Likely the best maintenance practice to keep up with on your vehicle is changing the oil. Making sure that your vehicle gets routine oil checks is very important. As your vehicle uses the oil in its engine, the quality of the oil will decrease. Even when you add more oil to top off, the oil isn’t as clean or as good as fresh oil.
It is important to change your oil regularly. With new models, you often only have to change your oil twice or so a year. With some of the older vehicle models, two or three or even more oil changes a year may be necessary. Many people suggest an oil change every 5,000 miles. If your vehicle burns oil or goes through oil faster than an average vehicle, it is important that you change your oil completely more regularly.
Changing your oil is not difficult, and can be done at home. There are a few materials that you need, but most of these can be found around the house, or at the Haldeman Ford Parts Center!
New oil
New oil filter
Enough cardboard to cover ground underneath your vehicle’s engine
Pair of car ramps
Proper sized Wrench or socket
Large water-tight container to catch oil
Old milk jugs for used oil
Gloves
Rags
Once you have everything, the process is pretty simple. You have to drive your vehicle up on the ramps, place it in park, and make sure the parking break is engaged. It’s important if your vehicle is cold to run it for a few minutes. Don’t do this for too long, as you don’t want to burn yourself.
Set up the cardboard under the vehicle’s engine. Once you have found the oil pan, place your large container under the oil plug. You can remove this plug with the wrench or socket. Make sure you are wearing old clothes, as you will likely get oil on you. It will take a few minutes, but your oil will drain out completely into the container.
Now, remove your old oil filter. Be careful, as there will be oil within the filter. After you have removed the old oil and filter, you can put the new oil filter on. Use your finger to put new oil around the gasket ring on the new filter. Put the new filter on, and tighten with your hands.
Once you replace the oil plug, you can put the new oil into your engine. Go slowly, and measure with your dipstick regularly. Your owner’s manual should instruct you on how much oil you need. Once you get the level right, you should run your vehicle for a few minutes, and then check the oil level again. Once you have it where it’s supposed to be, the oil change is complete. All that you need to do after this is place the used oil into the milk gallons for storage until you can dispose it at a proper facility.
Remember, if you don't have a garage, your schedule is too busy, or if you don’t feel comfortable change your oil yourself, feel free to call our service team!