Oil in My 2005 Chevy

¶ … Oil in My 2005 Chevy Silverado

For the most part, changing the oil in a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup is the same as changing the oil in any vehicle. There are certain convenience factors that that Silverado has that many vehicles do not, however, the process of changing the oil itself is nothing particularly unique. Regardless of the difference between cars, the fact remains that changing the oil is one of the most important processes you can learn to keep your car running smoothly. To this end there are two options available to you when it's time for this routine maintenance.

The first option, is quick, easy, and entirely painless; take your car to a garage or oil-change specialty shop. To change your oil this way you'll need to find out whether your chosen service requires an appointment set ahead of time. If so, set the appointment for whenever it's convenient for you. If not, you're free to stop in whenever you like during their business hours.

When you get to the shop you'll need to find a member of the maintenance team to help you. He or she will then take down vital information like our name, the fact that you are driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado, and your license plate number. They will then take your keys, often attaching some sort off identification tag on them, and you are sent to the waiting room, or, if you have chosen to take the truck to a Walmart or other "big box" store that provides oil changes, you can go shopping while they work.

As you wander the aisles you'll want to keep an ear out for your name being called on the in-store intercom system because this is how they will let you know your car is finished. Once they call your name you can make your way back to the maintenance department to pay for your service and pick up your keys. It's usually ok to bring your other purchases back to that register as well.

That's all there is to option one, but the second way -- the Do-It-Yourself way -- is more complicated, time consuming, and dirty. Though there is the added advantage of saving money, as well as acquiring a sense of accomplishment once the task is done. It also never hurts to gain a more intimate knowledge of your car's mechanisms, and doing it yourself will also give you this benefit.

First and foremost, anyone wishing to change their own oil needs to know that there are strict EPA regulations governing oil disposal. You'll want to have a place to dispose of your old oil before you even get started. Sometimes the local Jiffylube or other oil-changing facility will accept your oil as well as your old filter, so call around your local stores and find someone to take care of it for you.

After finding someone to properly dispose of your used oil, you'll want to assemble the tools that you'll need for this project:

3/8-drive socket set (metric will work for both) combination wrench set (closed- and open-ended, metric) an oil filter wrench something to catch the old oil -- an oil pan, a used kitchen basin, a kid's pail couple of empty one gallon milk containers with screw-on lids.

A funnel and a one quart Ziploc baggie lot of old newspapers and several dirty rags presoiled work clothes and, if you have long hair, a baseball cap or tie-back new oil filter (see vehicle's owner's manual for requirements) enough oil to refill the engine. The grade and weight for the oil can be found in your

Silverado owner's manual.

You may also want to have a pair of surgical gloves to wear as well if you would prefer not to get your hands dirty.

To begin, it's best to take empty the oil from your car when the oil is warm. The heat will thin out the oil and make it run out much easier if you take your car for a bit of a spin before you begin your task. If you're lacking a temperature gauge, a good indication that the engine is warm enough to thin the oil is to turn on the heat -- when your feet get hot, you're ready to head back home

Once you get back home, turn off the engine, put the car in gear and pull the emergency brake with all your might -- your life could depend on how tightly it holds the truck in place. For extra security, place choks, rocks or bricks behind each tire. Now you're ready to get under the car.

Once under the car, you'll need to locate the oil drain plug. In the Silverado it should be somewhere on the left hand side near the transmission cooler lines. Look in the spot on the engine that comes closest to the ground. You're looking for a rather large nut with a washer under it (unless you lost it last time you tried this), though most Silveradoes have a plug that says "drain" on it. Find your socket set and pull out several sockets that look about the same size as the nut until you find one that fits over it.

If you want, now would be a good time to put on those gloves if you elected to use them. Using the socket wrench, place the appropriate sized socket on the nut and turn it counter-clockwise. If you have trouble getting the nut to unscrew, use a closed-end wrench to pry it loose. After you get the plug dislodged, work it out slightly by hand. But not too much or you'll wind up with oil all over your face.

Next, spread the newspaper out under the car to catch any drips, which really can't be avoided. Move the drain pan under the drain plug, remembering that the stream may not come straight out, but instead in an arch to the side. Remove the drain plug completely then get out of the way. Most of the oil will drain in about two minutes.

Now, find the oil filter -- it'll be up further inside the engine. It's usually orange or red in color, and is a stubby cylindrical shape. Using the oil filter wrench, crack the seal on the oil filter by unscrewing it counterclockwise. Once you feel it give you can unscrew it the rest of the way by hand. Remember that there's oil in that filter, so you'll need to pour it out in the drain pan and set it down right-side-up.

Come out from under the car and pop the hood. Locate the oil filler cap and remove it, setting it aside for later. This helps the oil drain easier because it breaks the vacuum that's inside the engine. If you have the time now is a great time to take a break. The longer you let the oil drain, the more gunk you're going to get out of your car. Of course, if you don't have that much time, just letting it drain until the flow is down to a drip is sufficient.

Now it's time to do the actual replacement. Before you put the new oil filter on, dip a finger (don't forget your gloves if you took a break!) in the old oil and coat the rubber gasket on the bottom of the filter. This helps the filter create a stronger seal with the engine block. Be sure to wipe off the circle where the filter fits back into the engine block, then screw the new filter onto the truck. Tighten it with the filter wrench if you don't have the muscle to get it on there tight by hand.