Some people in life like to get their hands dirty, and others just like to spend money. If you decide to change oil yourself in your car or truck, just know you will get grease under your fingernails and oil all over your hands. You will get your tools dirty and will sweat in a hot garage for about half an hour.
Others, however, prefer to pay the price to change oil and be done with it. It's clean, it's fast and for the most part, it's professionally handled. The average price to change oil is about $30, though if you hire an unsavory mechanic the price might go up.
Another consideration is whether the mechanic is a professional and will do a good job. Sometimes if you pay a mechanic to change oil he will do the job for a fair price?but then later you find out there's an oil leak. Oil leak if you're lucky! Hire a bad mechanic and you could even have serious engine trouble.
When hiring a mechanic, make sure good communication is established, a set price including labor, parts and any extra services, and that the mechanic is reliable and respected in the community. Does he have his own shop and does he do plenty of business with satisfied customers?
Along with the worry of hiring a good mechanic, the $30 charge is simply too much for some drivers and they decide to change oil in their vehicle for free?with just a little bit of effort and one spent afternoon. They save roughly a $100 a year and have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right.
There are other issues to consider when you decide to change oil in your car yourself. Do you have quality tools? Do you really know what you're doing? While you can learn how to change oil over the Internet, to do it properly takes study and practice. Don't skimp on $30 if it means sending someone unqualified to do a professional's job. Your car could suffer because of it and wind up costing you hundreds of dollars to repair.
Another factor to consider is oil disposal. The safest way to dispose of your oil is to keep it properly contained and find a local shop to take it off your hands. Don't just dig a hole in the ground, toss it in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The EPA can give out large fines for improper oil disposal.
Would you like to know how to change oil yourself? Ask a mechanic you know to teach you. While simple instructions can be found online, it's a procedure you really have to understand and perform correctly if you want your car to function properly.
They would rather you bring it to them on a regular basis so they can charge you for all the other maintenance services they provide.And these are services you can do yourself as well.This article will tell you how to change oil in a quick and easy way.
You will need to go to your auto parts store to get 5 quarts of name brand oil.You also need to purchase a very high quality oil filter, don't go with the cheaper ones.To remove the oil filter you will need either an oil filter wrench or a metal strap wrench. Also get something to catch the oil with, preferably something that will seal.
Ok?now you are ready to get to work.Make sure you are able to fit under your car.You may need to jack it up just a little.
Have a buddy there in case of an accident.Before you climb under your car, remove the oil cap.Now to get under for the fun stuff.
You will want to place the oil tray under the oil plug.At the lowest point of the pan, you will see the plug, remove this.The oil will drain out into your tray, it will take a few min.
After you have drained the oil, replace the oil plug.Do not screw it in too tight.Now you want to move your drain pan under the oil filter.Oil will leak as you pull the filter out.
With your wrench, turn the oil filter counter clockwise.Once it is loose enough, remove it using your hands.As I said earlier, there will be some oil that will come out.
On your new filter, you will see a rubber gasket.Take some of your new oil and completely coat the gasket.This will make it easier to remove on the next oil change.
Time to screw the new oil filter on using only your hands.Now you are ready to screw in the new oil filter.Turn it clockwise until you feel it tight.Now you can use your filter wrench to turn it another ? to ? turn to seal it.Now you can come out from under your car.Time to fill up with your new oil.You are ready to put your new oil in.You should use the entire 5 quarts.
Replace your oil cap and then start your car, let it run for about 5 minutes.After that, check your dip stick. You did it, you really learned by yourself.With nice clean oil, you are ready to go.
Both Dan Sherman & Jessicat are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dan Sherman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Desserts and Aerobics. Dan Sherman has started an information based website to offer advice on topics similar to those discussed above. Visit him at his website by (or go to. Dan Sherman's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.