Engine Oil change & replacement made easy

Engine oil is a lubricant used to reduce the friction between the moving parts of the engine as well as an aid to cooling by dissipating the heat generated.

• The mechanic will raise the vehicle and ensure that the surrounding area is protected against any spillage
• The mechanic will drain the oil and change the oil filter
• Mechanic will then refill the engine with the correct grade and quantity of quality oil
• Mechanic will run the engine and once cool, will re check the level
• Any dashboard based oil service and quality warnings will be reset to indicate the oil service has been performed

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an engine oil change is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

Fundamentally, unless it has gone too far, the average motorist is unlikely to know there is something wrong physically with it.

There may be an oil pressure warning on the dashboard that could indicate the oil isn’t circulating as well as it should due to a blocking filter or even a failing oil pump or there may be an oil level warning, which would indicate there isn’t enough oil in the engine. However both of these warnings are not really an indicator of the actual oil quality but can alert you to potential issues.
Therefore typical symptoms are;

• Engine oil level warning
• Engine oil pressure warning
• Service indicator lights
• Oil quality warning light

An engine oil change usually takes around 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

As oil heats up and cools down, carbonisation occurs, which is why oil turns a dark black colour. The more this occurs and the more its chemical structure is mashed during the friction process, the oil quality will fall away until it not longer provides the purpose it is used for,

This is why the manufacturers have recommended oil change frequencies, however, it is not the full story. There is also the time recommendation as well, but this is to try and ensure that regular changes are made. An engine that is used in a vehicle that sits in stationary traffic the majority of its time, but doesn’t accumulate high mileages, is still going to be running and that is of course what reduces the properties.

Having the correct level and grade of engine oil is of paramount importance both for maintaining engine efficiency and performance. Driving with a bad engine oil could cause damage to the engine. If you suspect there is any issue with your engine oil or there are concerns about its age or condition, book with a professional mechanic with immediate effect to check the engine oil and replace it if necessary.

Most auto manufacturers recommend changing engine oil every 5000-7000 miles. However, keep in mind that older cars may need its engine oil changed more frequently. The best thing to do is check the owner's manual for manufacturer recommended oil change frequency.

The oil life indicator on the dashboard is a maintenance reminder that lets the driver know when it is time to change the engine oil and filter. The indicator is usually a percentage that counts down as the oil is used. When the indicator reaches 15%, it usually indicates you have a few hundred miles to go before it's time to change the engine oil.

If the manufacturer recommended oil change is recommended every 10,000 miles for example, then 15% would mean you have about 1500 miles to go before you need to change the oil. If it's 5000 miles, then 15% oil life indicator would mean 750 miles left. Remember this is a rough approximation so it's always good to check the engine oil regularly with the dipstick method and not let it do below the "low" mark.

When the oil life hits 0%, you can technically still continue to drive the car. But since the quality of oil has degraded, it is important to change the oil as soon as possible as it can cause harm to the engine.

Synthetic oil is generally considered to be more durable. high-performing and efficient than conventional oil, and it is often the recommended choice for newer vehicles.

Unlike conventional oil, fully synthentic oils are also designed to flow quickly in winter conditions and resist extreme heat, which allows the car engine to operate smoothly year-round.

Yes, it is generally safe to switch back and forth from conventional to synthentic oil. However, it is important to remember that synthetic oil is far more superior then conventional oil so once you switch back to conventional oil it will not offer the efficiency the synthetic oil did for your engine.

If you're not sure about switching, you can always consult a mechanic to advise what's best for your vehicle.

The best oil recommended for your car will be listed in the owner's manual.

Engine oil comes in different viscosities, and is generally signified by a grade number, such as 5w40. It is important to consult the owner's manual as using the wrong type of oil can cause stress to the mechanical components of the engine that need optimum lubrication.

If you don't get your engine oil topped up, it will eventually lead to engine failure.

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts in your engine, and without it, these parts will start to grind against each other and cause serious and expensive damage to the engine.

No, bad engine oil does not lead to an MOT failure as it is not a checkpoint. However, an MOT tester may suggest that if the engine oil is bad or low that it is not advisable to test the vehicle as it could damage the vehicle. They may then refuse to test the vehicle.