Car Maintenance At Home Made Easy

Auto repairs are costly. In most cases though, the cost of labor is what makes these repairs more expensive. But do not worry, you can do some basic car maintenance on your own even if you are not an expert mechanic.

Let us focus today on how to change oil and change the coolant in your car.

How to Change Oil

• Use a jack stand to raise the front are of your car.

 

• If your car is secured properly, start draining the engine oil. Open the oil filter cap carefully. You can place a pan under the drain plug.

 

• After draining most of the oil, proceed to removing the oil filter. Replace it with a new OEM system. Check if all of the oil has been drained before reinstalling the drain plug.

 

• There are some filters available that are equipped with a drain plug washer. If not, you can purchase one separately.

 

• When pouring the new oil, fill in about half a quart less of the recommended amount. This is to help things get going. Run your car engine briefly. After that, check the level of the engine oil.

 

• Lastly, turn off your engine. Inspect the top and dipstick off the engine oil. Typically, a full quart of oil will go from the low to full mark on the dipstick.

How to Change Coolant

• Start by putting a catch pan below the coolant reservoir. Open the lid and remove the hose from the radiator to allow the coolant out of the engine block.

 

• Look for a block plug as this will give you access to the remaining coolant in the engine. If you cannot find one, you can use one of the coolant hoses passing through the engine block.

 

• Next, connect the hoses again so you can fill up the coolant system once more. Fill the coolant by opening the bleed screw to allow the air out as your fill the reservoir. If you see some coolant filling over, close the screw.

 

• After that, turn on the heat of your vehicle and run your car. At the same time, add some coolant until the system becomes full. The heat helps prevent air pockets to form and allow the coolant to circulate through the core of the heater.

 

• Shut off your engine once the level is correct. Let the engine cool down before using your car again.

These are easy ways to change your oil and coolant at home and hopefully save some money on labor cost. If you want to save more money as a car owner, look for an insurance agent to explain the benefits of buying the right auto policy for your needs.

At the River Valley Insurance Agency, we take pride in making sure that our clients are well-protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (616) 301-9500 or Click Here to request a free quote.