Tag Archives: oil change
Advanced oil change theory
So, it’s time to change your oil. You drain the oil, change the filter, and fill the crankcase with fresh oil, right? Yes, but there’s actually a lot of science behind what’s going on in your engine to keep it running for the long haul.
Above all, there’s the oil itself. These days, most, if not all motor oils the average user will use are multi-grade oils. In short, as motor oil heats up, it thins out. If the oil in a hot engine gets too thin, oil pressure drops and engine damage will eventually occur. Multi-grade oil includes substances known as viscosity index improvers. These allow a motor oil to retain thickness, or viscosity, at higher temperatures.
Motor oil isn’t all derived from petroleum, either. Many oils commonly available now are fully synthetic. These synthetic oils have proven to last longer and provide an engine better protection. Whatever oil you choose use, make sure that it matches your car’s manufacturer’s recommendations in regard to viscosity (there may be different options, based on the environmental conditions of where you live, and the season), API classification, and oil change interval. Some modern cars don’t even have a recommended oil change interval, but rather monitor the condition of the engine oil via the on board computer and alert you when the oil needs to be changed. Even if your car doesn’t have this technology, don’t rely on the old 3,000 mile rule of thumb for changing your oil. The correct interval is that recommended by the car’s manufacturer, and is often higher than 3,000 miles. In effect, paying attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations here will save you time and money.
In some cases, as with some European cars, engines have such high requirements for lubrication that certain manufacturers have needed to develop their own specifications and their own oil blends. There may be aftermarket oils that meet those requirements, but be sure to make sure the oil meets those requirements, or once again, you may cause engine damage by using the wrong oil.
In addition to synthetics, there are now recycled oils available. As an engine uses oil, the oil picks up dirt and contaminants. But, contrary to popular belief, the base oil actually does not degrade or break down. Now, used oil is being reclaimed, the contaminants being filtered out, and sometimes blended with new base oils before being resold.
The motor oil industry is constantly changing, developing, and engineering new products. On top of recycled options, the industry is constantly researching and experimenting with developing oil from new sources. One possible future product is engine oil derived from recycled plastic. But, given what’s available even today, it’s hard to say what you’ll be putting in your engine tomorrow.
Automotive DIY for beginners
Oftentimes, I get a phone call from a friend whose car is in the shop and they ask my opinion on a shop’s estimate. Eventually, I get around to asking said friends why they don’t just fix it themselves and save themselves a boatload of money. Invariably, they proclaim that they simply don’t have the knack for it. They look at my tendency to take a wrench to anything that has wheels as some divine-given talent.
What should be obvious is that I wasn’t born knowing how to do this kind of work. I started the same way as any beginner – one repair at a time. What most people don’t realize is that you can handle a lot of DIY maintenance and repairs on your own without knowing how every single nut and bolt on your car works. You pick a simple maintenance item to start with, and move up in complexity from there. What you need to keep in mind is that your car was designed and built by people just like you, and there’s no magic behind what makes it work.
Where, then, should the novice begin? Ideally, if you’re new to working on your own car, you should start BEFORE you have a breakdown in the middle of the night in an unknown area with no cell phone reception. I always recommend starting with the basics, as I did – and it doesn’t get much simpler than an oil change. This is a great place to start because it’s a maintenance item that’ll come up frequently and is generally easy to tackle. The specifics differ from car to car, but the process pretty much goes as follows:
1.raise front of car
2.remove oil cap
3.drain old oil
4.remove and replace oil filter
5.fill engine with fresh oil
6.replace oil cap
7.make note of date and mileage of oil change
8.dispose of old oil
Your owner’s manual should tell you how much oil and what kind you’ll need to buy. For that matter, your owner’s manual is a great source of information on basic DIY items. If you haven’t read through it, I highly recommend doing so. It’ll show you how to check fluid levels and usually how to top them off if needed. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if the manual gives you specific instructions, then it’s probably a simple enough item for you to handle on your own. On the other hand, if the owner’s manual tells you to take your car to a dealership, then that item is probably not suited to the beginner DIY-er (though it might be a job you’ll be comfortable handling in the future).
Whatever you do, the most important thing to do is to arm yourself with knowledge. Start with your owner’s manual. Purchase a quality repair manual if you feel you need more information. Most of all, make sure you understand the job and the risks involved before you begin.
How to Save Money While Keeping Your Car Value High
Whether it’s your first car, or your fifth, I’m sure you want to take good care of it, either to keep it running longer, or have a better resale value. Let’s face it: the current state of the economy is not presenting a good picture, and with this in mind, it is all the more important to find the best ways to get the maximum value for your vehicle.
Repairs and replacements are costs that are necessary to keep your car in top shape. However, there are several tips that you can follow to save instead of spending more and more. If you are practical and willing, with a few simple tricks in mind, you will able to save more bucks and lengthen your car’s value.
Use the right parts
When I say you can save money by buying the right parts, it does not necessarily mean that you should only buy the parts that are the cheapest. You should be wise in deciding when it is better to buy parts straight from your car manufacturer’s dealers, and when it is more advisable to buy replacement parts from OEM, or aftermarket parts sellers. As a rough guide, if the original parts and the replacement parts cost almost the same, perhaps it is better to buy the original. However, if the price difference is big, and the OEM and OES parts are being sold by reliable sources, and at the same time, they are non-critical components, then buying those parts should be preferred. For example, most parts under the chassis, like small bearings, tie rods, rack ends, etc. can be easily replaced by cheaper alternatives without posing much risks. If you do choose to buy the original for the more critical parts, you can still get discounts if you shop from reliable online sources who cut middlemen costs to make parts more affordable.
Treat your car with occasional carwash service
Before you raise your eyebrows in doubt, yes, I know that washing your car by yourself seems like the better way to save money. However, if you don’t know the proper way to clean your car, you might end up causing unwanted damage. Sure, it can appear like a simple task: just get the cleaning instruments, a generous splashing of water, and you’re good. But is you’re not careful, your vehicle’s paint and finish might be damaged by simply using the wrong type of detergent, or brushing too hard. Over time, they may even develop into micro-abrasions and even scratches.
I suggest you go to a carwash once in a while, and really observe the process. Admit, most car owners wouldn’t be able to clean their cars with the same quality as do the professional carwashers. An occasional trip should not hurt your wallet too much, especially when the result will be a spic-and-span car that would last longer. Also, once you master the art of carwashing by observing, you can then buy the right instruments, use them over and over again, and save even more money.
Don’t skip the Oil Change
Changing oil is probably the most common car maintenance practice there is, and every car owner should be familiar with it. As basic tips for saving money on oil change, you should be smart in choosing where is the best place to change the oil, and which oil is inexpensive, but with good quality.
Get involved and not just leave your car to some garage or independent service station who might skimp on the use of quality materials and products. Beware as well of some service stations who try to delay the time prompting you to give a “tip” for speedier mechanic service. You can also have your oil changed in the dealerships, but it would be more costly. But of course, you would be assured of the better quality and other advantages.
Pay attention to your AC compressor
If you are the type who ignores minor problems manifested by your air conditioning system, you just might encounter big problems eventually. Most AC compressors ultimately fail because of age, and when this happens, repair would not cost cheap. Normally, you would have to replace several parts, like the expansion valve, evaporating coil, condensing oil, etc. So, you should have a reliable source where you can buy discounted, yet quality parts.
Another option is to find a certified and trusted mechanic who can rebuild the compressor for you. There may not be plenty of shops offering this service, but if you are able to find one, they can take your compressor and rebuild it using working parts from other compressors.
These are just some of the ways to save money, while at the same time, take care of your car to keep its value high. If you remember these tips, whether there is recession or not, you and your car would surely benefit from them for life.
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