For many people in Sioux Falls, it’s still important to change their own engine oil. You may be able to save money this way and some people still enjoy getting underneath their cars and tinkering around. However, with today’s cars and automotive lubricant products, you must be careful and these tips can help you do the job right with few problems.
Make Sure the Oil is Warm
It’s easier to drain oil and more of it will drain if you start the engine and let it run for a few minutes beforehand. This will warm up the oil so it flows freely.
Be Careful with the Drain Plug
Many of today’s engines have aluminum oil pans. This makes it far easier to accidentally strip the threads by over tightening. To avoid this, you should use a torque wrench and tighten to specifications. In addition, don’t use an adjustable wrench to loosen the plug. This is a good way to round off the shoulders and this can create problems.
Don’t Re-use Gaskets or Washers
Many Sioux Falls car owners make the mistake of re-using drain plugs and washers. This is not a good idea. You can visit your automotive lubricant supplier and buy new plugs and washers for a small amount of money. Many engine drain plugs contain crush washers, made to seal against leaks and they are a “one time shot” part. If you use them again, they will not work properly and may cause you to tighten the drain plug too much, creating a major disaster.
Use the Best Possible Automotive Lubricant
Seasons in Sioux Falls can be very hot and very cold and these extremes can be hard on engine oil. For the best possible results, only use trusted brand lubricants and make sure you buy the oil type recommended by the engine manufacturer.
