When filling with new engine oil, perhaps the most important thing to remember is not to spill any of the oil, and to get every drop of it into the engine. The greatest help in carrying out this operation is the use of a suitable funnel.
- Clean the oil drain plug and its surroundings. Replace the washer.
- Screw back the oil drain plug before filling the engine with new oil
- Once that’s done, and the new oil filter is in place too, it’s time to fill the engine with new engine oil.
- Place the funnel in the oil filler opening.
- Fill the engine with the required amount of engine oil. It is advisable to work slowly and carefully to avoid oil spillage.
- Replace the oil cap.
Starting and checking the engine
- When this is done, start the engine. Wait until the oil pressure indicator light on the instrument panel ( usually red or yellow ) goes out. This means the oil filter is full of new oil and the oil pressure is normal. Stop the engine. Wait a quarter of an hour and check the oil level. Top up if necessary.
- Check the tightness of the oil filter. Tighten if necessary.
- Start the engine again, then run the engine at a slightly higher speed. Then turn the engine off and check the tightness of both the oil drain plug and the oil filter.
- If all was well, let’s go for a short test drive.
- Then check the tightness again, tightening carefully if necessary.
- Check the oil level according to the manufacturer’s instructions or every 1000 kilometres, but at the latest every month.