How to change oil in a car

Oil is the lifeblood of your car, helping it run smoothly and making sure it works as it should. It would have been changed during your last service, but what if your car oil needs that TLC more often? If you know your way around cars, it’s likely you may already do this yourself, but for those who are less sure—at mycar we’ve got your back either way!

With so many different types of oil it can be hard to know where to start, and what it all means. So to make the process easier, we’ve put together all you need to know about oil changes, and how you can keep your car purring like a kitten!

Types of DIY oil changes

There are a few different oil changes your car will benefit from - transmission, gearbox, and engine oil - and they all have different properties and roles in your car.

Gearbox oil, or manual transmission fluid, protects your car’s gears and bearings, and is typically used in manual vehicles. It’s much thicker than engine oil as it needs to stay on the gears as they connect and rotate to make sure they don’t get damaged.

Engine oil not only works to lubricate the moving parts in your engine, but also to cool them. By minimising friction between the engine parts, it helps the components last longer—so it’s a pretty important part of your engine’s maintenance!

The importance of an engine oil change

If you’re wondering when you need to change engine oil in your car, it should be part of every service. You’ll need to make sure it’s topped up between these though, so keep an eye on it by checking the dipstick regularly.

If the oil gets dirty or runs low, your car could be at risk of damage like the wearing down of metal parts, heating up components, and sludge buildup that blocks your engine. If the oil runs out completely, it could end in total engine seizure—a bit scary but all the more reason to ensure your car is regularly serviced.

How to change engine oil

Tools: jack, wheel blocks, hex socket, pan to collect the old oil, funnel, ratchet, a clean rag, gloves, and protective eyewear. Engine oil and a new oil filter if you’re replacing this too (it’s a good idea).

1. To make the process quicker, warm up the oil by running your car for a few minutes. No more than this though as you don’t want the oil to get dangerously hot.

2. Jack up the front of your car and put blocks behind the rear wheels.

3. Look in your owner’s manual to find out where the sump plug is in your vehicle, and remove it using a hex socket, making sure the oil pan is underneath.

4. Wait for it to drain, which should take 5-10 minutes.

5. When it’s all drained out, replace the plug and fit on a new washer, tightening it all with the hex socket.

6. Using your ratchet, remove the old oil filter carefully (it’s full of oil), and grab a new one.

7. Remove the plastic on the new filter, rub oil around the seal, and screw it on.

8. Fill up the oil tank from the top of the engine bay by unscrewing the cap and using your funnel.

9. Replace the cap and start the car to check that everything’s working properly. If the oil light doesn’t go off fairly quickly, stop the car immediately.

10. If it goes off, run the car for around 30 seconds and check for leaks around the filter and sump plug.

11. If all looks good, lower your car, clean the dipstick and check that the oil’s full. Fill it up a bit more if need be and you’re good to go!

Is a gearbox oil change easy?

A gearbox oil change is relatively straightforward; the car needs to be jacked up completely with all four wheels off the ground. If you don’t have the equipment for this, or would feel better leaving it to the professionals with the space and know-how, it’s easy to take it to your nearest mycar for a hassle-free oil change.

How to change gearbox oil

Tools: Safety goggles, gloves, a jack, 4 jack stands, lint-free rags, brake cleaner, pan to catch the oil, funnel, length of hose that fits over the funnel, ratchet and allen keys that fit the bolts on your transmission, gearbox oil.

1. Raise your car using your jack, inserting the jack stands and ensuring it’s completely level. This is important to get the right amount of gear oil into the gearbox.

2. Look underneath your car for the transmission and locate the bolt for the filler cap which is on the side of the unit.

3. Check with your ratchet that this isn’t rusted on and is able to be removed, but leave it closed for the time being.

4. With the oil pan underneath, remove the drain bolt at the bottom of the transmission and let the fluid drain.

5. Open up the filler cap.

6. Check the drain bolt for debris, and if there aren’t any give it a wipe to get the old fluid off and screw it back on.

7. Place the funnel on the hose, and direct the hose from the top of the engine, securing it into the filler cap.

8. Pour the new oil into the funnel with the amount of gear oil specified in your owner’s manual.

9. Remove the hose and let any excess fluid drain out.

10. Bolt the filler cap back on with your ratchet.

Selecting the correct engine oil

Using a trusted and the correct oil for your engine and gearbox is crucial to ensuring your car is in tip-top condition. That’s why we recommend Shell Helix Ultra. Powered by Pureplus Technology to deliver ultimate performance and protection by keeping your engine clean, extend engine life and reduces wear while improving fuel economy. Shell Helix is also the oil of choice for leading car manufacturers like Ferrari and Maserati, and it’s trusted by experts worldwide, giving you the ultimate driving experience.

Need a hand with your oil change?

So all in all, you can absolutely do your own oil changes, if you feel confident around cars and have the know-how. Otherwise, it’s safest to book in with your local mechanic, who has all the right tools and knowledge to have your car running smoothly.

If you’d like a quick and easy oil change from the experts that know cars, head to your local mycar. We have over 275 stores Australia-wide, so there’s always one close by!

Call your friendly mycar technicians today on 13 13 28.