Change Oil for 2014 Chevrolet Impala
Changing your own oil helps you to do quality control, ensuring that the correct oil, equipment, and tools are utilized on your large investment. After completing an oil change, many people get the confidence to begin making further repairs and adjustments to their automobiles. With a little practice, you'll be able to change your own oil in a fraction of the time of taking it to your local mechanic/dealer and without ever leaving your house. Many of the modern vehicles today follow an almost identical set of steps to replace old oil and install a new oil filter. The 2014 Chevrolet Impala compares to most sedan vehicles in terms of a simple oil change. While the tools used may differ throughout the steps, most cars will involve a very similar approach.
Contents
Steps
Preparation
- Confirm and purchase the specific oil and oil filter needed for the make and model of your vehicle by asking a worker at an automobile section of preferred store . The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will take SAE5W-30 oil and a worker can match the oil filter required for oil you are using.
- Prepare following tools/materials:
- Latex gloves
- Oil Filter
- New Oil
- Oil Funnel
- 15 mm socket
- 3/8" Drive Ratchet
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stand (1)
- Oil Filter Wrench (recommended)
- Oil catch pan
- Begin by laying down plastic sheeting on the ground. Then drive your car over it.
- This eliminates the need for oil spill cleaning because you can just trash the entire sheet after you're through, or save it for the next change if you're lucky enough to go leak-free.
- Star the engine of the Impala just for a few minutes before parking it on preferred working area. Warming up the engine helps to suspend any impurities in the old oil and allows for easy drainage.
- To keep the automobile from moving, apply the emergency parking brake placing any form of a wheel stopper (wooden wedge) behind the rear wheels.
- This will keep the vehicle from moving when using the floor jack to elevate the vehicle and is an important safety precaution.
- Open the hood, remove the oil filler cap counterclockwise, and pull the dipstick handle out an inch or two.
- This helps release pressure that may be built up in the oil reservoir preventing a messy and rapid exit of the oil during drainage.
- The cap should be labeled "Engine Oil" towards the drivers side of the engine bay of the hood.
Lifting the Vehicle
- Locate floor jack placements underneath the vehicle. They should be behind all four of the wheels with a clear indication where to place the jack before elevation.
- For an oil change use either jack placements at the front of the vehicle.
- Locate and position jack under jack placement indication and begin pumping jack to lift the vehicle until reaching an appropriate working height.
- Safely place jack stand close to jack under the frame of the vehicle. Lock in jack stand in place as its purpose is to be a backup lift and keep the vehicle elevated if the floor jack gives out.
Locate Oil Drain Bolt/Plug and Oil Filter
- Slide under the engine bay of the vehicle bringing with you the 15mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet, oil filter wrench, and the oil catch pan.
- Its time you get your latex gloves on for the dirty work!
- Locate the oil reservoir directly underneath the engine.
- You're going to be looking a single drain bolt that sits in the centre of the reservoir.
- Search for the oil filter oftentimes usually sitting side by side with the oil reservoir where drain bolt was previously located at. As for the Impala, the oil filter will be located closer to the front bumper of the vehicle.
- The oil filter is easily distinguishable by its can-like structure and bright colour labeling.
- Organize tools relative to the areas your working with in preperation for future steps now that youve identified the areas of focus.
Oil Bolt/Plug Drainage
- Align oil catch pan directly underneath oil drain plug ensuring theres enough gap space for you to work with and exit incase of an misstep.
- Turn the oil drain bolt counterclockwise using a 15mm socket and a 3/8" wrench stopping when you feel the bolt completely screw off but still ensuring you are still holding in place.
- This is very important as you want to remove the bolt quickly without coming in contact with the draining oil.
- Quickly pull away the drain bolt from its placement keeping away from the draining oil.
- This quick maneuver prevents a messy exit of the oil from the reservoir and protects you from the hot oil.
- Allow at least a few minutes for the old oil to drain out, or until the flow reduces to just an occasional trickle.
- Tighten the drain bolt back on to its designated hole with the 15mm socket and a 3/8" wrench making sure area is clean and free of any remaining oil.
Oil Filter Removal and Drainage
- Place the oil catch pan directly under the oil filter in preperation for the draining oil. Again, make sure its aligned correctly to avoid a messy work space and coming in contact with the hot oil.
- Use hands or the recommended oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise.
- Do not fully remove the oil filter just yet!
- When a steady trickle of oil begins to drain, quickly turn the oil filter until completely removed while ensuring it does not come in contact with the draining oil.
- Allow at least a few minutes for the old oil to drain out, or until the flow reduces to just an occasional trickle.
- Clean oil remains that may be left behind during the drainage process in preperation for instalment of the new oil filter.
Oil Filter Installment
- Lubricate rubber gasket (o-shaped ring on new oil filter) by dipping your finger in the newly purchased SAE5W-30 oil.
- You should be adding just enough to cover the rubber surface of the oil filter for easy instalment and removal for future oil changes.
- Use your free hand to install the new oil filter by screwing it in clockwise into its designated placement.
- Stop when you feel it is no longer turning with your free hand.
- Use your second hand to aid in turning the filter an additional 1/2 turn past the original single hand tightness.
- Before continuing, double-check that the oil drain bolt and the new oil filter are both snug.
- Safely exit from under the vehicle bringing with you all the equipment used during the process.
Lowering the Vehicle
- Remove jack stand from under its indicated placement.
- Be sure that the car's weight is not only being supported by the jack stand and is still being elevated by the floor jack itself.
- Release the floor jack from under the vehicle by slowly rotating the handle while watching the vehicle for any issues that may arise.
- The floor jack should just roll from under the vehicle without any resistance.
- Check all four corners of the vehicle just to be sure there is no unusual u dropped down the care safely.
Filling Oil Filler Hole With New Oil
- Locate the oil filler hole of the Impala by searching for a filler cap labeled "Engine Oil".
- Twist the cap counterclockwise until completely off keeping it in a safe area away from dirt and debris.
- Insert the oil funnel into the filler hole
- Pour 4 quarts of the SAE5W-30 oil through the funnel
- Search for the dipstick usually located at the passengers side of engine bay labelled "Dipstick". Lift the dipstick all the way wiping off all oil residue.
- Fully re-insert the dipstick pulling it out checking the oil level. If additional oil is required, carefully pour it in while checking the level on the dipstick each pour until it is just at or below the top of the region indicating the "Full" or "Maximum" line.
- Finish by cleaning any oil spills or residue. Turn both the dipstick cap and engine oil cap completely until fully closed with tight seal.
Finishing Results
- Start the engine and allow it idle for a few minutes. Examine the information screen for any engine lights, warnings, or issues the vehicle may have.
- Drive around to test the vehicle for any audible issues you may hear as well as issues you may feel that don't normally happen when driving the car.
- Enjoy the succesful outcome of completing an oil change for your 2014 Chevrolet Impala!
Tips
- Specify the make and model of your vehicle to an automobile worker be able to purchase the correct oil and oil filter for your vehicle. It never hurts to double check.
- You will save a lot of time and frustration by organizing your tools before hand and sliding them under the vehicle all at once rather than coming out through every step.
- Maneuvering quickly when removing drain bolt and oil filter will help prevent a mess and coming in contact with the draining oil.
- Do not tighten the drain bolt too much as it may make it more difficult to remove for future oil changes
- Lubricating the o-ring on the new filter will aid in the formation of a better seal, the prevention of oil leaks, and the removal of the filter at the next oil change.
- Clean throughout each step. Having a clean working environment will ensure good quality work.
Warnings
- Secure rear wheels by making sure you have something to act as a stopper. A wooden wedge on both rear wheels can do the trick. Constantly check for movement being aware that the wedges are properly in place.
- Be aware that if the floor jack gives out you only have the jack stand supporting the vehicles weight. It is important for your safety to place it in the correct position close to the floor jack, underneath metal body frame of your vehicle.
- Do not come in contact with the draining hot oil utilizing the quick removal technique of the drain bolt and oil filter
- Leave enough space to evacuate in case of a misstep or emergency
- Make sure that the rubber gasket from the old oil filter did not get left behind on the oil filter placement on below the engine.
- Avoid overtightening the replacement filter to avoid breaking the rubber gasket. This could result in an oil leak.
- Make sure all the car weight is not on just the jack stand. The floor jack should be elevating your car and any weight on the jack stand means the floor jack is failing to fully elevate your vehicle.
- Examine your driveway, garage, or parking place for fresh oil spills, which might signal a leak from the drain bolt or a new filter.
