Teaching Tennessee, CTE Task: Perform Engine Oil and Filter Change

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Course: Maintenance and Light Repair I (MLR I)
Task Length: 90 minutes

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Student Reading Guides

How Often to Change the Oil: The Driver’s Guide

1. What may happen if the oil is not changed?

2. Cars built before 1990 need oil changed how often?

3. New cars need oil changed how often (give an average or approximate mileage)?

How to Change Your Own Oil

1. What safety precautions are required while changing the oil of a vehicle?

2. What tools and parts are needed?

How to Change Your Engine Oil

1. What do you need to know to determine correct viscosity for the oil?

2. What tools do you need to change the oil and filter?

3. Why should the engine be run enough to make the car warm?

Student Video Guide

Draining the Old Oil

1. Open the ____________ on the top of the engine to help the oil drain out of the vehicle.
2. Under the vehicle, locate the ________________________. It will be bolted to the oil pan. 
3. Position the _______________________ underneath the vehicle to catch the oil.
4. Remove the oil drain plug. 
5. Let the oil drain out ____________. This can take a few minutes, depending on the size of the engine and the amount of the oil it requires. 
6. Reattach and tighten the oil drain plug. Thread the plug by hand and then use the same wrench as before to tighten it, but ________________________ it as you could strip the threads.

Replacing the Oil Filter

1. Locate the ________________________ on the engine. Different engine designs have different locations for the oil filter, so you may have to consult your owner's manual or look around the engine bay to find it.  
2. Use the ____________________________________ to loosen the oil filter.  Remove by hand.
3. As you remove the filter, make sure to keep the threaded end upright so oil doesn't leak out. Place it upside-down on the drain pan to empty.
4. Use your finger to spread a thin layer of oil around the ____________ of the new filter. Replace and hand-tighten firmly. Tighten ¾ to 1 full turn by hand after the filter is seated.
5. Lower the car to the ground.

Adding the New Oil

1. Find the ________________________ on the top of the engine. 
2. Position the ____________ in the oil filler hole. 
3. Add the required amount of new oil (check your owner's manual or other documentation for your model) slowly, taking care not to overflow the funnel.
4. Remove the dipstick from the engine, wipe it off, reinsert, then remove the ____________ once more and look at the tip. You should see a light layer of oil between the minimum and maximum level markings—the right amount. Add oil as needed.
5. After you've put the ________________________ back on, start the car and let it run for about 15 to 30 seconds so the new oil heats up and moves around inside.
6. Check the ____________ again. Add oil as needed.

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