Changing the oil filter with your own hands – a simple step to confidence on the road!

 

Changing the oil in the car is a procedure that every car owner faces. And if the oil itself can be changed without special skills, then changing the oil filter can cause some difficulties.

In this article, we will present you a step-by-step guide to changing the oil filter with your own hands, which will allow you to save time and money, as well as gain valuable experience in self-service of your car.

UK Car Service Market

Metric	Value
Market Size	£13.2 billion (2023)
2028 Forecast	£15.1 billion
CAGR (2018-2023)	2.1%
CAGR Forecast (2023-2028)	1.7%
Popular Oil Brands	Castrol, Comma, Mobil, Shell, Halfords
Popular Filter Brands	Bosch, Mann Filter, Wix, Purflux, Blue Print
Trends	Growing competition, lower prices, online services, DIY
Market Drivers	Economic conditions, oil prices, new technologies, environmental regulations
Forecast	Market to grow over the next five years

 

Preparing for work

Before you start changing the oil filter, you need to prepare thoroughly.

Tools and materials:

• When choosing a new filter, be sure to consider the model of your vehicle. You can find information on a suitable filter in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or in specialized online stores.
• Depending on the type of filter, you may need a wrench or a strap wrench.
• Prepare a container with a volume of at least 5 liters.
• This is used for pouring new oil into the engine.
• Protect your hands and eyes from hot oil.
• Will be needed to wipe your hands and engine parts from oil.

Supplemental Materials:

1. New engine oil: Choose the oil recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
2. Drain plug gasket: In some cases, the drain plug gasket may need to be replaced.

Image of an oil filter mount provided by sparepartstore24.co.uk

 

Changing the oil filter

5. Start the engine and allow it to run for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the oil to become more fluid and make it easier to drain.
6. Jack up the vehicle or drive it to an overpass. Allow easy access to the crankcase oil pan drain hole and oil filter.
7. Place a container under the drain hole and unscrew the drain plug with a wrench. Be careful, the oil may be hot. Allow the oil to drain completely into a container.
8. Using the oil filter wrench, loosen and unscrew the old filter. Be prepared that a small amount of oil may spill out of the filter.
9. Apply some new oil to the o-ring of the new filter. This will make it easier to install and ensure a tight connection.
10. Screw the new filter in by hand as far as it will go. Do not use a wrench to tighten the filter as this may damage the filter.
11. Place the funnel in the engine filler hole and pour in the new oil according to the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Do not overfill the oil!
12. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check for leaks at the filter and drain plug connections.
13. Do not pour used oil down the drain or onto the ground. Dispose of it at a used oil collection point.
14. Record the vehicle mileage and the date of oil and filter change in the service book.

Advantages of changing the oil filter yourself

1. Changing the oil filter with your own hands will allow you to significantly save on car service.
2. You will gain valuable experience in self-service of your car.
3. You will be sure that your car uses quality oil and filter.

In today’s world of ever-increasing service costs, being able to maintain your car yourself is becoming an invaluable skill. Changing the oil filter is a simple procedure that can be done by anyone without the need of car services.

In this article, we have provided you with a step-by-step guide to changing the oil filter with your own hands. Following our instructions, you can save money, gain valuable experience and be sure that your car uses quality oil and filter.

Remember that self-service is not only about saving money, but also about taking care of your car.