Motor oil plays a vital role in your vehicle’s engine. Without it to lubricate, clean and cool an engine can very quickly become a worthless lump of metal. This is one reason you should regularly check the volume of oil by using a dipstick. Unfortunately, topping up the oil level can only take you and the engine so far. Sooner or later you’ll have to change the oil completely. Exactly when you should make the change depends on your car. Usually the manufacturer will quote the number of miles the engine is good for between changes. This information is in the owner’s handbook.
It is possible to change the motor oil yourself if you have the right equipment. You’ll need ramp to raise the car, new oil (of the correct grade and an oil drain pan to catch the oil in as it pours out of the pan. Because the filter must be changed at the same time you will also need an oil filter wrench. As far as car mechanics go it’s one of the most straight forward jobs to perform.
But if changing oil doesn’t appeal to you, you can always use an engine oil extractor. These units are designed for the reluctant mechanic who appreciates their motor oil needs changing and is enthusiastic enough (or hard up enough) to do it themselves but doesn’t want to go fishing around under the car unscrewing things that might not go back together again.
By pushing a long plastic pipe into the oil sump (down through the dipstick shaft) and giving a few pumps of a handle to create a vacuum the oil can be sucked out of the sump. It can take two of three goes to get it all out and you still have to change the filter manually but it’s a good option for the mechanically challenged. The unit can also be used to suck out liquids other places too.
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