Treatment FAQ

what treatment to use before changing motor oil

by Allen Kozey Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Remove oil filler cap and pour the recommended amount of Sea Foam directly into the engine crankcase. Do not exceed one treatment per oil change interval. Drive 100 to 300 miles before every oil and filter change for best cleaning results, though Sea Foam can be added at any time between oil changes.

Full Answer

Do I need to change the oil after using motor treatment?

Although it is not necessary to change the oil after using this product, adding MOTOR TREATMENT to dirty oil prior to an oil change will allow it’s high-strength cleaning properties to clean out the oil system, and any loosened carbon or debris trapped by the oil screen or filter will then be removed as part of the oil service procedure.

How to change the oil in a car safely?

Practice safe wrenching, use rubber gloves. Hot oil may flow freely, but it will also induce serious burns if you don’t let it cool down before changing it. Here is a tip for speeding up your oil change – if the engine is cold, fire it up and run it for 2-3 minutes.

When should I add oil to my car engine?

If levels drop by a half quart or more, you will need to add oil to the engine. Add a second additive if you are using long life oil or add the appropriate matching oil.

How often should you change your car’s oil?

If you’re using conventional oil, changes are recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Synthetic oil may allow for longer intervals between changes. Consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, the oil jug, or talk to an AutoZoner for more specific intervals for your vehicle. What You Need for an Oil Change

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Do you use oil treatment before or after oil change?

STP® Oil Treatment can be added at any time. For maximum results, it's best when added to fresh oil in a warm engine right after an oil change.

What should I use to clean engine before oil change?

An engine flush is an aftermarket chemical additive designed to clean accumulated deposits, sludge and other gunk from your engine. You pour it into your engine's oil-filler port and idle the engine for about 10-15 minutes.

What should you do before oil change?

Steps for changing your oilCheck the type and amount of oil needed.Get together your filter, wrenches, and other supplies.Prepare your vehicle.Locate the oil filter and drain plug.Drain the oil.Tighten the drain plug.Change the oil filter.Add the new oil.More items...

Should I use Sea Foam before or after oil change?

Note: Though Sea Foam can be added at any time between oil change intervals, we recommend adding Sea Foam to an oil crankcase 100 to 300 drive miles before changing oil and filter.

Is it necessary to use engine flush when changing oil?

Engine flushes are only needed to be used on a periodic basis. Ideally, you'd be changing your oil and taking proper care of the engine such that you wouldn't have oil sludge building up regularly. You don't need to use engine flushes with every oil change.

Is oil flush a good idea?

An engine flush washes the gunk out of your car's engine – and most cars will never need one, says an engine expert. "If you do your oil changes regularly you shouldn't have a need for an engine flush," says Dennis Mott, automotive professor at Centennial College in Toronto.

What additives are added to oil to help protect the engine?

Lubricants like antifoamants and anti-wear oil additives coat engine parts to prevent stiffness and seizure. Detergents and dispersants can prevent oil sludge and grime build-up to keep high-mileage engines operating cleanly and allow longer intervals between oil changes.

What are the 10 steps to an oil change?

10 Steps to Changing Your OilOpen the oil tank. Remove the cap. ... Replace the housing screw. Once the oil has drained, replace the screw. ... Put the new filter. Lubricate the round seal of the new filter first. ... Pour the new oil. ... Check oil level. ... Get rid of the used oil.

Should you warm up engine before oil change?

The five-minute rule is a good one. You warm up the oil so it's less viscous and it flows better. That way, less of the old oil remains inside the engine — stuck to the walls of the oil pan and other engine parts.

Can you put Sea Foam in your oil before an oil change?

You can add it at any time, but we recommend adding it about 100-300 miles before your next oil change. That way it has time to clean and all the stuff the Sea Foam cleaned can be drained away with the old oil.

Should I do an oil change after using Sea Foam?

That said, you can safely add Sea Foam to the oil at any time. Just keep an eye on oil color and change it if it gets dirty enough (you might have to change it before your next scheduled oil change).

Should I put Sea Foam in my engine oil?

Sea Foam can be added to your engine oil as often as every oil change interval – just pour into your engine's oil filler neck! For routine crankcase cleaning, add Sea Foam to your engine's oil (into the oil filler neck) 100 to 300 drive miles before a scheduled oil and filter change.

What can I use to brace my car's rear wheel?

You can use a brick or piece of wood to brace the rear wheel opposite the jack stands to make sure your car doesn’t roll away. Of course, your parking brake should be engaged, too.

Can you pour oil from a collection pan into a wobbly funnel?

Be sure to use a collection container that’s basically a portable jug. No pouring used oil from a collection pan into a wobbly funnel, which is bound to be a mess.

Why do you need to change motor oil?

All conventional motor oils will contain additive packages that do things like suspend damaging dirt particles (to keep them from scoring metal surfaces) and neutralize harmful acids to prevent corrosion damage. These additive packages get used up over time, which is one essential reason to change the oil.

What can break down oil?

Excessive heat and pressure conditions can break down an oil and lessen its ability to protect. Adding a treatment that extends the oil's ability to provide normal friction-reducing protection under circumstances like these can be worthwhile.

Does engine friction affect fuel mileage?

Reduce friction in the engine is the most common answer. But engine friction doesn't contribute substantially to fuel mileage. Keeping the injectors clean is far more directly connected to fuel mileage than whether an oil is slippery or not. With a claim like mileage improvement, the devil is in the details.

Is base oil good for engine protection?

With respect to oil, protection for engine parts is paramount. But contrary to typical thinking, the base oil isn't the biggest contributor to protection - it's the additives in the oil that do the most protecting.

Can you spend $20 on oil additives?

As a consumer, it's unfortunate to spend $20 or more of your hard-earned money on an oil additive that promises to do certain things but fails to deliver. It's enough to put you off of any kind of oil additives altogether. But like many things, there are grains of truth in things oil additives can actually do, vs. the untruths that dishonest manufacturers capitalize on to separate people from their money and do the whole industry a disservice.

How to make oil in car not hot?

To make the job easier, you’ll want the oil in your car to be warm, but not hot. Run the car if it’s cold outside, or wait for it to cool if it’s been running. Park your vehicle on a flat surface, engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.

What is engine oil additive?

Engine Oil additives like brands STP or MOLI are ‘helpers’ to the engine and oil by reducing breakdown of chemicals and all the building blocks that exist inside the oil. These type of oil additives reduce friction, heat, wear and tear. Many are even designed to slow and stop oil leaks.

Can synthetic oil be changed?

Synthetic oil may allow for longer intervals between changes. Consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, the oil jug, or talk to an AutoZoner for more specific intervals for your vehicle.

How to speed up oil change?

Practice safe wrenching, use rubber gloves. Hot oil may flow freely, but it will also induce serious burns if you don’t let it cool down before changing it. Here is a tip for speeding up your oil change – if the engine is cold, fire it up and run it for 2-3 minutes.

How to change oil on a car that is dirty?

By following these 10 oil change tips, your oil change will go down quick and hopefully not so dirty. 1. Cool Your Jets. Practice safe wrenching, use rubber gloves.

What type of drain pan is used for NAPA oil?

There are several types of drain pans – open top, funnel-top with drain spout, and semi-open with drain spout. The best type is the funnel-top, as the oil is fully covered, there is little chance of spilling the oil. 3.

What is the best type of oil filter wrench?

The best type is the funnel-top, as the oil is fully covered, there is little chance of spilling the oil. 3. Get A Grip. Every NAPA Auto Parts Store has a wide selection of oil filter wrenches, choose wisely. Oil filters can be a real bear to remove, especially if your hands are covered in oil.

How to keep oil from chugging?

Use a funnel and hold the bottle the right way. The spout goes at the top of the bottle, not the bottom. This keeps the oil from chugging. Pouring oil seems like a no-brainer, but for the novice, getting more oil in the engine that on the can be a tricky proposition.

What type of wrench is used to tighten a filter?

Clamp- style wrenches use a spring-steel clamp that tightens down to grip the filter. They work well, but can be a little cumbersome to use in tight engine bays, and when they get slippery, they are even harder to use. The claw-wrench is the cheapest and most versatile, but they are messy.

What oil weights are used in a car?

All engines have specific oil weights that should be used in that engine. This varies by the make and model. Most modern cars have the weight (5w-30, 10w-30, etc) printed on the oil fill cap under the hood, but some cars simply list it on the spec sticker under the hood.

Why does oil need to be changed?

It needs to be changed because the high temperatures and other stresses placed on the fluid in its use as a lubricant causes it to change chemically over time, and impurities also enter the oil as it ages and cycles through the engine more and more.

When to use oil stabilizers?

The fact is, you can use oil stabilizers once your engine is through its initial breaking-in phase. In fact, the earlier you start using stabilizers and other performance products, the more they can do to reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, extending its useful life.

Why do you need Lucas oil stabilizer?

Products like Lucas Oil Stabilizer can be a useful for those who put a lot of miles on their vehicles, because it helps ensure you will get the time you need between oil changes even if you're running a high mileage driving schedule. There are variations for regular and synthetic oil, as well as Lucas treatments for other essential systems like ...

Can running hot oil change the viscosity of the oil?

Running too hot can change oil viscosity more quickly than recommended or burn off oil. Lots of engine wear and impurity buildup can lead to contaminants that reduce the lubricant quality in the oil and possibly lead to earlier viscosity changes.

Can you use a synthetic blend on a 5W30?

Use the synthetic blend for light weights like 5w30. You may choose to top off the engine with stabilizer instead of oil between changes as well, to lengthen engine life in older vehicles. Lucas’s official instructions also note that you can use the stabilizer in greater quantities than directed for new vehicles if necessary.

Can you stop a leak with a stabilizer?

Leaks will not be stopped with a stabilizer, there are other strategies for stopping them, including sealant stop-leak products. Compromised oil systems can also bring in foreign matter, leading to engine issues.

Can you use Lucas oil stabilizer on power steering?

While there are separate treatments for issues like seal leaks in the power steering fluid, Lucas does recommend the use of its regular oil stabilizer in a few additional applications. This is possible because the oils used as fluids in those systems are close enough in composition and viscosity to benefit from the stabilizer. Do not use it with any system fluids other than oil and lubricants.

What you will need

First, let's take a look at some of the tools needed to change your oil.

Procedure

Jack up the car. The first step is to jack up the vehicle. You can drive the vehicle up on ramps if you have them; otherwise, use a floor jack. Place the car in Park. Turn the ignition off and remove the key from the ignition. You need to block the rear tires so that your vehicle does not roll when you are working underneath.

What type of engine oil do I need?

The easiest way to find out what oil your car uses is to look at the oil cap or owner's manual. The oil viscosity is usually printed on the oil cap. If it is not, then you need to find the owner's manual. Find the recommended fluids and lubricants section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I change the engine to hot or cold? There is a lot of discussion on whether you should change the oil when the engine is hot or cold. If you try to change the engine when the oil is hot, you risk burning yourself. It is ok to change the engine oil if the oil is warm. The thing to keep in mind is that you may have some residue oil left.

How to use Seafoam to clean engine?

If you want to burn some carbon up and smoke up the neighborhood: introduce Seafoam to a vacuum line. 2. If you want to clean your engine from sludgy goo: Add some to the crankcase and run it. For example I used 1/3 bottle and ran it for 2 weeks before draining the engine oil. 3.

What is sea foam treatment?

Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a unique 100% pure petroleum oil product, developed to solve specific problems that are common to gasoline, gas/oil mixed fuels & diesel fuels used in all types and styles of 2 cycle, 4 cycle, diesel and Rotary (Wankel type) engines in common use in all automotive, truck, fleet, industrial, agricultural, specialty industries and small engine applications.

Is it safe to use seafoam in crankcase oil?

It is a 100% petroleum based product. It is not a harsh solvent nor is it full of chemical additives as some have said above. It is a perfectly safe to use product in the crankcase. Seafoam can be added and then the oil changed pretty quick or it can be run in there for a while.

Is it Best to Change Motor Oil Hot or Cold? The Answer Might Surprise You

It seems intuitive that if time is not a factor, the most thorough way to change engine oil is by letting the car sit overnight, then next morning allowing the oil to drain out of the sump for several hours.

Most oil experts say it's better to drain the oil when it's hot instead of when it's cold, for several reasons

Oil viscosity is thinner when it's hot, so it drains more quickly and completely out of the engine than when it's cold.

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