refilling oil without a funnel
YouTube: ViralHog

Gearhead Didn't Have a Funnel, So He Changed His Engine Oil With This Simple Hack


Advertisement

There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned life hack, especially when it comes to anything related to car service or car repair. Of course, you always want to be prepared to handle any car troubles that might come your way by having the right tools, but being able to think on the fly and make due with what you have can take you a long way in life.

Take this car owner from Kenna, New Mexico, for example. He needed to refill his car's motor oil, but didn't have a funnel. Cue this simple, but effective, hack.

"I was at my parent's ranch and didn't have a funnel," the ingenious car owner said, according to the YouTube description. "The nearest store was an hour away so I just did the old trick I learned when I was little. I decided to record it and share with my friends and it blew their minds."

Advertisement

Read More: Ford Model A Gets First Oil Change in 50 Years, and What's in the Oil Pan Definitely Shows It

How to Refill Engine Oil

Now, if your car's oil level is low and you don't have to resort to using a hack like the one in the above video, there are a few basic steps you should follow. This is fairly simple car maintenance task, but important nonetheless.

First, you need to lift the hood of your car and look for the oil filler cap (it's the thing with the engine oil symbol on it). Then, you're going to want to unscrew the oil fill cap and pour oil in. Ideally using a funnel to ensure there's no spillage, you'll want to add a small amount of oil, cleaning up any of the new oil that spills with a paper towel or rag.

Use the oil dipstick to check the car's engine oil level and make sure you're working with the correct oil amount. Repeat the process of pouring in small amounts of oil and checking the dipstick, until you have enough oil (the level should be right between the markers). Finally, tightly replace the oil cap and close the hood. If you overfill the oil, you'll want to be sure to drain any excess out until it's at the right oil level.

Advertisement

Again, this whole oil change process is a pretty basic auto DIY endeavor. Probably not exactly something that necessitates scrambling for the owner's manual. But, this is something you definitely want to get right the first time. You can make sure you're getting the recommended oil for the job by stopping by any auto parts store or even browsing on Amazon.

Products featured on Alt_driver are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

This post was originally published on November 13, 2019.

Related Videos

Advertisement