Changing the oil in your car, truck or sport utility vehicle is an important and necessary part of the maintenance routine that can help your vehicle lead a happy and long life. Changing the oil in your vehicle regularly also helps increase gas mileage, prevents unnecessary wear and tear on essential parts, and prevents much more expensive repairs down the road. Although a mundane and rather easy task to others, to others with little or no automotive experience, changing the oil in a vehicle can seem like a daunting and difficult task.
Paying upwards of $25 dollars at some auto shops, not necessary if you take the time to learn how to change your oil, is often only $11-$15. In this chapter I will tell you specifically how to change the oil in your 2000 GMC Jimmy Interchange.
The first step in changing your oil is getting a new oil and filter. Although some people choose their oil based on the time of year and annual temperatures, the recommended oil to use in the 2000 GMC Jimmy is 5W30. It doesn’t matter the brand, although some oil is intended for higher mileage engines. If you are unsure about which brand it is best to ask the seller at auto-parts for a recommendation. While replacing auto parts, you also need to buy a new oil filter. Because filters vary by manufacturer, the year and model of the vehicle will need to be checked to determine which particular oil filter you will need. In the oil section there is a book with a series of all types of oil filter. These are the components of your car and the year. If you can’t locate your specific filter or are unsure, a store employee may be able to help you.
For a 2000 GMC Jimmy you will need to buy 5 quarts of oil. Check in your owners manual for the exact amount of oil you should put in your vehicle, 4-cylinder model and 6-cylinder model varies.
Once you have your oil and filter, you should head home and give your vehicle between two and three hours to cool down so you don’t burn yourself with the oil change. After your vehicle has cooled down, start by opening the hood of your GMC Jimmy. The hood release lever is located on the driver’s side, just behind the steering wheel, next to the door.
Once you have the hood open, put the oil cap on and remove it to release some pressure in the system. For the other part, you will need a flat head screw driver, a socket wrench and the same number of bases, and an oil pan or something to store oil in.
Start by sliding the oil pan under the truck and back. Because your GMC Jimmy has a higher suspension, there is no need to jack up the SUV. Put it on your back and slide it down until you’re about halfway down. Place the oil in the pan, and plug the oil in the pan. The plug will look like a small bolt head. Put oil under the plug. Next, taking your socket wrench and, using a socket wrench, loosen and remove the oil plug. In this point you may get a little dirty that the old, used oil will come out.
After the old oil has been drained, place the plug back on itself, but only tighten by hand. Proceed under the next vehicle until you are just under the front bumper. The small door will be at a horizontal angle with a screw holding it in place. Taking the head of the flat screw driver twists it until the door swings open.
Now the old filter has been accessed. It is wise to remove the filter and twist it clockwise. If the oil filter won’t move your hand, use a piece of light surgical sandpaper for extra grip. A filter key is required to purchase.
After pulling out the old filter, take the new filter out of its box so that the black rubber gasket is on the end of it and rub a small amount of old oil around the gasket. This helps ensure that the new gasket is sealed to the car. After that, filter the filter and close the door.
Pull back under the truck and press the oil plug all the way down. Make sure that it is tightened to prevent any leakage of new oil. Slip under the truck and have new oil ready. Remember the oil cap before you? After receiving your new oil, add the correct amount, usually 4 and a quarter, until you reach the manufacturers recommended amount. Replace the oil cap and tighten it well.
Start your car and let it run for 10 minutes to allow the new oil to circulate. system After 10 minutes of riding, close your car and using an old cloth, wipe the oil from the dipstick (just below and next to the oil cap) and wipe off the oil. Work back into this respective hole and then pull it out. If the oil on the dipstick is within “xxx”, then you will have the right oil in the car. If you don’t have enough, add oil and run the truck and repeat checking it until you have the right amount.
Look! You have just changed the oil!
