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How To Save Money On Oil Changes

June 22, 2011 By ilblendo Leave a Comment

In the present economy we are all facing it appears as though every penny saved is a big deal, and in light of this more people than ever are beginning to save money on oil changes by getting creative in how they approach car repair. The amount of money an individual can save on oil changes may not seem like much, but when you view the topic from the position of a family that has three cars and drives a good deal of miles annually, the savings can be considerable. How to save money on oil changes is also a good lesson in economics for teen drivers who tend to think their parents wallets will always be accessible to them, in learning that driving privileges come with certain financial strings attached that cannot be avoided.

One of the best ways to save money on oil changes is simply by scouring the newspaper advertisements for specials and deals in the local area. Remember, businesses are hit by the recession also and need to constantly drum-up new customers to keep their doors open. Many of the “quick” oil changes centers offer deals to save money on oil changes by becoming a repeat customer – get 5 oil changes get 1 oil change for free sort of promotion. For those who don’t like getting their hands dirty these offers are a blessing, and a car owner can usually save money on oil changes in the 20% to 30% range by taking advantage.

An even better way to save money on oil changes is to become your own mechanic temporarily, and attack the oil maintenance issue as a do-it-yourselfer. In this method an individual can save money on oil changes on several fronts, with each adding up to a tidy sum in total. The oil filter can be purchased at a discount auto parts outlet, and the motor oil can be purchased by the case at sizeable discounts. It then becomes a simple matter to drain the old oil from the car in question, refill the car with new oil and replace the oil filter. While this may not be everyone’s “cup of tea” it is nonetheless a great way to save money on oil changes.

It is important to not let your desire to save money on oil changes get in the way of displaying basic common sense, especially when attempting to change the oil in your car yourself. If a person has fears about getting under a car that has been jacked or has never done the task before it is probably best left to someone more experienced regardless of the cost.

Written by twconroy

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Oil Change Delay Consequences

June 22, 2011 By ilblendo Leave a Comment

First off, an oil change is a procedure that is required for the engine to function well and last longer. All engines require some sort of lubricant or substance that will facilitate better movement in order for it not to have friction and not to generate too much heat. The lubricant is also necessary to minimize the scratching that should occur when there is no smooth, liquid surface that metal to metal surfaces encounter.

After the purchase of a brand new car, the owner is instructed to come back after a certain amount of mileage has been reached or a certain span of time has passed. The reason for this is so that the distributor of the vehicle can do the oil change procedure on the engine and to check on everything.
The procedure basically gets the engine used to the work that it will encounter once it is used. People drive to work, do the grocery, pick up their kids and go for long drives every day, or most of the time. The work that the engine will go through will continue for several years.

Whether we like it or not, the engine will always have metallic residue that will eventually shave off through the continuous movement and friction that occurs in it. Little metal residue or shavings, as well as some burnt oil, will eventually accumulate in the lubricant and darken it. This makes it more viscous and thicker than what it originally was. Thicker oil will not move as freely as it would if it were less viscous. A thick lubricant does not function well and can generate heat. This will overheat the engine, potentially causing it to explode in the worst case scenario, or just crack it when it is too hot already. A cracked or broken engine cannot be fixed anymore. Accidents can happen if the engine stalls or quits in the middle of the road. Oil may drip from the engine and cause large enough spills that can cause slicks on the road.

Factors that Delay

There are several reasonable factors that can delay the changing of the lubricant. Among these, the cost of the procedure can be daunting if the filter is to be changed as well. The cost is actually fairly small especially if you think about what you can save when it comes to repairing the engine due to the damages that happens when it malfunctions due to unchanged lubricants. Another factor that can delay the oil change is the lack of time. People are usually very busy and they often postpone the changing service until the very last minute or up until they sense something is wrong with the engine already. A busy schedule will be even busier if there is no vehicle to bring the owner to and from places.

Another reason for delaying an oil change is ignorance. There is no better word for this type of negligence than ignorance. Many people these days buy vehicles but lack the experience or skill to maintain them. People often have no idea that they need to actually have the car serviced for the changing of the lubricant as well as for other things that help to keep it in good running condition.

When their cars need an oil change, Jackson, TN, residents can trust in the services of local professionals. To find a local garage to take care of your automotive maintenance needs, please visit http://www.meineke-jacksontn.com/

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DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil

June 22, 2011 By ilblendo Leave a Comment

Oil changing is necessary for maintenance of your car. The cars with regular oil change face less engine problems. For oil change you need to have all the tools with you because when the oil is drained out of the engine, you cannot drive the car.

1. Buy out the manual that states the procedure of maintaining a car. The maintaining procedures vary with the car model so buy the manual that states the procedure for your car model. You can also borrow them from library if you do not wish to purchase them. They will be more helpful then articles.

2. Now you need a pan in which all the oil can be drained. You can take any container that you think will be enough space to hold all of the oil present in the car. The height of the container should be lower then the height of the car so that it can easily fit below the car. The capacity of oil that a car has depends on the size of the car. For a small car it would be around 4 quartz and for larger vehicles like truck it would be around 8 or more. This information is often mentioned in the manual.

3. Use a wrench to open the drain plug. It would be better if you have a set of wrenches that would be helpful in future as well.

4. If the plug is installed properly then it is better to purchase the oil filter wrench which is not expensive and will make job easy for you.

5. You can buy the reference books that are easily available at the stores of auto parts. For buying the right book you should know about your car model, year, etc.

6. If previously you have changed the oil through the commercial oil changers, they often paste a sticker that indicates the information about the oil and other things they have used. You may get help from it. But if you don’t then manuals are there to help you out.

7. You can now drain the oil if you have all the equipments with you. For getting best results you it is better to warm the engine this way if there is any suspension it will get mixed and would be drained out with the oil.

8. Now you have to locate the drain plug. It is mostly at the bottom of the engine and is in rectangular shape. If you are unable to find it, the manual guide will help you in locating the plug.

9. Now you need to drain the oil. The oil is hot and you need to be very careful that it does not spill all over the place. Unscrew the plug with the wrench and keep it pressed until it is fully unscrewed and then release it, this way it will not spill.

10. Allow the oil to drain out completely. Also make sure that there is no sand with the screws when you are putting them back. Avoid over tightening of the screws.

11. Remove the filter but do not forget to place the pan under it.

12. Grease properly the new rubber gasket before installing it. Do not use wrenches to screw it as you can tight it by your hands.

13. Fill the new filter with the oil. Keep checking it after pouring a small quantity each time so that it does not exceed the limit.

14. Now start the engine and keep it start for a while so that the oil gets warm. After a while shut the engine and check whether there is any leakage. You can use the dipstick to check the quantity.

These are the few steps that you can follow to change the oil. You don’t have to go to the market to get your oil change. You can save money by following these simple steps. Good Luck!

Written by fahadali

Leaving your oil changes to teenagers at the gas station? Never again! Watch this Viewdo and learn how to do it yourself…

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