If you’re a DIY-er and a car enthusiast, you probably hate the thought of bringing your vehicle to an auto mechanic for an oil change in Conway, AR. It’s your car—you probably really enjoy caring for it yourself! But do you know the proper way to change your oil, and should you pre-fill the oil filter before installing it? Continue reading to find out and to learn more about changing your oil by yourself.
An age-old question is whether or not you should pre-fill your new oil filter before installing it in your vehicle. The answer? It depends on your personal preference and the type of vehicle you drive. Pre-filling the filter makes the process easier if you have a large, heavy-duty truck, but if you’re just changing the oil in a smaller car, it’s not necessary. In fact, pre-filling the filter can get pretty messy and probably isn’t worth the hassle in the long run.
Instead of pre-filling the filter, we recommend first applying a little motor oil to the gasket and then replacing the filter. The motor oil will prevent the gasket from sticking or causing an oil leak.
What tools do I need to change my oil?
You can’t expect to get very far in the oil changing process if you don’t have the right tools and materials on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done:
- Proper motor oil: Obviously, you’ll need the right type of motor oil for vehicle. All oils aren’t created equal, so be sure to check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle requires a certain type of motor oil (like a full synthetic). If you’re still unsure, consult a mechanic! A professional will point you in the right direction to ensure you use the right motor oil.
- The right filter: The purpose of your oil filter is to trap any contaminants in the oil from reaching your engine and wreaking havoc. For that reason, you can imagine that it’s a pretty integral component of your vehicle! Be sure that you’re using the right filter—otherwise, you could wind up having to deal with some serious issues.
- Funnel: Good luck replacing your oil if you don’t have a funnel! Without one, you’re just going to spill the oil all over the place and make a huge mess on your garage floor or in your driveway.
- Pan or bucket: You can’t just let all of your old motor oil splatter onto the ground once you’ve loosened the filter. That’ll stain your garage floor and is an environmental nightmare. Be sure you have a pan or a bucket underneath your car prior to starting the job.
Does this sound like too big of a task for you? That’s okay—we’re here to help! Bring your vehicle to Riverdale Automotive today for an oil change in Conway, AR. We’ll have your car in and out of the shop in no time at all, and you can rest easy knowing that we’ll use the best type of oil and the correct filter for your vehicle.