How a Battery Functions

Engine Oil Change Introduction

The engine oil inspection and replacement procedures are almost the same on all vehicles.

CAUTION:

Whenever oil is spilled onto the floor, wipe it up immediately. A slippery floor can cause serious accidents.

WARNING:

Prolonged and repeated contact with engine oil can cause serious skin disorders including dermatitis and cancer. Avoid exposing your skin directly to oil, and wash thoroughly after any contact.

Engine Oil Inspection

Precautions for Engine Oil inspection:

• Place a car on a level ground.
• Oil level inspection must be performed a few minutes or longer after the engine is stopped. This interval allows oil in the engine to return to the oil pan.
• To ensure accuracy, wipe all oil off the dipstick before checking the oil level.
• When checking the oil level, insert the oil dipstick fully into the guide tube.

If you are instructed to top up an engine’s oil but do not know the brand and SAE/API ratings of the oil in the engine. The mixing of different oil brands and/ or oils with different SAE/API ratings is not recommended.

When checking an engine’s oil level, also check the condition of the oil. Put a drop of oil from the dipstick onto a paper towel, then observe it carefully. If the oil appears contaminated, milky, or foamy, it has lost its original properties. Note the following points:

Engine Oil Contamination

If engine oil becomes excessively contaminated with soot, metal particles, or other substances, it appears black rather than opaque.

Engine Oil Milky Appearance

Engine oil appears milky when engine coolant leaks into it.

Engine Oil Foaminess

If engine oil becomes foamy when heated and agitated, it has lost its lubricating

Engine Oil Replacement

Precautions for Engine Oil replacement:

• Take care to put the correct quantity of oil into the engine. The correct quantity (taking the condition of the engine into account) is shown in the shop manual. Too little or too much oil has an adverse effect on the engine.
• Be sure to select the correct type of oil in accordance with the oil viscosity chart.
• Warm up the engine before draining the oil. Cold oil takes longer to drain.
• To drain the oil quickly, remove the drain bolt then remove the oil filler cap on the cylinder head.
• Inspect the drain bolt. If metal particles are stuck to the drain bolt, there may be a serious problem in the engine.
• Before refitting the drain bolt, wipe clean the drain bolt and the area around the drain hole.
• Fit a new washer on the oil pan drain bolt. Check whether the old washer is stuck to the drain hole.
• Pour oil into the engine using an oil jug, and take care to avoid spillage.
• After replacing the engine oil, check for oil leakage from the drain bolt in accordance with the shop manual.