Tuesday, August 4, 2015

The Best Practices for Changing Your Vehicle’s Oil



Regular oil changes play an integral role in keeping your engine’s various components lubricated and running smoothly. As a rule of thumb, oil changes are recommended for most vehicles every 3,000 miles. So if you do an average amount of driving, your car will need three to four oil changes a year. Rather than pay people to perform this simple maintenance task, why not do it yourself? The following tips will help you pull off your next oil change with finesse.   

Acquire the Proper Grade of Oil

To get the best possible performance out of your engine, you’ll need to give it the proper grade of oil. If you’re unclear on what type of oil is recommended for your vehicle, have a look at the car’s owner’s manual or visit the manufacturer’s website. There is also oil available that can improve engine performance during colder weather.  

 

Use a Garage Drip Pan

Changing oil can be a messy business. Have you ever wondered why all the mechanics you come across are practically caked in oil? Fortunately, a resilient garage drip pan can prove useful in preventing messes. Once the plug has been removed from your car’s oil pan, place the drip pan directly beneath it to catch the outgoing oil. Even after the bulk of the oil has been emptied, dripping will continue for a while, so don’t move the drip pan until you’re sure the oil pan is completely empty.

Take Personal Comfort Into Account

Using a car ramp to elevate your vehicle is sure to make the oil-emptying process much easier. This way, you’ll have considerably more wiggle room and be able to take advantage of natural lighting.
Without regular oil changes, you’re liable to see a decrease in engine performance, as well as a reduction in fuel efficiency. Habitually shrugging off oil changes can also lead to a prematurely kaput engine. In the interest of preserving your engine and saving money, consider changing your own oil.