Common Oil Change Mistakes to Avoid

Your car oil needs to be changed regularly to avoid engine problems. Unfortunately, many people make a number of mistakes while changing their oil, which can lead to expensive problems down the road.

Don’t Make These Oil Change Mistakes

Your car will operate much more reliably if you oil is changed properly. Here are some common mistakes that you will need to avoid.

Neglecting to Read Your Owner’s Manual

You will want to carefully read your owner’s manual to see what type of oil you should use. Some cars require synthetic oil, so you will need to make sure that is used to ensure the longevity of your vehicle. However, other vehicles don’t need synthetic, so you may be wasting your money on it.

Not Knowing What Oil Was Used

You have probably heard people tell you that it’s okay to only change your oil once every 7,000 miles. The argument is that people can wait longer to change their oil, because newer synthetic oil lasts much longer. However, many mechanics still use semi-synthetic or regular oil, so your car may still need to be changed every 3,000-5,000 miles. Find out what oil was used so that you can schedule your oil changes properly. 

Failing to Keep Track of Oil Changes

You will need to make sure that your oil changes are carefully recorded. You can easily lose track and go too long without changing them, which can cause contaminants to develop and lead to engine damage.

Overtightening the Filter

You will need to make sure that the filter and drain nut are tight after your oil has been changed. However, they can both crack if they are tightened too much, which can lead to oil leaks down the road. The damage can also be costly to repair, so make sure the right amount of force is applied.

You should be able to tighten them with a single hand. You generally won’t need to apply more than 25 pounds of force to get the filter or drain nut tightened.

Forgetting to Replace the Oil Drain Plug

The oil drain plug has a soft washer to seal the oil in. It will be crushed after it is first tightened, which can cause your oil to leak. It is important to make sure that it is replaced after your oil is changed. You should be able to find one at your local auto shop. Just make sure that it is the right fit for your vehicle.