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Oil change tips and unique oil change advice from a master mechanic on changing your engine oil yourself.
Changing your own engine oil has many advantages over going to your oil change quick lube center. The oil change service is a simple operation, but is very important to your vehicle's longevity.
The quick lube center is in the business of doing oil change services extremely fast. This usually involves the oil change mechanic, rushing to complete the repairs as soon as possible.
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The type specified by the vehicle manufacturer in your owner's manual. For most passenger car and light truck gasoline engines today, it's any oil that meets the American Petroleum Institutes "SH" rating.
As for the viscosity of oil to use, most new engines today require a multiviscosity 5W-30 oil for all-round driving. The lighter 5W-30 oils contain friction reducing additives that help improve fuel economy, and also allow the oil to quickly reach critical upper valvetrain components when a cold engine is first started. Most engine wear occurs immediately after a cold start, so it's important to have oil that is thin enough to circulate easily -- especially at cold temperatures.
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Because the internal combustion engine is an inherently dirty design. But with the right controls and add-on devices, it can run exceptionally clean -- not as clean as a zero emissions vehicle like an electric car, but clean enough so as not to pose a serious threat to the environment. |
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The catalytic converter is our main line of defense against air pollution, so it's important to make sure it is functioning efficiently and passing exhaust without creating undue restrictions that might reduce performance, fuel economy or emissions. That's one of the reasons for periodic vehicle emissions testing. If the converter isn't working, you won't pass the test. |
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Not unless you are willing to risk electrical damage or a fire! A fuse is a protection device that is designed to blow if the amp load in a circuit exceeds the "safe" limit for that circuit. Fuses are built with a specific amp rating which is marked on the fuse. The wiring and design load of the circuit dictates the size of fuse that's required to protect the circuit. Circuits that draw a lot of power need fuses with high amp ratings (20 or 30 amps) while those that use minimal power require smaller fuses (5 to 15 amps). |
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You e driving along and suddenly your Check Engine Light comes on. What does it mean? Check Engine Light, Check Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine Management Light, whatever you want to call it, simply means that your vehiclecomputer system has detected a problem. |
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There is lots of advice on where to service one's vehicle. Many argue that local shops are best, and that you only need to go to the dealer for warranty work and recalls. Others state that dealers are the real experts even though they're expensive. These arguments are interesting, but do little to clarify the myths and facts of dealership service versus local shop service. |
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The long arm of car repair insurance doesn't stop at extended warranties or tire road hazard insurance. Marketing gurus have found all sorts of knick knacks to insure. Among the top are ding and dent protection plans. Ding and dent insurance is growing steadily, and addresses those unsightly shopping cart and parking lot dings. |
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You're driving along and suddenly your Check Engine Light comes on. What does it mean? Check Engine Light, Check Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine Management Light, whatever you want to call it, simply means that your vehicle's computer system has detected a problem.
Depending on the year, make, and model, it may be related to the engine, the transmission, even the brakes and suspension. There are literally hundreds of reasons a Check Engine Light may appear. The following question and answer discussion will clarify the truth about Check Engine Lights... |
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There is lots of advice on where to service one's vehicle. Many argue that local shops are best, and that you only need to go to the dealer for warranty work and recalls. Others state that dealers are the real experts even though they're expensive. These arguments are interesting, but do little to clarify the myths and facts of dealership service versus local shop service. |
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