6 COMMON OIL-CHANGING MISTAKES TO AVOID
Changing engine oil might seem like a simple task, but are you sure you're doing it correctly? Let's discuss the most common mistakes people make when changing their oil.
COMMON MISTAKES
NOT PUTTING THE OIL IN THE NEW FILTER
The first mistake is not putting oil inside the new filter. When replacing the oil filter, always make sure to fill it up with some oil. This will reduce the amount of time your engine will run without oil pressure. This helps protect engine components from wear and tear, reducing the risk of damage caused by insufficient lubrication.
NOT WARMING UP THE ENGINE
The next mistake is not warming up your engine before draining the old oil. When oil is cold, it thickens. Thicker oil drains more slowly and might not remove all the residue. By warming up your engine to operating temperature, you’ll ensure that the oil comes out faster and more thoroughly.
NOT APPLYING OIL ON TOP OF THE FILTER
The third mistake you could be making is not lubricating the gasket of the new oil filter. When you rotate the filter onto the engine, the gasket between the filter and the engine can create friction, which might lead to tearing. A tear in the gasket can result in oil leaking from the engine. That's why it’s crucial to always lubricate the gasket before installing the oil filter.
ADDING TOO MUCH
The fourth mistake you could be making is adding too much oil. Excess oil can increase pressure within the crankcase, leading to potential leaks. Also, when you overfill the engine, it could cause the oil to start foaming. When this happens, oil won’t be able to lubricate the engine parts as efficiently anymore.
ADDING TOO LITTLE
The next mistake you could be making is not adding enough engine oil. When you add too little engine oil, all the moving parts in the engine won’t be properly lubricated, leading to increased friction. This wears things down faster, leading to damage.
OVERTIGHTENING THE FILTER
The last mistake is tightening the filter too much. It’s best to tighten the filter by hand instead of using any kind of wrenches. Typically, most filters should be tightened by about three-quarters of a turn once the gasket touches the engine. If you overtighten the filter, the next time you change the oil, it will be more of a struggle to take off.
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