Everyone will tell you motor oil is an engine’s best friend and here’s why. Your motor oil’s main job is to stop wear and friction in your engine. This is caused when the various metal engine parts grind together and heat up.

As motor oil flows around your engine it lubricates the metal surfaces, reducing friction and dispersing heat. Motor oil also helps to keep your engine clean and free from build-ups by holding all the by products of combustion (like silica and acids) in suspension. And for the hat trick, motor oil reduces rust and corrosion by limiting your engine’s exposure to oxygen.

Changing Your Oil

Oil change

Changing your oil is one of the most important things you'll ever do for your engine. Going DIY not only saves dollars, its also very satisfying if you enjoy getting a little grease under your fingernails. And it's actually a lot easier than you think with our safe step-by-step guide.

 

What's the big deal about changing my oil?

Like anything, motor oil has a limited shelf life and starts to break down after a period of use, making it less efficient in lubricating and cooling engine parts.

There are two key reasons for this. Firstly, the additives that protect your engine against corrosion, oxidisation and engine wear get used up as they do their job. And secondly, contaminants like soot, carbon and acids build up and start to affect the critical properties of your oil, such as viscosity.

 

How often should I change my oil?

Oil thats not changed regularly can do serious damage to your engine and compromise the safety of your vehicle. This is why manufacturers recommend that you change your oil regularly – either after a specified period of time or after a certain distance. Most owner manuals have two recommendations for oil changes – standard and severe – which are based on the kind of conditions you drive in.

 

Your step-by-step guide to changing oil

The first thing to do is get together everything you need to get the job done safely and well. Here's a checklist:

Approximately 5 litres of Penrite motor oil
Check your owner's manual for correct SAE viscosity, API or ACEA performance and quantity.

A drop sheet

A new oil filter
Again your owner's manual will tell you the type and size you need.

A drain plug socket wrench or open-end wrench (exact size) and an oil filter wrench.

A large drain pan, at least double the size of your sump.

A rag, hand cleaning solution and/or disposable latex gloves.

A funnel

 

Step 1 - Choose Your Oil

Your owner's manual will give you information on what kind of oil you need for both normal and severe driving conditions. It might surprise you to know that a lot of driving actually falls into the severe category. Extreme temperatures, frequent short trips, stop-start traffic and hauling or towing all put extra strain on your engine and mean you need an oil that is suitable for severe driving conditions, as well as more regular oil changes.

A good guide is to change your motor oil and oil filter every 5,000 kilometres or every six months, whichever comes first. Doing this will give better engine protection and prolong your engine’s life. Make sure you check your owner's manual for special conditions and do not exceed warranty recommendations.

Need some expert advice? Call Penrite’s Technical Services Helpline during business hours on 1800 110 080.

 

Step 2 - Prepare safely

Always put your safety first. Before you even think about getting under your vehicle, read the safety information in your manual. Choose level ground and start by laying a drop sheet to avoid permanent staining.

Put your vehicle in first gear if you have a manual transmission or park if you have an automatic transmission and you're good to go.

 

Step 3 - Drain the old oil

 

Step 4 - Remove the Oil Filter

Next, loosen the oil filter by turning it anti-clockwise using a filter wrench. Carefully ease it away from the engine and tip the contents into the drain pan.

 

Step 5 - Replace the oil filter

Using a rag, wipe in and around the filter seal on the engine. Take a new filter and apply a light film of oil (new or used) to the circular edge of the filter itself (aka the gasket).

Fill the new filter with new engine oil and screw it onto the threaded oil line in a clockwise direction. Tighten the filter by hand.

Clean the oil plug and drain set and if necessary replace the plug basket or seal. Screw the plug in by hand and finish by tightening it with a wrench, but don't overtighten.

 

Step 6 - Add clean oil

Unscrew the cap on top of your engine (the one that says "oil"!) and fill her up with the recommended amount of oil, checking the level with the dipstick. Replace the cap and wipe off excess oil.

Now it's time to test your handiwork. The oil light should go out as soon as the engine is switched on. Run it for several minutes, then switch it off and use the dipstick again to check you have the proper oil level. Finally, have a quick check under the vehicle for leaks.

Don't forget to keep a written record of the mileage and date for each oil change, so you can keep track of when the next oil change is due.

 

Step 7 - Dispose of used oil safely

Remember that used oil from your vehicle is highly toxic and proper disposal is vital to protect our environment. Never pour used oil into sewers, drains or the ground, or put it in rubbish bins. In most cases this is illegal and carries heavy penalties.

The good news is that used oil can be recycled, conserving the earth's precious resources and protecting our water and soil from contamination. Transfer your oil to a sealed container and contact your local council or shire to find out where your nearest used oil collection facility is located.

In a nutshell, motor oils are made up of two ingredients: base stocks (conventional or synthetic) and additives.

Conventional base stocks are made from naturally occurring crude oil pumped from the earth and processed in an oil refinery.

Not surprisingly, synthetic base stocks are developed in a lab. They are produced from relatively pure chemicals and are engineered with specific characteristics in mind e.g. better performance in extreme temperatures.

Additives are what you might call the active ingredients your motor oil. Combined with base stocks they provide all sorts of functions, from cleaning and cooling your engine to preventing rust and protecting against extreme pressure.

A bit like the nutrients in soil, these additives need to be replenished regularly – which is one of the reasons why oil changes are so important for your engine.

All lubes fall into one of three categories: liquid (oil), semi-liquid (grease) and solid (graphite). And all lubes (conventional and synthetic) contain chemical additives which enhance their ability to cool and protect your engine.

The key difference between conventional and synthetic oil is that synthetics are created from purer chemicals and combined with a greater number of more technically sophisticated additives. This means that synthetics can be ‘engineered’ to perform more effectively than conventional oils in certain conditions.

A major performance advantage of synthetics is their ability to provide optimum lube at extreme temperatures. They remain stable at very high temperatures (when most conventional oils start to break down) and remain fluid at very low temperatures (when conventional oils start to thicken). This reduces wear and tear and helps to maintain a cleaner, more efficient engine.

Synthetics also last longer because they break down more slowly than conventional oils – but remember, just like conventional oils, regular oil changes are essential to remove contaminants.

If you can capitalise on the benefits – for example if you drive in extreme conditions or have a high performance car – synthetics can be the way to go. Although they’re more expensive, they can work out better value in the longer term. You might also consider a blend – a more cost-effective mix of synthetic and conventional oils.

The bottom line is that each car is different and you need to consider a range of factors including manufacturer’s recommendations, climate conditions and, last but not least, affordability. That’s why we recommend using our Oil Selector to find the perfect oil fit for your car.

Did you know it only takes one litre of oil to pollute one million litres of water? And when you consider a single oil change produces about 4 to 5 litres of used oil, you can see the consequences could be pretty major. Disposed of in the wrong way, motor oil is dangerous to our environment and our health. But recycling helps to protect the environment and conserve the earth’s dwindling resources.

In most cases it is illegal to dump used motor oil in garbage bins, down kitchen sinks and storm drains, into sewers and rivers or on the ground.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to recycle your used oil, protecting our environment and saving precious natural resources into the bargain.

Used oil, or 'sump oil' can be cleaned and re-used again and again. It can come back to life as industrial burner fuel or hydraulic oil or it can be re-refined back into new lubricating oil.

These days most councils and shires have a local used oil collection facility where you can take smaller quantities of used oil for recycling. Some may also accept oily rags, oil filters and oil containers.

If you run a small company, like a workshop or service station, then you may need to contact a used oil collector to come and remove your used oil. Many collectors will do this free of charge.

For more information on recycling your used motor oil safely and responsibly, contact your local council or visit their website.

The Australian Government website also has useful information about recycling used oil: http://www.oilrecycling.gov.au/