Self-changing engine oil. Where to change engine oil, replacement methods, features Ways to change engine oil

The power unit is a key element in the design of any self-propelled vehicle. The durability and reliability of its operation largely depends on how correctly and timely the oil is changed in the car engine. The role of lubrication in ensuring the normal operation of the power unit is difficult to overestimate.

Thanks to engine oil, effective lubrication of the rubbing surfaces of the moving elements of the motor is ensured, the combustion chamber is constantly cleaned of soot and deposits, and excess heat is removed and dissipated from the engine housing and parts of the cylinder-piston group. Anti-corrosion additives, present in almost all types of motor oils, help protect the internal components of the power unit from rust.

Types and classification of motor oils

In the vast majority of internal combustion engines, both diesel and gasoline, motor oils are used, which are classified:

• according to the chemical composition of the base: mineral, semi-synthetic, synthetic;
• viscosity (viscosity class according to SAE);
• quality (ACEA or API);
• tolerances or quality standards of car manufacturers.

Modern passenger cars are equipped, as a rule, with forced engines, for the lubrication of which synthetic motor oil is used. This type of oil consists of fully synthetic components. Such synthesis products are characterized by high stability of physicochemical properties; synthetic oils perfectly perform their functions under a wide variety of engine operating conditions. It is worth noting that it was the widespread use of "synthetics" that caused the increase in service intervals between oil changes by the world's leading automakers.

Engine oil change technology

Over time, any motor oil loses some of its properties. Under the influence of high temperature, aggressive products of fuel combustion, their molecular structure undergoes destructive changes - the old oil that has expired must be replaced. This service operation is usually carried out in a specialized car workshop, but an independent oil change can also be performed. This operation does not cause any particular problems and is carried out using a standard set of tools: wrenches, a container for draining used oil, an oil filter puller. The procedure for changing the oil is as follows:

• the car is raised on a lift or placed on a viewing hole;
• the crankcase protection is removed (if any);
• the cap on the oil filler neck and the drain plug on the crankcase are unscrewed;
• after complete draining of the used oil, the oil filter is replaced.

The volume of oil poured into the engine must exactly match the data specified in the specification for a particular engine. Minor deviations from the norm will not lead to serious consequences, but significant overfilling or underfilling of engine oil can cause damage to the power unit. So, for example, an insufficient oil level often causes the engine to overheat, with all the ensuing consequences; strong overflow can lead to extrusion of the crankshaft oil seals.

Engine oil change methods

The classic way to change engine oil is to drain the used material through the drain hole in the crankcase. This procedure is recommended to be carried out at service stations where there is the necessary equipment (lifts, containers for collecting used oil, special tools) and qualified personnel. At each scheduled oil change, the oil filter must be replaced. Often, the list of services provided additionally includes the replacement of fuel and air filter elements.

It is worth noting that in recent years, express oil change has become very popular. To completely remove exhausted engine oil, a portable vacuum unit is used, consisting of a compressor, a reservoir and a special hollow probe. Oil is pumped out through the hole for the oil dipstick. The obvious advantages of this method are the efficiency and low cost of work, as well as the absence of the need to dismantle safety (engine crankcase protection) and decorative (plastic lining on the bottom and fenders) body elements. A professional express or vacuum oil change is carried out using modern equipment and is necessarily accompanied by an oil filter change.

The frequency of the "oil" service

The recommended oil change interval is listed in the vehicle owner's manual. The value of this most important service parameter depends on the type of engine, its technical characteristics and operating conditions. Oil change intervals are determined by the vehicle manufacturer based on rigorous engineering calculations and extensive testing and testing. Therefore, when carrying out scheduled service maintenance of the car, it is recommended to follow these instructions as accurately as possible.

The interval after which the engine oil should be changed is indicated in kilometers or miles, but in parallel with these data, a time period can also be indicated - 3 months, 6 months or 1 year. It is worth noting that when deciding whether to change the oil, the mileage parameter is more significant than the time factor, especially if the car is operated in intensive mode.

The average mileage through which it is recommended to replace the old oil with a new one for most cars is in the range from 8 to 12 thousand kilometers. The replacement intervals given are average, but they can be adjusted depending on the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. It is important to remember that engine oil change intervals should be halved if the following factors occur:

• use of fuel of unsatisfactory quality;
• operation of the car in taxi mode;
• intensive operation of the car in urban traffic jams and congestion;
• frequent driving on dusty and polluted highways;
• operation in conditions of extreme temperatures;
• aggressive or sporty driving mode.

Strict adherence to service intervals for changing engine oil is a key factor that ensures not only long and trouble-free operation of the engine, but also achieves significant fuel savings. Do not forget that it is advisable to use high-quality original engine oils recommended by the manufacturer for a particular car model for engine lubrication.

Changing the engine oil is one of the main maintenance procedures. Without proper lubrication, the engine will wear out more and quickly fail, which will entail additional repair costs. Therefore, it is recommended to change engine oil correctly and on time.

Preparation for work

Before changing the oil, it is worth checking its current condition. You need to look at the transparency and consistency of the liquid. It is worth paying attention to the smell. Black, thick grease interspersed with dirt and an unpleasant odor indicates the need for replacement. It is also worth checking to see if the oil is stratifying. If there are light and transparent fractions at the top, and a thick, opaque suspension at the bottom, then the liquid must be changed.

You should start with the preparation of the workplace. Here you need to remember - you can’t change the lubricant near residential buildings. You will need a specially equipped workplace. Example: garage with a viewing hole, overpass, etc.

Do not forget about safety, the driver must comply with the following requirements:

• Work away from children. The situation in which the driver works on the playground is unacceptable.
• The oil should not be hot. Allow it to cool if necessary. It is worth remembering - hot grease leaves unpleasant burns.
• Before work, you need to prepare comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. And it should be made from natural fabrics. When ignited, synthetics stick to the body. And when working with oil, there is always a risk of fire.
• The machine must be firmly fixed in place. Stoppers are installed under the wheels, the car is left in speed and on the handbrake. When working with a lift, its reliability is checked in advance.
• Do not allow oil to get into eyes, nose or mouth. It must be remembered that this liquid can cause considerable harm to health.

Required Tools

The next stage of preparation is the selection of suitable tools.

And here you will need the following:

• A set of box and open-end wrenches. Ratchet wrenches will also come in handy. They will be required to remove the crankcase protection, disconnect the pan, etc. The size of the key depends on the vehicle. Experienced drivers recommend purchasing a set with sizes from 6 to 20 mm (or more) in advance.
• Screwdriwer set. Useful tools with a flat section, cruciform or torx (in the form of an asterisk).
• Waste oil container. It is worth remembering that the container should be taken 2-3 liters more than the amount of lubricant in the motor.
• New oil filter. If the oil is very dirty, then the filter will also have to be changed. You need to choose the right one for this car. And do not buy a filter on the market. It is better to overpay in a car dealership for quality than to spend money on repairs later.
• Means for washing the motor. Standard option: change engine oil. But with severe contamination, you can take a special flush.

Separately, it is worth talking about acquiring a suitable lubricant for the motor.

Oil selection

The first thing to mention is that the manufacturer is not very important when buying. Moreover, the products of famous brands are often counterfeited. Therefore, many drivers choose oil from little-known companies. But ideally, it is better to take the original fluid from the manufacturer of the machine.

But what is more important than the oil manufacturer?

Its type, grade and viscosity.

Types of motor oils:

• Mineral oil. Inexpensive liquid, sensitive to temperature changes. It exfoliates quickly, does not wash away dirt. The main advantage: availability and low cost. Not recommended if other options are available.
• Synthetic oil. Expensive and very high quality liquid. It is more difficult to get, it costs several times more than mineral water. But replacement is rarely needed. At the same time, synthetic lubricant protects the engine from unnecessary wear. If the driver is ready to overpay for quality, then his choice is synthetics.
• Semi-synthetic oil. Combination of two other options. In fact: a mineral base with a set of synthetic additives. Inferior in quality to synthetics, but better than standard mineral grease. At the same time, it is easy to acquire due to high availability and low price.

There are only three classes of oil. They indicate compliance with a certain quality standard. They look like this:

• SJ. The lowest quality. These fluids are outdated and hard to find. If you come across such a lubricant, it is better not to buy it.
• SL. The main quality standard recommended for cars up to 2004 release. Although it may be suitable for newer models. In general, the lubricant is of satisfactory quality.
• SM. The best lubricants for today. It is recommended to choose for any machines. It will protect the new engine from wear, and the old one will work longer.

Finally, need to deal with viscosity. For most oils, it is calculated according to the SAE classification. Specified as two digits. Example: SAE 10w-40. It is decoded like this:

• The number with the letter W is the lower temperature limit. In a simplified version, it should be considered as follows: subtract 35 from the number. Therefore, the index 0w indicates the operating temperature - 35 degrees. At lower temperatures, there will be problems starting the engine. By the way, there are special lubricants for such harsh winters. But most drivers don't need them.
• The second number, without letters, is the viscosity when the engine is warm. And here it is no longer related to the ambient temperature. This index shows how strong and uniform the lubricant layer is that covers the engine parts. The higher, the more even, and the lower the friction during engine operation. Therefore, the higher the number, the better, because the wear of the motor is reduced and its service life is increased.

The best option according to the SAE classification is 0w-40 engine oil.

It is worth mentioning fake oil. Many owners complain that even in official salons they are sold a fake. And you have to be able to recognize it. The driver will not be able to do a chemical analysis. But the simplest check will be within the power of every car owner.

There are the following options for checking the oil (fake or not):

• when buying liquid. The container with lubricant is shaken and part is poured into a transparent glass. Then it is left for 1-2 days. A precipitate appeared - fake oil. After all, even mineral grease does not exfoliate immediately after purchase.
• In progress. It is necessary to drop the oil on a paper napkin. Normal liquid spreads in a wide spot. It remains in the form of a drop - the lubricant must be changed.
• The appearance of sediment on the neck of the filler hole. There are two options here:
  • the liquid is of poor quality, stratifies;
  • oil has not been changed for a long time, the engine has not been washed. The new oil washed out the dirt. In both cases, the lubricant must be drained and changed.

Draining old fluid

The process of draining engine oil is as follows:

• The crankcase protection is removed.
• A container for used grease is placed under the drain hole.
• The drain plug is unscrewed. To speed up the process, you can also unscrew the filler plug. But this is done after the oil begins to drain.
• The old oil filter is removed. Important to remember! The filter is always removed when changing the lubricant. This item is disposable and cannot be repaired or cleaned. The only case when the filter is left is flushing.

Separately, it is worth describing the process of flushing the engine. The procedure is only needed if the oil has been changed less frequently than required by the regulations. Or when buying a used car. In this situation, it is better for the owner to change the oil and flush the engine in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Flushing is done after draining the used lubricant. Without removing the filter, new fluid is poured into the engine. The level is slightly above the minimum, determined by the probe. Now the engine warms up for 10-15 minutes, idling, at medium speed, without any devices turned on. The oil is then drained. The procedure is repeated if necessary. At the end, the old oil filter must be removed.

Engine oil change instructions

When changing the oil, it is advisable to install a new oil filter first. Before installation, it is recommended to pour grease into it. The volume is about a third of the filter.

1. Wipe the rubber seal with oil.
2. The part is then fixed in place.
3. After that, the fill plug is unscrewed and the drain plug is screwed.
4. Now new oil is pouring into the engine. The volume is indicated in the service book of the car. And it is worth remembering - excess lubrication is harmful! It increases the pressure in the motor and complicates its work.
5. After pouring the liquid, warm up the engine at medium speed. When starting the engine, the low oil indicator will come on. After 5-6 seconds, it should go out.

It is worth driving a car for 1-2 days, and then checking the lubrication level. If necessary, the oil is topped up to the correct level.

Express replacement: nuances and reasons

Express change - a way to quickly pump out oil. It is done through the hole for the probe. It is worth noting - experienced drivers do not recommend this method. It does not allow you to clean out all the dirt that settles in the motor. But if necessary, this method can be applied.

For the procedure you will need:

• Air pump. A manual version or a compressor will do.
• Grease drain container.
• Tube for pumping liquid. The outer diameter is equal to the diameter of the stylus hole. The length of the tube should reach the engine sump. It must be connected to the pump, without gaps.

The sequence of actions for express replacement:

1. The tube is immersed until it stops in the hole of the dipstick. Air must not pass between the tube and the walls of the hole.
2. When the pump is running, fluid is pumped out of the engine. Pump until air begins to be drawn in.
3. New lubricant is poured into the engine.

The method has advantages and disadvantages.

From the advantages: speed, no viewing hole or overpass required.

Disadvantages: the filter is not replaced, dirt remains in the motor. The method is used for urgent oil changes. Under normal circumstances, it is recommended to follow the standard procedure.

The key to long-term operation of the car is its regular maintenance and replacement of consumables, including the replacement of oils. Many car owners have all the conditions for this, for example, their own garage with a viewing hole, others have the opportunity to use such conditions to service their car.

It will be useful for such motorists to know how to properly change the oil in the engine. This procedure is simple and does not require any special skills or special expensive tools. At the same time, owners of new cars should not forget about the warranty period provided by the dealer network of this car brand.

In this case, the engine oil change procedure must be carried out at a service station with a mark in the vehicle's service book, otherwise there is a risk of voiding the warranty. This circumstance can serve as the only obstacle to self-maintenance of your "iron horse". The frequency of changing the oil in the engine is determined by the following factors:

• vehicle instruction manual;
• type of engine oil (synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral);
• terms of Use.

The information in the owner's manual that comes with each vehicle can give you a general idea of ​​the replacement intervals for all consumables, including oils. In addition to the instructions, it is necessary to focus on the conditions in which the car is operated.

If the engine is constantly under heavy load or most of the mileage is on dusty dirt roads, the period until the next engine oil change should be shortened. The types of oils in their composition also affect the length of the period between replacements. For example, synthetic-based oil is a higher quality product and lasts longer and more efficiently.

The procedure for changing the oil in the engine is quite simple and consists of several stages. We will try to cover each stage in as much detail as possible so that even a novice motorist can figure out how to perform this operation himself.

Preparatory stage

Before you start changing the oil in the engine with your own hands, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:

• an oil drain pan of the required capacity, preferably wide enough and with low sides;
• wrench for drain plug;
• tool for unscrewing the oil filter;
• light source (lantern, portable lamp);
• filling funnel;
• rubber gloves;
• protective glasses;
• rag.

The device for unscrewing the filter is not expensive, it can be purchased at any auto shop. It will be useful if you decide to constantly service your car yourself. A light source is needed to work under the vehicle. An LED flashlight that can be mounted on your head is best. It does not occupy the hands and gives sufficient lighting. Now let's move on to the car.

1. At the very beginning, using the vehicle's operating instructions, you should find the location of the filler neck, oil filter and drain plug. Often access to them can be limited (for example, by a decorative casing on the engine or a metal protection of the oil pan), so it is better to remove the interfering elements in advance if possible. The exception is the protective grille of the oil pan, it must be removed later, after entering the flyover.
2. To change the oil in the engine, a flyover or inspection hole is required. After installation on such, the car should be fixed on the site using a hand brake or wheel chocks.
3. Partially or completely remove the protective grille of the oil pan (if any), and then carefully inspect the surroundings of the drain. The fact is that when draining, a jet of oil can fall on the suspension elements and splash in all directions. It depends on the design of the car, the location of the engine, and so on. To do this, you need a sufficiently wide pallet for used oil, as well as safety glasses in case splashes get on your face.

Waste oil drain

To properly change the oil in the engine, it must be warmed up. The oil liquefies, its fluidity increases, which will make it possible to empty the oil sump and engine parts well. Do not warm up the engine to operating temperature to avoid burns to your hands when changing the oil. It is better to navigate by a device that shows the temperature of the oil, it should not show more than 40 ⁰С.

If there is no such device on the panel, it does not matter. Being careful, you need to gently touch the oil pan when warming up and stop the engine at the right time. Using a wrench, loosen the drain plug and unscrew it 1-2 turns, making sure that the gasket is present or not.

Then we substitute the pallet for draining the used oil and with our hands in rubber gloves we begin to unscrew the plug. An important point: you need to “feel” by the ease of rotation that the last turns of the thread are going and, when fully unscrewed, immediately take your hand with the plug away from the oil jet. After that, adjust the position of the sump so that all the oil from the engine gets into it.

It happens that the cork falls directly from the neck into the oil. Then you have to fish it out of there, after all the oil drains and cools down. Some motorists, using the garage in their own house, do the drain procedure in the evening, and continue in the morning so that all the oil from the engine flows out well overnight.

Oil filter replacement

It is recommended to lubricate the new filter well.

While the used oil flows safely into the sump, it is necessary to remove the oil filter. To do this, wipe it from dirt with a rag and first try to unscrew it with your hands. If this succeeds, we unscrew it, after placing a rag from below, so as not to once again wipe the engine parts and other elements in the engine compartment from oil drops, which can get lubricating fluid when the filter is removed.

With a rag, it is also necessary to wipe the filter seat flange on the cylinder block. Carefully place the old filter upside down and prepare for disposal. It is not always possible to unscrew the oil filter manually. Firstly, on some vehicles it is difficult to access it due to the design and location of the engine. Secondly, there are oil filters of small dimensions, which are not so easy to grasp well.

And thirdly, the rubber gasket "sticks" to the flange on the cylinder block and does not allow the filter to budge. For all such cases, a special key is used, with which you can easily grab the housing of the filter device in hard-to-reach places and unscrew it. There is only one drawback: when unscrewing, damage to the filter housing and oil leakage are not ruled out, which is completely removable. It should be noted a number of "folk" recommendations for unscrewing the oil filter.

1. For a secure grip, cut off a strip of medium grit sandpaper and wrap it around the body of the device before unscrewing it.
2. Take an old alternator drive belt or a wide leather belt and make a loop on it. It is put on the filter housing and pulled by the end of the belt to move the device.
3. "Barbaric" way: with a pointed metal pin of small diameter, they pierce the body through and through, take the ends on both sides with their hands and unscrew the filter. Care and accuracy are necessary here, since oil will inevitably flow through the holes in the case. It is necessary to take measures so as not to pour it over the entire engine and not get dirty yourself, and carefully wipe the remnants of the spilled oil with a rag.
4. In some cases, it is necessary to carefully examine the installation site of the filter. It happens that from below, from the inspection hole, access to it will be much freer and it will be easier to unscrew it.

We take a new filter and study the installation recommendations that are written on the packaging or on the device itself. As a rule, it is recommended to lubricate the rubber gasket on the filter with fresh oil, then screw it into place and tighten it by hand. Do not overdo it: when tightening, do not use much force.

Filling in new oil

At this stage, we adhere to the following algorithm.

1. We move the pan with the old oil to the side, screw the drain plug into place and carefully tighten it with a wrench, applying medium force. This completes the work under the car, you need to wipe the parts that got oil with a rag and put the crankcase protection back.
2. Remove the filler cap, put a funnel in it and fill in new oil. Before this, it is necessary to pull out the oil level dipstick and wipe it with a rag. We continue pouring, guided by the marks on the canister and the level probe. When the level reaches the lower min mark, we stop and wait 15 minutes, allowing all the oil from the engine to drain into the crankcase. Following the operating instructions for the car, we re-check the level and add oil to the max mark or to the middle between these two marks.
3. Thoroughly wipe all places in the engine compartment, which got oil. This is done so that subsequently dust and dirt do not accumulate on them. Screw on the filler cap.
4. We start the engine without increasing its speed, carefully look at the red oil pressure lamp in the system. After a few seconds, it should go out. We warm up the engine at idle for a couple of minutes and drive off the flyover or inspection hole. That's all, the oil change in the engine is over on its own.

Flush replacement

On the topic of flushing the engine with various flushing oils or five-minute chemical top-ups, there are a number of ambiguous opinions that contradict each other. We will outline a number of recommendations on how to properly change the oil with flushing, which will definitely not harm your power unit, but will be beneficial.

1. Although any motor oil contains additives designed to clean the engine of carbon deposits and deposits, flushing the engine once every 3-4 oil changes will only benefit it.
2. In order to guarantee high-quality and proper flushing of the engine and not worry about the condition of your power unit, it is best to do this not with the help of different flushing oils or additives, but with the same oil that you use constantly.
3. The way to do this is to replace the filter, fill in your new oil and drive it for 2 days without high loads. This is necessary in order to prevent the intensive appearance of new soot when flushing the engine. On the third day, the engine oil should be changed again with a mandatory filter change, and the next change interval should be halved. This method of flushing will only benefit your engine.

Despite the apparent ease, the process of changing engine oil has its own characteristics. The oil change instructions above are designed to help understand everything in detail, especially for motorists with little experience.

Vechmobile will work without requiring an oil change.

Clifford Simak. Ring around the sun

Why change it?

Now - a little arithmetic. Let's assume that the manual for the car prescribes to change the oil at least every 15,000 km. At an average speed of 50 km/h, this corresponds to 300 hours. If we take this value as a guideline, then even at a lower average speed, you can change the oil after the same 300 hours, although the mileage will be less.

Actually, there is a fourth way. Many readers argue that one should be guided by the amount burned. Roughly speaking, I burned a thousand liters of fuel - get ready to change the oil.

But this method is only suitable for pedants who have the patience to collect fuel checks and then add up the burned liters.

In addition, it is difficult to compare, for example, a three-cylinder Matiz and a full-size American SUV with a G8 under the hood in a similar way. Therefore, when choosing such an algorithm, you need to start from a certain average consumption for a car, taking into account its class, in order to maintain your own "bookkeeping".

And the last. In some cases, it can serve as an impetus for an immediate oil change. For example, if a frightening drop that looks like tar hangs on the engine dipstick, or, on the contrary, the oil has begun to resemble water in consistency, then there is no time to think. It is clear that for monitoring you will have to climb under the hood from time to time, but ... But we believe that this is not the worst habit.

Photo: depositphotos.com and Driving

Any car owner is well aware that the vehicle will work properly only if it is properly and timely cared for. That is why the owners of motorcycles, scooters, cars are trying to control the technical condition of their "iron friend".

Some motorists do it on their own, others turn to auto mechanics for professional help. Among the issues that are primarily of interest, the algorithm for replacing engine oil is in the lead. In addition to owning a sequence of actions, it is important to know the rules for choosing a motor fluid, as well as take into account the frequency of replacement.

If you need to change the oil in the engine, you will need certain knowledge. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the algorithm of actions in order to properly change the oils in the engine, saving money at a car service station.

Necessary tools and materials

In order for the fluid change procedure to be quick, first collect all the materials and tools, and only then begin the engine oil change procedure.

What is important to consider

The age of the vehicle is one of the main factors that affect the frequency of changing the engine oil. This dependence can be explained by the following reasons:

Replacement frequency

Owners of vehicles under warranty do not think about when to change engine oil. Their only task will be to arrive at the service station in a timely manner, to undergo the next MOT indicated in the service book. Car service mechanics will perform a quick oil change on their own, taking into account all the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Different vehicles have their own engine oil change intervals. It is important to consider certain factors:

Replacement algorithm

Replacement process:

When discussing the need to change the oil in the engine, do not forget that the duration of the engine operation, as well as your safety, directly depends on its quality. If you do not change the fluid and oil filter in a timely manner, the engine may fail, you will have to repair the car at a service station.

Practice shows that, on average, changing the engine fluid and oil filters are needed after 7-8 thousand kilometers as they become clogged and interfere with the operation of the engine. The bypass valve opens, the uncleaned liquid enters the engine, and its wear increases. When replacing the oil filter, it is important to lubricate the rubber bands on the filter with sealant to prevent fluid leakage.