For reading 8 min. Views 279 Published 15 February 2016

Many motorists believe that changing the oil in a car's engine is a simple job that you can do yourself. Some people believe that a viewing hole is required for this process to drain the old oil. Other motorists do without a viewing hole. We will try to dispel the myth that oil change is a simple job that you can do yourself. In fact, it is best to trust this procedure to professionals at the service station.

At any service station, mechanics will say that it is not recommended to change the engine oil on your own, so you can make a mistake and harm the car's engine. Many people may think that this is how servicemen hide the desire to earn extra money on others. Is this really so, we will try to figure it out.

Inexperience of drivers and common mistakes when changing the oil in the engine

Surprisingly, but inexperienced drivers who try to change the oil in a car engine on their own often make gross mistakes that lead to the repair of components and assemblies of the car. We will give a few examples.

One of the servicemen told such a case. Once a car enthusiast came to a service station in a budget new foreign car to check the gearbox. He stated that his transmission began to hum. After the inspection, the servicemen were convinced that the gearbox was really buzzing outside the box. As you know, the first reason for the hum of the transmission may be a lack of lubricants inside. The mechanics climbed to check the oil level in the gearbox with a dipstick and were very surprised. It turned out that the gearbox was completely dry. In this case, the plug on the oil drain from the gearbox was screwed on. Questions were immediately asked to the owner of the car, what was done with this car. The owner of the car was surprised, said that no repairs in the gearbox or inspections had been carried out before. He also stated that he recently changed the oil in a car engine with his own hands.

The history of self-replacement forced the alert mechanics to check the level of this lubricant in the engine. And then everything fell into place. It turns out that the owner of the car, instead of the crankcase throat plug, unscrewed the gearbox throat plug. He ended up draining the oil from the gearbox instead of the engine. After that, the car owner, strictly according to the instructions, poured 3 liters of oil into the engine over the 3 liters that remained in it. And the owner did not even bother to look at the probe. As a result, the error of an inexperienced driver led to the fact that the gearbox worked without oil. In this case, the engine worked with its double volume. It's good that the car owner turned to the service on time. Transmission oil was poured into the gearbox without any defects in the gearbox operation. So the checkpoint was saved. I was just as lucky with the car engine. Excessive pressure did not squeeze out the oil seals. Service workers poured all 6 liters into a drain container, after which it was necessary to fill in new oil in a volume of 3 liters.

There is also a more prosaic case. One mechanic said that a friend of his also decided to change the engine oil in a car on his own. However, after draining the old oil, he forgot to close the throat of the engine crankcase. This motorist poured new oil through the top neck, screwed it in and did not bother to check the oil level with the dipstick. As a result, all the oil leaked out through the lower neck, and after a few kilometers a knock appeared in the engine.

Wrong ways to change engine oil

There are not only mistakes when changing the oil in a car engine on your own, but also using the wrong methods for replacing it. So many car enthusiasts and workers of service stations purchase vacuum installations to change engine oil. At first glance, this makes work easier, since you do not need to have an inspection hole or a lift to drain the engine oil through the throat of the engine crankcase. A vacuum unit is used for this procedure. It can suck oil out of the engine through the dipstick hole.

It seems to be a convenient device, but it makes a low-quality replacement of engine oil. The fact is that old oil with many metal particles and carbon deposits remains at the bottom of the crankcase. It is this dirt that must be disposed of when replacing, but here it simply remains in the engine. After that, new oil is poured, which is mixed with this dirt. In other words, there is no beneficial effect from such a change of engine oil for the engine and its resource.

We carry out the correct oil change in the car engine

First of all, there is a simple rule. Changing the old oil is carried out with a warm engine. This means that this work must be carried out after a short driving time or a slight warm-up of the engine. After this operation, the engine must be allowed to cool down a little in order to reduce the pressure in the system. Draining on a warm engine will be effective, since it will be much thinner, and it will merge faster in time.

It is best and faster to drain old oil from a warm engine.

You may need a torx sprocket wrench to unscrew the engine filler cap. This is how some car manufacturers make the plug in the form of a regular bolt with a hexagonal head in the form of an asterisk. It is best to drain old engine oil into a cut-off canister or drinking water bottle. Dispose of used oil properly. Do not pour it directly onto the ground. We already have a bad environment in the country. When draining the oil, wait until as much of the old fluid as possible flows out of the crankcase. First there will be a thick trickle of engine oil, then it will turn into drops. It is best to wait for as many drops of the old one as possible to flow out of the crankcase. As usual, after that you need to check and do not forget to screw the crankcase filler plug back.

Engine Oil Change Interval: Myths and Reality

One of the main conditions that ensure the normal operation of your engine is the correct choice and timely replacement of engine oil. This substance is responsible for the life of the engine and its correct operation. The wrong type of oil or its processing can pose a potential threat to the performance of your vehicle.

The oil must be changed in a timely and systematic manner - every motorist knows this.

- How often? - you ask.

- We need to look at the regulations! - every motorist will answer.

But there is a bit of an imprecision in this answer. Have you ever wondered why such a regulation? Yes, because the car manufacturer has tested hundreds of these engines and subjected them to varying loads. For the regulation, only one indicator is indicated. Therefore, for its formation, only one generalized statistical indicator is taken. Traditionally it is 10-15 thousand kilometers.

Will the engine oil change regulations be the same for those who like fast and quiet driving, and for urban and suburban paces? The answer is unequivocal - of course not!

The mode of operation significantly affects the state of the engine fluid, and hence the schedule for its replacement.

Specificity of car operation

The logical conclusion is that the regulations for "city" and "intercity" cars are different. We are talking about urban traffic jams, when the oil and engine elements are exposed to high temperatures, natural crankcase ventilation is minimal and at the same time mileage is minimized. In this case, 100 km of track in a traffic jam and 100 km of track on the highway are two different performance indicators for the engine and different loads.

The difference in operating conditions in traffic jams and when driving on the highway is almost three times. Therefore, you must also take into account the timing of replacement. Some manufacturers additionally indicate the approximate regulation in engine hours.

The most optimal operating conditions for the engine is driving on the highway at a speed of 110-120 km / h. At the same time, the engine does not overheat, operates at a third of its power (for the majority of engines), and the crankcase ventilation is simply excellent. However, not all 100% of engines are suitable for this characteristic.

Fans of fast driving (also increased engine loads) and those who are forced to stand in traffic jams, it is important to remember that under such operating conditions of the vehicle, the regulations are significantly reduced.

Optimal conditions for the oil to work in the engine: medium speed mode and short warm-ups of the engine (this does not mean that when the engine is first started, you need to go right away).

If we translate the standard oil change regulations of 15 thousand in engine hours, and compare it with the features of urban and suburban driving, we get the following indicators:

• For traffic jams and slow city driving up to 25 km / h (which is very common), the replacement schedule is 7-10 thousand km.
• For country driving at a speed of more than 90 km / h, the generation resource can increase to 20 thousand km or more. However, it is not recommended to "overexpose" the oil in the engine even in such measured country driving.

That is why every motorist and car owner needs to remember that service regulations are just a weighted average that does not include your individual component: driving behavior, car mileage, operating conditions, city size, etc.

That is why you need to independently periodically monitor not only the level, but also the condition (color, consistency) of the oil in the engine. If necessary, you can turn to more experienced colleagues for a professional resume. 10 or 15 thousand kilometers is not the final sentence for replacement, everything is much more individual.

Just as much as the manner and character of driving, mileage and city features affect, the correct choice of engine oil also affects. Natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic - they all have their own operating characteristics and advantages. When choosing, you can be guided by the recommendations of the manufacturer, advice from professionals or personal experience. The choice must be deliberate and appropriate to the way you operate your vehicle. Remember that the choice of oil is the key to the performance of the engine, its resource and technical and operational indicators.

Every vehicle owner wants the operation to be accompanied by as few breakdowns as possible. The fulfillment of this condition is directly related to the care of the units and mechanisms of the unit. Therefore, the first thing a user encounters when purchasing a car is the periodic replacement of the engine oil in the engine.

Today, no one questions the need for the procedure. The only controversial issue is the nuances associated with the frequency and method of work, as well as with the characteristics of the materials used. So that the engine oil change is not perceived by the motorist as an insurmountable problem, we will try to figure out the details and prioritize the places.

Engine Oil Tasks

The design features and the principle of operation of the internal combustion engine lead to the fact that the parts of the unit constantly interact with each other, the process is accompanied by friction. The forces acting on the mechanism gradually wear out and render the motor unusable. In addition, a side effect of friction, strong heating of parts, which leads to a physical change in the properties of the materials that make up the engine, and also further aggravates the flow of working processes.

No combustion engine design is complete without lubrication. Oil is a consumable material for the mechanism. The fluid has a number of properties, the most important of which is viscosity, the material creates a surface film on the parts and protects the motor. If it were not for the lubrication mechanism, the engine would not be able to function and fulfill its intended purpose.

Oil functions:

• Formation of a surface protective film on internal engine parts;
• Protection of the coated surfaces of the engine from oxidation;
• Removal of impurities and slag from the rubbing surfaces of the engine to the filter element;
• Removal of excess heat from the heated surfaces of the engine;
• Sealing of joints of engine parts and assemblies;
• Energy transmission and transformation.

In modern engines, the hydraulic valve compensator is the first mechanism to fail due to dirty oil. It is not necessary to talk about the role played by the part in the operation of the motor, nevertheless, oil is the main reason for the failure of the device.

The meaning and frequency of replacement

Before proceeding with the replacement processes, it is necessary to clearly define why this is being done. Given the functions performed by the oil, it is clear that the engine needs this fluid. However, microscopic particles that accumulate in the motor do not disappear anywhere. Over time, the filter element that traps dirt and deposits overflows. Particles are distributed throughout the lubrication system and act like an abrasive, leading to even more wear. For this reason, the correct change of the engine oil implies observance of the frequency, the use of oil of the established standard, and also the replacement of the filter element.

The frequency of oil changes is directly related to the type and design of the power unit. The correct answer is given only by the manufacturer, for this, read the instructions for the product. According to the standard, the timing is set based on the vehicle's mileage. For most internal combustion engines, we are talking about 7000-10,000 kilometers.

It should be borne in mind that many factors affect the state of the lubricant. So, the oil change in a diesel engine is carried out earlier than in a gasoline unit. This is due to the design features of the motor, high thermal and power loads, and, as a result, early wear of the installation. In addition to the load, the speed limit, the type of oil used (the mineral base of the lubricant loses its properties faster than the synthetic base), climatic conditions, transportation of heavy loads and other parameters are taken into account.

Self replacement

Changing the engine oil is not a difficult process, if desired, each car owner will perform the procedure with his own hands, saving money on service. Provided that the deadline for the work has come, in the presence of time, place and additional equipment, the operation implies the following actions:

• Read the instructions for the engine, each motor model has its own sequence of operations. The need to use tools (pullers, screwdrivers, etc.), as well as various methods of fixing elements will affect the speed of the process.
• Prepare the necessary tools and materials for replacement (oil, filter, screwdrivers, waste container, napkins and other auxiliary equipment), depending on the model and design of the engine.
• Place the vehicle on a level surface in such a way to provide access to the sump. Better to use a flyover, a garage with a pit, a lift. If not, use a bump or jack up the vehicle by placing each wheel on a stable foot.

• Warm up the engine to operating temperature before draining the oil. After warming up, unscrew the nut in the oil pan, open the oil filler cap and dismantle the filter element.
• Wait until the waste is drained into the prepared container.

• Determine the degree of engine wear by the consistency of the used oil, and also draw a conclusion about the performance of the type of oil.
• Based on the condition of the used oil, decide whether to flush or not.

• Install a new filter element, before fixing the part, lubricate the sealing gum with oil. This will keep the filter securely in place and help build up the necessary pressure in the system.

• Fill the system with fresh oil to the required level through the lubricant filler neck. Check the level with a dipstick, make sure that the oil does not go beyond the "minimum" and "maximum" marks.

• After filling with new fluid, start the car, check that the lubrication pressure light goes out. Then let the motor run for ten minutes, turn off and check the level again. Add oil if necessary. During this period, check for oil leaks from the seals.

• After the car has traveled twenty kilometers, check the leaks and oil level again. In case of any deficiencies, fix the problem.

Flushing the engine

Sometimes, during the oil change procedure, the vehicle owner decides to use a fluid to flush the engine. It is necessary to use such a tool carefully, having read the instructions and clearly making sure that there is no other way out. Violation of the rules for use and operation can lead to costly repairs to the unit.

• Purchase of a used car. The new owner is not sure what kind of oil was used for the engine and is afraid that the lubricant he has purchased is not compatible with the substance previously filled.
• Changing from one type of oil to another, for example, after using a mineral oil, a synthetic agent will be added.
• Change of oil manufacturer. In this case, we are talking about the risk of incompatibility of the additive package in the fluids used.
• Operation in difficult conditions, non-observance of the regulations for work with the engine, contamination of the oil channels.
• Fuel or coolant contamination of the lubricant due to a malfunction of the motor.

The listed reasons, the reason for the use of flushing fluids, however, if there are no serious prerequisites for the use of substances, it is better not to risk it and confine ourselves to a classic grease change.

The flushing procedure proceeds depending on which fluid option is selected:

• Flushing oil. Today, the wash group is rare. The application is reduced to draining the used oil, filling the flushing oil and operating the engine for two, three days in a gentle mode on this substance. Then the flush is drained and standard oil is filled.

• Additive to mining. The liquid is sold in the form of a 200-300 gram concentrate, which is added to the development of a diesel or gasoline engine before draining. Or in the form of flushing, which is poured after draining the mining. After getting into the engine, the unit is allowed to run for fifteen, twenty minutes, the mining is drained and fresh oil is poured.
• "Five minutes". The cleaner is presented in the form of a concentrate, which is poured before the waste is drained and the motor is allowed to run for five minutes. After that, the oil is drained, together with the cleaner, and fresh grease is poured in.

Considering that the composition of the cleaners includes a large amount of alkali, using flushes, be prepared for the consequences associated with the impact on the engine rubber products. Oil seals often suffer, the product hardens and cracks. In addition, a sharp impact on the accumulated deposits, tears them off and forces them to migrate through the lubrication system, clogging the oil receiver, filter, oil channels.

Alternative replacement methods

Obviously, changing the engine oil is not difficult. The only problem that the user faces when doing the work on his own is access to the engine compartment. We solve this issue, the car is installed on bars or bricks, fixed with a jack, the main thing is to provide an approach to the drain plug.

It should be noted that in addition to the traditional oil drain method, there are other ways to service the car. For example, an express oil change in the engine. The principle is that the grease is not removed from the sump by draining, but is discharged from there through the dipstick hole. For self-replacement, use a syringe to pump out the oil. Before carrying out the procedure, the engine is warmed up, after which a tube is inserted into the hole and the oil is pumped out, creating a vacuum in the sump.

The replacement method is not effective, it is recommended to use it in case of emergency. Vacuum oil change in the engine does not provide complete cleaning of the installation from impurities and suspended matter, therefore further operation of the unit is associated with the risk of failure of parts and mechanisms.

Today, at car service stations, there is an oil change service using special devices. This is the so-called hardware oil change in the engine. There are many conflicting opinions about this method. As a rule, motorists compare it to the garage method of extracting oil through a dipstick, but there is a difference.

When removing oil from the engine cavity by the hardware method, a special installation is used. The engine is warmed up to operating temperature. In the case when a syringe is used, the oil in the engine was changed through a dipstick, this method involves pumping out the liquid through the filler neck. A special tube is inserted, a pressure drop is created and the oil in full, together with impurities and dirt, is removed from the tank.

Nozzles, tubes, devices are provided. This gives a complete guarantee that any type of unit can be serviced. However, it should be noted that some manufacturers' engines are not designed for hardware replacement (eg Subaru). For these motors, only the classic oil drain is prescribed in the operating instructions. That is why, before servicing the installation, check the technical documentation provided by the developer.

Note that the traditional method is a more correct and efficient replacement method. Application removes impurities in full. In the case of the hardware method, it is recommended to reduce the intervals between replacements, and to carry out the procedure more often. Some auto mechanics recommend alternating between the two for maximum optimization through the use of different technologies.

You can change the oil in the engine yourself, without having a certain level of qualification, you just need to familiarize yourself with some of the subtleties of this process, which we will discuss in our article. Let's make a reservation right away, motorists who own a car from the salon that are under warranty should not ponder the issue of replacing the engine mixture: the oil is changed at MOT with a mark in the car's service book, otherwise the vehicle service warranty will no longer be valid.

Changing the engine mixture is a prerequisite for the operation of the power unit, thanks to the use of good quality oil, it is possible to exclude the possibility of carbon deposits and sludge formation on the drive elements. The main reason for their formation is the processes leading to the aging of oils - the oxidation reaction of hydrocarbons included in the base of motor oil.

If the car is new and its owner uses an engine fluid recommended by a vehicle dealer, makes a scheduled oil change in time, then the formation of deposits on the engine elements is excluded: modern oils have detergents in their structure that prevent the formation of deposits. Owners of new cars, in which the drive has passed less than half of its life, when replacing the engine fluid should be guided by the following rules:

1. You cannot save on the quality of the car oil. The synthetic base is the optimal solution, it practically does not change the viscosity-technological indicators at various temperature conditions.
2. Mineral water is changed after 7-8 thousand mileage after the planned replacement of the engine mixture, semi-synthetics must be replaced after 10 thousand km, synthetics can be changed at - 15 thousand km. But keep in mind that these recommendations are for European roads where the operating conditions of the machine are close to ideal. In our case, it is better not to reach the recommended mileage and carry out the scheduled replacement earlier than the specified interval.
3. Adhering to extreme driving style, or being in frequent traffic jams, keep in mind that these factors negatively affect the engine mixture. When heated, the liquid liquefies, its protective properties deteriorate, so if you strive to be the first at traffic lights, then buy high-quality products on a synthetic basis.
4. Before changing the engine oil, consider the temperature outside the vehicle, it is important that the fluid has a viscosity that can protect the engine from wear at the lowest and highest temperatures in your area.

The situation with changing the oil in the engine of a used car is more complicated, before changing the engine fluid, consider what mixture was used before. You should not change mineral water to synthetics: synthetic mixtures have increased detergent properties and, on a heavily contaminated motor, can break down deposits without completely dissolving them. This will lead to the separation of the split mass from the surface of the drive elements and provoke clogging of the channels of the lubrication system and the internal combustion engine. A heavily contaminated engine must be properly flushed before changing the car oil.

Preparatory work

Preparing to change the oil in the engine

Check your car's service manual and read your car dealer's recommendations for engine fluid change and the correct type of oil for the specified model. Having found out which oil is better to pour into the engine, prepare inventory for changing the engine fluid:

• buy a new matching oil filter;
• a canister with motor fluid with a small margin so that its volume slightly exceeds the required volume of engine oil;
• a container for collecting waste - this can be a cut off canister, a bowl, it must fit under the vehicle and hold the entire volume of the spent mixture (comparable to the required volume of new oil for replacement);
• two keys, the first for unscrewing the drain plug, the second for the oil filter;
• flashlight - it will be dark under the car.
• plastic funnel;
• rags - a material with which you can wipe the working off, cover the floor surface, and so on;
• rubber gloves to avoid getting dirty.

To understand that it is required to replace the engine mixture earlier than the established mileage, you can check the oil for transparency. To do this, let the motor run for about 15 minutes before checking. Then take the oil from the engine using the dipstick and apply a small amount to white paper or cloth. The need to change the oil is evidenced by the turbid shade of the liquid, plus the presence of particles of various impurities (dust, oxidation reaction products) in it. A light shade of the motor fluid indicates its suitability.

Standard Mix Drain Procedure

Performing the specified process correctly, you must follow the procedure for replacing the car oil:

1. Place the machine on a level surface. It is advisable to choose an overpass or a viewing pit for this. Inventive motorists drive cars (front) onto bricks or blocks, thus raising them in front of the car in order to substitute a container for draining the liquid. But at the same time, the mining will not completely flow out of the pallet.
2. Fix the car in a static position, for this put the car on the "parking" or the handbrake. The vehicle should not slide to the side - this condition is the key to your safety.
3. Warm up the drive to operating temperature, then wait a few minutes (up to 15 minutes) for the engine elements and engine fluid to cool slightly to avoid scalding.
4. Remove the protective panels that block access to the oil pan.
5. Place a container for collecting waste under the pallet on newspaper or sawdust: oil will spray out.
6. Unscrew the plug in the motor sump. This is the lowest point on the pallet, if in doubt, find it in the car's operating instructions. First unscrew with a wrench, then, after loosening the nut, continue unscrewing it by hand: the oil will flow quickly and there is a possibility of dropping the plug into the waste collection container. There should be a metal or plastic gasket on the plug, it can stick to the oil pan, do not uranium it into the drained liquid.
7. The engine mixture is drained quickly enough, a few minutes. A small part of the used oil will remain in the engine, this is normal.
8. Assess the degree of contamination of the drained engine mixture, if there is a large amount of sediment in the oil, it is necessary to flush the engine before filling with a new car oil.
9. After all the glass has been worked out, remove the container with it and install the plug in its original place. Tighten the plug with a wrench.
10. Start replacing the oil filter. You can unscrew it, in some car models, with two hands without using a special key, for other models they use a puller or key. Remove the hatch or cover that is blocking access to the cleaning element. When unscrewing the filter element, do not rush, make sure that the oil in it does not spill. Then check the new filter for defects in its seat, make sure that the seat ring is removed from the old filter. Install the filter element on the seat, tighten it by hand, then with a wrench. Wipe off any smudges with a rag.

Watch the video on changing the engine oil:

Adding new lubricant to the motor

Raise the hood of the machine, unscrew the cap on the drive filler neck and install an oil filler funnel. Then fill the power unit with new oil using a funnel. When filling engine fluid, monitor its level using the oil dipstick. Fill in more than half of the required volume of engine oil, then add, adjusting the oil with the dipstick to the required mark. It is necessary to top up the engine oil up to the average value between the max and min mark. Then thoroughly wipe off any oil-spilled areas under the hood to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating on them over time. Tighten the filler cap. Next, start the drive without increasing its speed, let it run for a few minutes until the indicator lamp for the lack of pressure in the system goes out. Warm up the engine at idle speed, then drive off the overpass or inspection pit. This is the final stage of replacing the motor fluid on your own. You can correctly change the oil by adhering to this scheme. At the same time, keep in mind that it is necessary to replace the used oil with quality products. Filling with cheap car oil, you endanger the engine: it is not known whether it will prevent the formation of deposits and will not lead to a poor-quality mixture to dry friction of parts.

The amount of engine oil that needs to be poured into the internal combustion engine can be determined using the car operating instructions. Most often, for light vehicles, an oil volume of 3.5 -5.5 liters is used. If you are in doubt about how much oil you need to purchase, you can find out the required amount at a car service, where you will be given advice on the engine of your car.

Express replacement of engine oil at a specialized service station

You can change the oil at a service station, where a special vacuum unit is used for these purposes, consisting of a compressor, a probe and a reservoir. The fluid is pumped out through the dipstick hole. Of the advantages of this method, the speed of replacement and the low cost of work should be highlighted. In addition, there is no need to remove the protective and decorative elements of the car body - protection of the motor crankcase, plastic linings, and so on. Express replacement makes it possible to change almost all the fluid - it allows you to pump out the mixture from the crankcase quite efficiently.

This method is indispensable if you urgently need to replace a car oil in a situation where time is limited. It can be done on your own at home if you have the appropriate equipment. Plus, there is no need to get under the car, if possible, by opening the hood, dismantle the oil filter.

Of the shortcomings, some features of this procedure should be indicated:

• it is necessary to ensure that the volume of the drained oil is equal to the regulated volume of the crankcase filling (the deviation from the norm can be up to 200 grams);
• make sure that no third-party objects (tubes, nozzles, etc.) remain in the engine after replacing the engine mixture;
• it will not be possible to completely remove the mixture that has mixed with particles of dust and dirt and settled in the sump - this reduces the quality of the new engine fluid.

This method has both advantages and disadvantages, moreover, depending on the situation, it may be the only possible option for changing the car oil.

Let's summarize

There are several ways to change the oil. Experienced mechanics recommend alternating the usual change of the engine mixture with an express replacement, plus, depending on the type of engine and its contamination, flush the power unit. Having chosen the method of self-changing the oil in the engine, adhere to the above recommendations, this will avoid additional costs for repairing the engine. Turning to a service station, make sure that the masters will fill your drive with a certified oil of the required viscosity. Eliminate the possibility of mixing several brands of car oils in one engine, because pouring such a “cocktail” into the drive of a car is difficult to predict what kind of interaction will arise between the additives added to the base of car oils by different manufacturers. The resource of the motor depends on your care and responsible attitude to the replacement of the car oil.

Unfortunately, our modern world has turned many motorists into simple car users. After all, many of us (you) do not even know where the oil dipstick is in the car, let alone the brake reservoir itself. (?) We just got lazy and, unfortunately, began to think less about the car itself. Many car enthusiasts now prefer to go directly to the car service and even for various trifles, which has become not at all strange, thereby paying rather large sums in the car service for the services of these technical centers.

Today, the life algorithm of many car drivers is very simple, namely: - "Some icon popped up on the dashboard - it means it's time to visit a car service." Fortunately, not all motorists have lost interest in their cars. For those who are not indifferent to this, we offer an ever exciting topic, namely, about motor oil, which often pops up among motorists on the Internet and, it would seem, about which so much has been said, everything that was possible. Yes, dear friends, this is actually the case. But we, for our part, decided to tell our motorists in our own way which oils should be used and how much such a planned oil change usually costs.

According to the approved statistics, the average Russian car enthusiast (motorist) drives his car at least 12,000-14,000 km annually. Now imagine how many revolutions the engine of the car makes after passing this mileage. (?) And this is without taking into account the idle speed. Thus, if we add idle speed to these revolutions, then we get a very solid amount of mileage, namely, that every year the engine in each car winds up a rather huge mileage.

Depending on the use of the car and under certain conditions, the engine pistons in the cylinders sometimes move at a speed of up to 17 meters per second, and the crankshaft itself in the engine rotates at a speed of 6,000 rpm. Now you probably imagine what kind of load the power unit of your car receives. (?)

To withstand these enormous loads over a long period of time, the engine lubrication system was created. That is why it is so important to pay attention to the lubrication of the engine, what kind of engine oil you pour into the unit of your car.

It is also important not only the quality of the oil, but also the very regularity of its replacement along with the oil filter, which also plays a very important role.

Unfortunately, or even we can say fortunately that in today's car market there is a huge variety of different motor oils, in which even a very experienced driver can get confused. Dear friends, we will try in this article to tell you about what you need to pay attention to and how to find the right oil for your car, among such a huge selection of mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic fluids. We hope that it will serve and optimally protect all internal components of the engine of your car for a long time and as reliably as possible.

This is why it is so important to change your engine oil frequently.

Motor oil lubricates, cools, seals, cleans, protects against corrosion, etc. Here's how to very briefly explain what engine oil does in an internal combustion engine.

As you can see, friends, the tasks of motor oils are very diverse, but they are certainly important for the normal operation of the engine and for its long service life.

But the main job of engine oil is to prevent wear and tear on moving parts in the engine that are constantly rubbing against each other. Thanks to the oil, a protective oil film forms between these engine parts, which, in fact, reduces this friction.

Without this protective film, the surface of the piston and cylinder will be damaged in a fairly short time and then the motor will simply fail.

Just as important is the function of the engine oil associated with the cooling of the unit itself. The point is this, this engine oil absorbs heat on very hot engine parts. In addition, the oil constantly flushes various dirt particles from the internal components of the engine that are formed during the combustion process. In particular, any engine oil quietly absorbs the finest metal particles that are formed due to natural wear of the internal components of the power unit.

What kind of engine oils are there and what kind of fluid do you need to fill in your car?

Motor oils are generally classified into two main types, namely: mineral and synthetic. Both of these oils are made from petroleum, with the exception of some newer fluids that are now being made from gas.

Various chemical additives are usually added to mineral oil after the production process. But synthetic oil has already been improved chemically and specifically during the main production process.

Synthetic oil has many advantages over the same mineral oil. For example, synthetic oil can be used over a wider temperature range than mineral oils, which generally have their own seasonality. Thus, many types of synthetic oils can be used both in summer and winter, which distinguishes them from mineral fluids.

In terms of the quality and durability of synthetic oil, this very fluid refers specifically to premium automotive lubricating fluids. The fact is that, due to the peculiarities of a more complex production process, synthetic oils, they naturally and are significantly more expensive than mineral fluids.

But the high cost of these oils shouldn't scare you. Such synthetic oil is definitely better and will keep the car engine much longer. For example, the lubricating film of the same synthetics (oil) is not destroyed even at maximum engine load. This provides both better engine cooling and a longer oil change interval.

Unfortunately, not all types of such synthetic oils are universal and suitable for most modern cars. Each automaker usually makes its own tolerances for engine oils and naturally recommends to fill strictly only certain fluids.

But this does not mean that if the manual for the car does not say anything definite about the engine oil that is recommended by the automaker, then it cannot be used at all. To understand whether a particular engine oil can be used in an engine, you, for your part, should pay attention to the specification of this particular engine oil, which is usually indicated on the packaging itself.

With this specification, you will be able to specifically understand whether a particular oil is suitable for your vehicle. If you yourself cannot figure out this issue, then you can go directly to the car shop, where the seller will check according to special tables and tell you whether it is possible to fill this or that oil into the engine of your car.

Oil change interval: How often the oil should be changed.

There are many different opinions and versions about engine oil drain intervals. You can be convinced of this for yourself if you write the following query in some search engine on the Internet: "How often do you need to change the oil in the engine?" In response to your request, you will immediately receive a lot of links to various sites and forums, where you will immediately and completely get confused, as you will see there many conflicting and completely opposite opinions about changing the oil.

So what should you do in the end, how often do you need to change the engine oil? Firstly, we advise you not to listen to anyone at first, except for your car manufacturer, who, in the vehicle manual, indicates a specific oil change interval in your car's engine. Also, all such information is also in the car's service book, which usually indicates the schedule for MOT (maintenance) work and in terms of time and mileage of the car itself.

True, dear friends, we want to draw your attention to the following, that the information in the same service book does not take into account your individual driving style and the operating conditions of the car. After all, the driving style and operating conditions of the car directly affect the wear of the oil in the engine itself. Therefore, please remember that under certain conditions the oil change interval may be much shorter than the manufacturer's recommended one.

And friends, keep in mind that the recommended engine oil change interval is always common for all, without exception, drivers who live in which country, in which region and in which settlement it does not matter. That is, this oil change interval is recommended for all car owners, without exception, who live either in Europe or Asia, or they live in Russia, it makes no difference.

But since the quality of the fuel in our country itself is much lower and worse than the European one, which in turn greatly affects the durability of the oil in the engine, then the interval of such an engine oil change in the engine in our country should certainly be less than for a car, which operated on European roads.

Here, of course, everything depends on where and in what place in Russia you use your car. For example, according to the same statistics, it was found that the quality of fuel at gas stations in cities such as Moscow, Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Kazan and other similar cities is much better than in other small peripheral cities or towns. Therefore, in these cities, car fuel does not differ much from European quality, which in turn does not significantly affect the motor oil itself.

But unfortunately in these very cities there is very heavy traffic. Ultimately, car enthusiasts (motorists) in these cities have to operate their cars in a not very useful "start-stop" mode. Thus, it turns out that in these cities it would be better to reduce the oil change interval itself and not follow the schedule set by the automaker. But if we are talking about the same operation of the car already in the Russian outback, then this oil change interval due to the very low quality of the fuel is better to immediately reduce, at least 2 times.

Usually, the automakers themselves on modern cars today recommend changing the oil every 15,000 thousand km. Thus, in Moscow and in other large cities of the country, we still recommend changing the engine oil every 10,000 - 12,000 thousand km. In other regions of the country, it is best to change the oil more often, namely every 8,000 - 10,000 thousand km.

And how often do car owners need to change the engine oil who do not cover such a mileage in a whole year? In this case, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of the car factory itself and change the oil in the engine at least once a year.

Also, each of the drivers must draw up their own individual plan for replacing the engine oil. For example, if you drive short distances quite often and often start your car in cold operating conditions, then we advise you to change the engine oil more often than the automaker itself recommends.

By changing engine oil often, you thus provide additional protection for your engine, and this, as you understand, is not even bad at all. Also, many motorists are interested in this, what kind of oil should they buy, cheap or expensive of a well-known brand? Of course, everyone must decide for himself personally. But nevertheless, for our part, we simply do not recommend getting hung up on just one expensive engine oil, unless of course you are the owner of a powerful supercar.

Here's the thing. It has recently been found that cheap motor oils are just as good as their more expensive counterparts. Therefore, friends, remember, you do not have to buy an expensive oil today, a well-known and promoted brand all over the world. Please remember that today it is quite possible to get by with inexpensive engine oil.

The main thing here is definitely to know from whom you are acquiring this very oil, since in our country, in car dealerships, very often counterfeit "left" engine oil began to come across. Moreover, what is most interesting, most often on the shelves of car dealerships it is precisely the fake of specific expensive brands of oil manufacturers that comes across. Therefore, please remember that when purchasing a cheaper engine oil, you reduce your risk of running into a fake.

Remember to change the oil filter when changing the oil.

By the way, every time you change the oil in the engine, do not forget about the obligatory replacement of the oil filter itself. Remember friends that the oil filter is also very important in filtering the fluid that lubricates the engine. The fact is that the oil filter filters out dirt and metal particles due to natural engine wear. Ultimately, over time, certain dirt accumulates inside the filter, which sooner or later can lead to incorrect operation of the filter.

Is it possible to change the oil filter before changing the oil? We do not recommend doing this, since in this case the new filter will simply quickly become dirty with the old engine oil and, as a result, with the next oil change (change), you will have to install a new oil filter again.

How much does an engine oil change cost?

Where can I change the engine oil or can I do it myself? This question worries many of our motorists (motorists) today. This answer, of course, depends on how much money (amount of money) you are willing to spend on this procedure and whether you are familiar with the oil change process itself.

If your car is still under the factory warranty, then we do not recommend that you change the oil in the engine yourself, as this can lead to a simple loss of such a warranty. But this does not mean at all that you should only buy oil from a car dealer, paying him a lot of money for it. According to current legislation, you have the right to come to an official technical center with oil and a filter purchased on the side. So you dear friend can save a lot of money on this.

How much does it cost to replace the engine oil in a car? It all depends on your brand and model of car and on the volume of oil itself. Also, this cost of replacing the oil also depends on the cost per hour in a technical auto-technical center.

Of course, the cheapest option is to change the engine oil yourself. But again, if your car is still under warranty, then there is a risk of flying over with the warranty. Although this issue is controversial, since, if some kind of factory defect is detected in the car (in the engine), the representative of the car plant will have to specifically prove that such an independent oil change led precisely to the failure of a certain part in the car.

Nevertheless, friends, do not forget that you and I live in Russia, where the laws are not very good and always work. Therefore, it is better not to advise you to change the oil yourself until the same factory warranty expires. It will be better this way.

Now about the price. The average cost of oil change work in Russia today is approximately from 700 to 1000 rubles (unofficial medium-sized car services). Of course, for the officials, such an oil change cost will be significantly higher. Theoretically, the engine oil can be changed at a cheaper rate, say, somewhere, for example, in a garage service.

Save money: Change the oil yourself.

As we said above, the cheapest way to change the oil is when you yourself will carry out all the work. True, for this you need a specific place for such work and also a special tool.

Typically, an average of 3.5 to 5 liters of oil is needed to change the engine oil in an engine. But here, of course, everything is individual, it all depends on the volume of the car's engine itself. To see exactly how much oil you need to fill in the engine, in advance and first study the operating manual for the car, where the automaker usually indicates the volumes of all the liquids to be filled.

Any car engine uses several working fluids that perform specific tasks. One of these liquids is oil.

Lubrication performs several functions in the power plant:

1. reduces friction between the components of the engine;
2. removes heat from them;
3. and also washes parts of the engine, due to which it removes debris and wear products from the working surfaces, on which the engine resource directly depends.

Oil is a rather complex liquid, consisting of a mineral or synthetic base, their mixture (the so-called semi-synthetic oils), as well as a package of additives that give the lubricant certain properties.

During operation, the oil gradually develops a resource and loses its properties. And since this liquid plays an important role, it requires periodic replacement.

Official dealers carrying out maintenance under warranty carry out an oil change at each maintenance prescribed in the regulations.

But not all cars are serviced at official service stations, so car owners have to independently monitor the condition of the engine and change the oil after a certain period of car operation.

Oil change intervals

The frequency of oil change is indicated in the accompanying tech. documentation for the car. The lubricant recommended for use is also indicated there.

The service life of the oil depends on the composition and characteristics of the operation of the car. So, mineral oil can work up to 10 thousand km, and then it must be replaced. But this type of oil is practically not used; either semi-synthetic or synthetic oil is poured into the car. These types of oils can already work up to 15 thousand km.

But there is one important feature. A large mileage when changing the oil is possible if the machine is operated in "greenhouse" conditions. That is, the working conditions of the lubricant should be almost ideal, which in reality is very rare. Temperature fluctuations, increased loads, driving without heating, idle time in traffic jams affect the lubricant, which is why the service life is reduced. Under normal operating conditions, the oil in the engine should be changed every 10-12 thousand km, but if the car is subjected to severe operating conditions, then the frequency is reduced to 5-7 thousand km.

If the oil is not changed, then it will gradually lose its qualities - the lubrication of the rubbing surfaces will be insufficient, which will lead to rapid wear of the units.

What work will be required?

Changing the engine oil is one of the most frequently performed engine maintenance operations. It is not difficult, you can do it yourself even for a novice car owner. To complete it, not so much is required:

• open-end wrenches;
• a special wrench for unscrewing the oil filter;
• container for collecting mining;
• new oil;
• oil filter;
• funnel (cut off the neck of a plastic bottle);
• rags.

When switching to another type of lubricant, it is recommended to additionally flush the engine. Also, this operation is done when the oil is changed for the first time on a machine purchased from the hands, because it is not known for certain which oil the previous owner used.

Therefore, we will consider how to change the oil using the example of the Chevrolet Lanos.

Step-by-step instruction

Having prepared the necessary tools and devices, you can get to work. For this:

1. We warm up the engine to the optimum temperature for 10 minutes. You can also change the oil immediately after a ride, but it takes time for the engine to cool down, otherwise you may get burned. It is imperative to warm up the machine so that the oil "lifts" all settled contaminants and also becomes more liquid.

2. We install the car on the inspection pit to get to the traffic jam easier. You can, of course, do without a pit, but access to the drain plug will not be very convenient.

3. Remove the oil filler cap. This will allow the lubricant to drain off more quickly. If this is not done, oil will flow out slowly, since a vacuum will form inside the motor, since air will not penetrate into the motor.

4. Wipe the drain plug and the adjacent surfaces of the pallet with a rag.

5. We take a container for collecting waste (it can be an old oil canister with a cut out sidewall) and place it under the drain plug.

6. Using a wrench, tear off the drain plug (clockwise). After breaking off, the plug can be easily unscrewed even by hand. Unscrewing, we hold it, because when completely unscrewing, the pressure of the oil can knock it out of the hand, then you will have to "catch" it from the working off.

7. Leave the oil to drain and go to the engine compartment. We tear off and change the oil filter with a special key.

8. If there is no such key, you can punch through the filter housing with a screwdriver, push it all the way in, and then use the screwdriver as a lever. You also need to unscrew the filter clockwise. The oil filter is located either on the front or on the rear wall of the cylinder block.

9. Take a new filter element and lubricate the O-ring of the filter with clean oil.

10. Reinstall the filter and tighten it. A wrench is not needed for this; hand force is sufficient for tightening.

11. After replacing and installing the filter, see if oil is leaking. If it continues to drain, wait until this process stops. We change the sealing gasket on the drain plug (if required) and put it in place. The force for tightening the plug should be medium. It is not necessary to tighten too much, otherwise the threads may be ripped off.

12. After draining, proceed to pouring.

In those. the documentation, we find out the amount of oil that should be in the engine. For example, it is indicated that 4.7 liters are poured into the engine. Knowing this, we carry out the filling, and we do it in several stages. First, through a funnel installed in the oil filler neck, fill in about 3.5 liters.

We wait until the oil is completely lowered into the pan, then check the level with a dipstick. If there is not enough oil, then add another 0.5 liters, wait and check the level. Usually, a little less lubricant will enter the engine than indicated in the documentation, because all the oil from the engine will not drain, some of it will remain. It is important to ensure that the oil level is located between the "Min" and "Max" marks on the dipstick, it is possible that it is closer to the "Max", but does not reach it.

1. Fill in the grease completely, reinstall the filler cap and start the engine so that the oil flows through the channels of the system.
2. After the first ride after the change, check the level, as well as inspect the plug and filter for leaks.
3. Now for one moment. If the oil is not refilled, it's okay, it can be brought to the level. But it so happens that it was poured, and its level is higher than "Max". The machine cannot be operated at this level, since this will lead to the extrusion of the crankshaft oil seals.

To restore the level within the required limits, use a conventional medical syringe (20 ml) and a dropper tube. We put this tube on the syringe. We lower the end of the dropper into the pan through the dipstick hole and pump out the oil. This operation is dreary, since the grease is pumped out slowly, and it may be necessary to pull out more than one syringe to achieve the required level. But there is no need to unscrew the plug, completely drain the oil and refill it.

How to change the oil with flushing the engine

As for replacing the lubricant with flushing the engine, it is carried out in about the same way as described, but in addition you will have to perform some actions. Also, for replacement, you will need a special flushing fluid.

If the oil is changed with flushing, then it is not necessary to immediately remove the used filter. After draining the mining, we put the drain plug in place, and the gasket on it does not need to be changed. Then we fill the engine with flushing fluid. The amount of oil required for flushing is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

After refueling by flushing, start the engine and let it run for a while (5-15 minutes). We turn off the engine, take another container for collection and drain the flushing liquid from the installation (it is drained in the same way as mining).

And only after flushing, we change the filter and the plug gasket, fill in new oil, doing this as described above.

That's the whole sequence of changing the oil in the engine and the procedure is suitable for any car.

Video: Changing engine oil.

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