Briefly about changing the oil in the car. Find out the most important information about this life-giving motor fluid!

The role of engine oil in a car

Engine oil plays a very important role in your vehicle. It is he who is responsible for lubricating all the most important moving parts in the engine, which reduces friction. At the same time, it is a coolant that appears inside the drive unit during operation. Engine oil absorbs heat and dissipates it, thereby protecting the engine from overheating and premature wear. Another important function of engine oil is to absorb contaminants that can interfere with engine performance. If the amount of this fluid is insufficient or missing, it may seize or overheat. This allows the engine to run smoothly.

Changing the oil in a car - what engine oils can I buy? 

If you're waiting for an oil change in your car, it's worth checking out which products of this type are on the market. You can choose from motor oils:

• mineral;
• semi-synthetics;
• synthetic.

Manufacturers of individual working fluids of this type note their viscosity under specific temperature conditions. You should always choose an oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, both in terms of quality and viscosity. Most new cars use synthetic motor oils.  

Changing engine oil - when is it recommended and when is it necessary?

Engine oil gradually loses its original properties. It must be refueled and completely replaced periodically. Wondering when an oil change is an absolute must?

This is determined by the vehicle manufacturer. Modern cars today don't require as frequent oil changes as cars made in the 90s and earlier. The frequency of this action should depend on your driving style and the conditions in which you operate the vehicle. With long life oils, you may not need to change the oil again and it will retain its properties.

Mechanics suggest that if the engine has no structural defects, the oil should be changed on average every 10-15 thousand km. km or only once a year. In vehicles with LPG, it is recommended to change the engine oil at least every 10 km. km. In autogas engines, the temperature in the combustion chambers is higher than in the case of gasoline engines.

You should definitely add oil if you see a low oil pressure warning light on the dashboard while driving.

How often to change engine oil?

It can be assumed that, depending on the mode of use of the car, engine oil should be changed:

• every 5 thousand km - in the case of engines used to the limit, for example, for cars participating in a rally;
• every 8-10 thousand km - in the case of engines used rather for short distances, in the city;
• every 10-15 thousand km - with engines used as standard;
• every 20 thousand km - for cars operated mainly on long trips, with long-term operation of the power unit without shutting down.

Step-by-step instructions for self-changing engine oil

Changing the engine oil step by step is not a difficult task, which is why many drivers decide to do it themselves. We will show you how to do it efficiently and quickly! To manually change the oil in your vehicle: 

1. put the car on a flat surface - preferably in a garage with a pit, on a lift or a special ramp, then turn on the handbrake;
2. prepare personal protective equipment - gloves, goggles and protective clothing, as well as a container for draining used oil;
3. just before changing the oil, warm up the engine so that the liquid flows out more easily, and when changing the oil, be sure to turn off the engine;
4. place the prepared container under the oil pan near the drain plug and unscrew the drain plug;
5. wait until all the used oil has drained from the engine, then place a container under the filter and replace it;
6. clean the place of the old filter, for example, with a cotton cloth. Lubricate the rubber gasket in the new filter with new oil;
7. tighten the filter until you feel resistance;
8. clean the plug and drain and screw in the screw;
9. pour fresh oil into the oil pan, but at first only up to about ¾ of the required volume;
10. let the oil circulate in the engine and check the level with the dipstick. If everything is in order, close the filler cap and let the engine idle for 10 minutes;
11. stop the engine, wait 5 minutes and check the oil level again. If it is lower than recommended, top up and check for leaks around the drain plug.

Finally, write down the oil change date along with the vehicle's current mileage and oil type. All you have to do is dispose of the old oil, which is toxic. Take it to the recycling plant or the nearest garage. 

How long does it take to change the oil in a car? 

For people who know how to do it, it should not take more than an hour, including all the preparation.. If you are changing the oil in your car for the first time, then this time may be even longer.

If you do not want to do it yourself, trust the experts. AT In a car repair shop, you can count on the fact that changing the engine oil in a car will take about several tens of minutes.

What to replace when changing oil?

An oil change should also include the installation of a new filter., the cost of which fluctuates around several tens of zlotys. Changing the oil and filters along with gaskets will ensure perfect tightness of the entire system. This ensures that the engine lubrication system operates efficiently and there are no leaks that cause engine oil loss and have a negative impact on the environment.

Changing the oil filter is necessary because this element is responsible for limiting the amount of contaminants that can enter the engine from the environment along with the intake air. The air filter is not able to capture all the contaminants from the atmosphere, so they still get inside the drive. Here, however, another filter should stop them - this time an oil filter, which is more sensitive.

Some mechanics also recommend installing new gaskets and washers under the drain plug at every oil change.