In the last post, we covered general tips and tricks for performing an oil change yourself. While there are many locations such as Kansas City Auto Repair that are more than capable of providing this service quickly, it’s sometimes a little more rewarding to perform this routine type of auto maintenance yourself. To compliment our previous posts, here’s a video to better illustrate the steps you’ll need to take for a quick lube.

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More video repair tips and tutorials will be featured soon.

Changing your car’s oil on your own is a relatively simple task that will help you save some extra cash. Purchasing your own motor oil and oil filter typically runs about $20 at any auto parts store, but many oil and lube facilities charge much more than that. The added cost is the convenience of not having to jack up your car and get dirty, but performing your own oil change can be educational, save time, and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Getting dirty while change your oil won’t sound appealing to plenty of drivers. But getting in the trenches appeals to people who want to take pride in do-it-yourself maintenance. While most do-it-yourself oil changes can be done quickly and painlessly, Tuscaloosa Auto Repair says it’s important to remember that oil is vital to the health of your vehicle. Honda Parts Salinas points out that forgetting an important step or making a careless mistake can easily cost more time and money. For those performing an oil change for the first time, it’s important to consult a tutorial or have a guide with you before you begin.

An oil change consists of draining old oil, adding fresh oil, and replacing the dirty oil filter. While automotive technology seems to be constantly changing, not much has changed when it comes to this type of vehicle maintenance. If you’ve performed an oil change on a car years ago, Hyundai Service Millville suggests that you will be perfectly capable of changing your oil again.

A common concern for those considering a do-it-yourself oil change is whether such a procedure will void the vehicle’s warranty. Luckily, if you change the oil and filter in the recommended fashion, you should have no problem. However, Minneapolis Ford Service recommends keeping receipts and records to indicate that maintenance was performed.

If you absolutely want to have someone else perform your oil change, there are plenty of options, including a car dealer, a lube service facility, or just about any repair shop. Each location varies in terms of cost and time required for the oil change to be performed explains Toyota Quick Lube Costa Mesa. Some dealerships have quick lube facilities that service all makes and models so you may want to do a bit of research to find the right service location.

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Tires image

Tires can frustratingly be pricey, but the value of a quality tire should not be ignored. As the only safety device on your car that is actually touching the road, your tires play a large role in helping avoid accidents. In addition to increasing traction, tires also affect stopping distances and fuel economy. Let’s look at some of the issues that will affect the health of your tires.

First, if your tires are old, they should not be trusted. Manufacturers add dates to the tire’s sidewall to indicate age. If your tires are 5-10 years old, Cadillac Service Greensburg suggests that you’ll want to consider getting newer tires to ensure the integrity of the tire has not been compromised. The date is also something to consider when buying new tires, as some tire companies have been known to pawn off tires that have been sitting a bit too long.

Under inflated tires are by no means a minor problem. With more tread touching the road, they tend to run at higher temperatures than an adequately inflated tire says Hartford CT Tire Center. This added fiction could increase wear and exacerbate damage to the rubber. Additionally, overinflated tires can also impair safety as on road traction will likely decline dramatically. Both scenarios will also negatively affect your vehicle’s fuel economy.

Tires are made of rubber, which not only deteriorates from age, but Auto Repair Richmond adds they also deteriorates from ultraviolet light and chemicals in the road. If you have a garage or carport, use it to ensure your tires are not exposed to unnecessary amounts of sunlight. There are also a number of affordable products available at any automotive parts store such as Mazda parts Salinas that can clean tires and protect them from harmful elements.

Car tires are not invincible, and they remain susceptible to harmful debris on the road. If you sustain a puncture or nail in the tire, get it plugged immediately! A plug can prevent the tire from a potential blowout warns Nissan Parts Chattanooga, which would render the tire completely useless. A plug is a cheap fix to a potentially costly problem. As with all of these issues, remain proactive to ensure years of trouble-free wear.

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Transmission fluid dipstick

Just like most components in your vehicle, the transmission requires a fluid to keep is running properly. The transmission fluid level is important to keep track of, as this fluid keeps the transmission shifting properly. Without adequate amounts of transmission fluid, the transmission may not operate as smoothly as possible.

The first step in checking your transmission fluid is locating the dipstick. Similar to checking your vehicle’s oil level, the oil change Richmond VA specialists suggest that the transmission dipstick is also a way to ensure the appropriate level of transmission fluid. When locating the transmission fluid dipstick, you’ll want to look for its handle, which will either be T-shaped or have a ring.

Similar to checking the oil dipstick, you’ll want to take the transmission dipstick out and immediately wipe it clean, place it back in its housing, and then pull it out again. Then, hold the dipstick so that the end is easily visible.  The fluid will cling to the dipstick, helping to indicate the transmission fluid level. Discount Toyota Service San Diego says the indicators should be on the dipstick, as lines or words. The transmission fluid dipstick also has two sets of indicators, one for providing a reading when the vehicle is cold and another when the vehicle is hot. Each set will allow you to see whether the transmission fluid level is full or low. If it’s low, you’ll need to add more transmission fluid.

Lastly, return the transmission fluid dipstick to its original housing and make sure it’s firmly back in place. Checking transmission fluid is a very simple process that any driver can do. Checking it often can help ensure your vehicle’s transmission will operate effectively in the long run, recommends one auto body shop Richmond. If your transmission is repeatedly showing a low fluid level, you may need to have it inspected for leaks, which could be costly if left unchecked.

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Before draining the fluid in the radiator, you’ll want to let the engine cool down first -  an important step that Auto Body Louisville says is often forgotten! Leave the car turned off for several hours to help ensure the engine compartment isn’t hot. One reason for this is that when the engine and radiator is hot, the pressure inside goes up and opening the cap could lead to severe injury for you or for those around you.

The next step is to detach the battery before draining the radiator. This will ensure that the fan in the front of the radiator doesn’t suddenly turn on while you have your hands around the radiator and will help prevent any injury that could occur. Albuquerque used cars dealers also suggests that you’ll want to prepare a plastic container before hand that the coolant could drain into. Make sure it is a sturdy container that can safely and securely store the harmful fluid, recommends Body Shop Chicago. You may consider placing a blanket or tarp over the engine to prevent any coolant from spraying on to other engine components.

After these precautions are taken, you may then open the radiator cap which is located at the top portion of the radiator. Land Rover Service Aurora says will help reduce the pressure in the radiator and help the fluid flow out when it’s drained from the bottom of the radiator. Then, remove the plug from the bottom of the radiator and empty fluids into the container.

Do not move the container until all fluid appears to have been emptied from the container warns Newark Dodge dealers. Using a hose, you may want to flush the radiator out with water to remove and other debris that may be present within the radiator. Once it has drained again completely, place the plug back into the bottom of the radiator and fill the radiator with coolant or anti-free from the top based on the manufacturer-recommended amount. After the radiator is filled, place the cap back on, connect the battery, and then check for any leaks. After that, the last step is to take the container of radiator fluid to your nearest recycling facility for proper disposal.

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Oil Change

Oil is a crucial component for your engine. While it operates, the oil lubricates important moving parts, such as the cylinders. Without this necessary lubricant, your engine will generate too much friction and will cause serious damage to your vehicles engine. To ensure you engine is properly lubricated, it’s generally recommended that drivers replace their standard oil about every 3,000 miles, but synthetic oil is usually good for a bit longer than that. Because this is such a common part of the engine’s operation, you may want to consider checking the oil often yourself.

The first thing you’ll want to do before checking the oil in your vehicle is to make sure your vehicle’s engine is warm. According to Louisiana Honda dealers, those seeking oil change Shreveport LA, should pay attention to this closely. This is because oil pressure can give different readings when depending on the temperature. If the engine is cool, it’s typically not as thick. Next, you’ll want to ensure your car is parked on an even surface and turn the engine off.

When trying to find the oil dipstick, look for piece of metal protruding from the engine, near the spark plugs. There is usually a hook at the engine. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it off completely with a paper towel or shop rag, a step many oil change Burnsville MN do-it-yourself oil changers admit forgetting! The next step will be to dip it back into the dipstick shaft and pull it back out again, holding it out horizontally. Looking at the pointed end of the dipstick, there should be lines that indicate oil level. If the line of oil resides just below the full line, you may want to add a small amount of oil using a funnel. Some dipsticks differ in terms of how many lines they have. If there are two separate lines, for example, you’ll want to make sure that the oil level is just between the two lines on the dipstick.

To add oil, unscrew the oil cap, which is usually near the very top of the engine. If you need to add oil, stresses Used Cars Richmond, you’ll want to recheck the dipstick afterwards to make sure you’ve added enough oil. If you’re oil level is low and you need to add more, try to add oil only in small increments as its easier to put more if need be, but more difficult to take excess oil out. Once you’ve added the appropriate amount of oil, replace the oil cap.

Don’t forget to always check your owner’s manual when performing maintenance on your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will also be able to tell you the exact type of oil you need for your vehicle. Should you need any specific parts that are required, there are ways to find Toyota parts and other components online. Another thing to keep in mind is that the oil system on your vehicle is a closed system, meaning that although the oil is pumped throughout the engine, the oil doesn’t actually leave the system. If your vehicle is repeatedly low on oil, warns Boston Auto Repair, that may be an indication that there’s an oil leak. If a leak is detected, it’s always best to get the leak repaired as soon as possible to prevent extensive and expensive repairs later on.

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