jack stands to ensure safety. The drain plug is loosened by attaching a socket to the ratchet and slowly turning counter-clockwise. An oil pan is placed directly under the drain and used to collect the old oil. This is discarded. It might seem like an easy task, but this requires expertise to locate the drain plug and drain it without damaging it or yourself.

Step 3: The filter check is one step that must not be skipped. The whole purpose of the oil filter is defeated if they are dirty and clogged. It’s important to lubricate the seal of the new filter with some fresh oil before fitting it in. Most times, it comes down to a choice between reusable filters and disposable filters. Either way, an unclogged filter should be the final result of this endeavor.

Step 4: This is the actual oil replacement. Go for experts in choosing the best type, grade, and brand of engine oil for your vehicle. This has a lot of impact on its overall performance. The oil pan will likely be replaced and then filled with some fresh oil. This is done with a funnel to catch any oil spills.

Step 5: After the oil is topped off, it’s only right that the oil level is checked to ensure it’s at the appropriate level. A simple dipstick test after the oil is allowed to settle will suffice.