DON'T Make These Common Oil Change Mistakes With Your Car!!, by Budget Mechanic on YouTube. 6 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground and let the engine cool for at least 10 minutes. The oil needs time to drain back into the sump for an accurate reading.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with the rag, push it fully back in, then pull it out again and look at the level.
Find the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. If the level sits at or below minimum, the car needs topping up.
Unscrew the oil filler cap on top of the engine. It is usually marked with an oil can symbol and sits on the rocker cover.
Push a funnel into the filler neck so oil goes in cleanly and does not spill onto hot engine parts.
Pour in a small amount, roughly half a litre, then wait a minute and check the dipstick again. Add in small steps, not one big glug.
Stop when the level sits just under the maximum mark. Never fill past maximum, because overfilling can foam the oil and damage seals.
Refit the filler cap firmly and wipe up any spills. Run the engine for a minute, switch it off, wait, then recheck the level.
Tips and common mistakes
Overfilling is worse than running slightly low, so add less than you think and recheck before adding more.
Use the oil grade and specification in your handbook, not whatever is cheapest on the shelf.
A crushed or missing washer on the sump plug is a common cause of slow leaks, so replace it at the next oil change.
Do not overtighten the sump plug or filler cap, since stripped threads are an expensive mistake.
Questions
How much oil do I add when the dipstick reads at minimum?
The gap between the minimum and maximum marks is usually about half a litre to one litre. Add half a litre, wait a minute, then recheck before adding more.
Can I mix different oil brands or grades?
Topping up with another brand is fine if it meets the same specification as your handbook states. Avoid mixing different grades where you can.
What happens if I overfill the engine?
A little over the maximum is usually harmless, but a large overfill can make the oil foam and push past seals. If you overshoot badly, drain some out.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
