Every motorist should understand the basic nuances of car servicing, because their ignorance can lead to serious financial expenses. Riewes together with the expert decided to figure out how to properly change the oil in the car engine.

One of the most important procedures, which are carried out at maintenance of the automobile, is the change of engine oil. Its main task is to prevent wear and tear on the rubbing parts of the engine. Constant friction, high temperatures, soot and fuel fouling, as well as metal corrosion, which is formed when working in the open air, contribute to wear, scuffing, cracking and similar problems. This is why engine oil is not just a consumable, but an important part of engine design - because without it the engine would not last a day.

During the engine operation the oil gradually ages: it is oxidized, additives are spent, various kinds of impurities are accumulated. Consequently, the oil performs all of the above functions less and less well, and the resulting combustion products accumulate inside the engine and clog oil passages, which as a result may also lead to engine overhaul.

In today's realities, the increasing cost of work being done, the price of reputable and proven oils are forcing drivers to save money. But it is not always necessary to chase the minimum price in an untested store, because there are so many counterfeit products on the market. In this case, it is better to give preference to a less advertised oil, which is much less likely to be counterfeited. But to answer the question, how many kilometers is necessary to change oil, it is necessary to take into account a lot of factors.

How many kilometers should I change the oil in the engine?

The overwhelming majority of motorists, who are not under warranty at official dealers, practice changing oil every 10-15 thousand kilometers. And not everyone is aware of the necessity of changing it at least once a year. The manufacturer provides detailed information in the service book of the car, and the mileage is used as a guide. When answering the question how often to change the oil in the engine, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions of the vehicle, in fact the most important indicator is the engine runtime in engine hours. The lubricating properties of the oil are also influenced by the quality of the fuel. When driving in the city it is recommended to reduce the period between the service oil changes to 5-7 thousand kilometers.

How to check the engine oil level

A special dipstick under the hood is used to check the oil level in a car engine. It is necessary to check the oil level "when the car is cold", when it has been stationary for some time and all oil has drained into the crankcase. You need to take out the dipstick, wipe it with a clean rag or lint-free cloth to remove traces of oil, and then put it back in. Pull it out again and make sure that the lubricant level is between the minimum and maximum marks, closer to the last. On some models, the necessary information is displayed on the onboard computer. Exact information about this procedure can easily be found in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in the car engine

First of all, you need to prepare a container deep enough to drain the used oil, a tool to remove the drain plug and the oil filter. The instructions are suitable for self-drainage without the use of drainage equipment.

• Turn off the engine. Allow it to cool down for a while and let the oil drain as much as possible into the oil sump.
• Open the hood. 
• Open the oil filler plug. Cover with a clean rag to keep dust and dirt out of the engine. If necessary, wipe off dirt from the throat.
• Place a container to catch the used oil under the oil sump drain hole and use a wrench to unscrew the cap nut. Be careful - at first the oil jet can be powerful, so hold the container at an appropriate angle.
• While the oil is flowing, use a special puller, a large adjustable wrench, or a chain to remove the oil filter (usually by turning counterclockwise) and make sure there is no dust or dirt where it is installed. 
• Install a new oil filter.
• After the used oil has been completely drained, close the oil sump plug.
• Pour in the factory-set amount of new oil.
• Wait a few minutes and check the level with the dipstick. If necessary, add more oil.
•  Start the car, wait till the engine warms up to working temperature.
• After 30-100 km run check the oil level taking into account step 1.