Routine maintenance is possibly one of the most important responsibilities of owning a car. In fact, by performing basic maintenance, owners can prolong the life of their vehicle. These are a few suggestions that can be done by most people from the comfort of their own home.

Rotating or Changing Tires

Drivers who are able to rotate or change their own tires are capable of saving hundreds of dollars and many hours of waiting every couple of years. Avoid paying for an auto club or a mechanic. It is advised to first speak with a mechanic for information or even look online how to rotate your tires step by step.

Oil Changes

When your car is due for an oil change, you can either take it to the dealership, to a local oil change company, or change the oil on your own. With proper direction, changing your own oil is a minor upkeep that can save you money. By keeping your engine healthy you can also increase your vehicle’s miles per gallon. Treat your vehicle right to increase performance.

Lighting

Every few days you should check to make sure that all of the lights are working properly. Burnt out bulbs on a vehicle can result in traffic tickets and even pose as a safety risk. Check to see that your turn signals, headlights, high beams, tail lights, running lights, and that your break lights all work properly. Being able to replace burnt out light bulbs in your own car is key. These five minute tasks can save you both time – by avoiding taking your car in for service – and money – preventing potential tickets.

Hygiene

Washing your car every so often not only keeps it looking clean and sleek, but it also helps it run just a little bit smoother. Take your vehicle to the wash during the winter months and wash it yourself during the warmer months to save some money. Having a clean car, especially one with little to no dust inside, will keep you and your car healthier. After all, it is your vehicle; take pride in it. By participating in routine maintenance and having a cleaner look and feel to your vehicle, you will appreciate your car that much more.

In all, these minor changes can save you a lot of time and money. Instead of having to drive out of your way and waste your gas money to pay for minor changes, take the initiative yourself and truly make that car your own.

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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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Oil_change_image

It’s easy to find a place to perform an oil change. With ample mechanics, dealerships, and oil and lube locations to choose from, there is no shortage of options when your car is due for an oil change. But changing your oil can actually be fun and it’s a basic auto maintenance task that numerous drivers perform themselves. If you currently change your own oil or are considering saving money by performing your next oil change yourself, here are a few tips to consider.

Let your engine run for about 10 minutes before changing the oil

For best results, have let your engine run for a few minutes before your begin the oil change. Ideally, you want to oil to warm up, but you don’t want it to be piping hot warns one Providence used car dealer. When the old oil becomes warm, it makes it much easier to drain. Also, if the oil is cold, contaminants and sludge will not drain out with the oil. Letting the engine run ten to 15 minutes should be ample time to get things warmed up. Don’t let it run too long because the last thing you want is boiling hot oil draining out.

Don’t rush when draining oil

Some of the fast lube chains tend to make it seem like an oil change only requires a few minutes. While oil changes shouldn’t be an all day project, Worcester Nissan says it’s best to be patient when draining the oil from the engine. The reason you don’t was to rush, recommends Tinley Park Auto Repair, is simply because you need to ensure all the old oil is drained completely before adding new oil.

Quality oil makes a big

A basic oil change is an essential task for keeping your vehicle running properly in the long run. Because it’s vital to the long-term health of your vehicle it’s important to use only the best motor oil and filters to ensure the oil does its job. In addition, oil filters are notoriously made with low quality materials. To ensure proper filtration of debris and other contaminants out of your engine a used car dealer Portland ME advises drivers to avoid settling for inexpensive filters.

Use the filter before installation

An optional step to consider is filling the oil filter with oil prior to installation. Used Cars Salinas explain that after an oil change, the pump in the oil system has to force oil throughout the system and into the filter. If the new filter already has fresh oil in it, it will require less pressure which in turn means less wear and tear on the engine's oil system. If you choose to take this step, ensure the mounting pad has been cleaned to prevent any seepage.

Don’t force the filter or the plug

Don’t feel like it’s absolutely necessary to make the oil filter or the oil plug too tight. This is a common mistake says Honda Parts Salinas that could cause problems when over tightened. If the gasket surrounding the oil filter receives too much pressure, it increases the risk of leaks. In addition if the threads on the oil pan receive damage from over tightening the plug, you may have to replace the oil pan which is a very costly repair. Just remember to tighten the filter and the oil plug slowly and gently and you should be just fine.

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Extend the life of your car by following these vehicle maintenance tips.

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Oil changes are one of the most important auto maintenance requirements. But unfortunately, an oil change is often seen as a low priority in one’s busy schedule. Changing the oil in your car every 3,000 miles may seem like too much, but it is an important step in ensuring your engine remains running its best. Going 4 months or 4,000 miles won’t hurt your engine, but it is not good to get in the habit of putting off an oil change, which is something that can easily be done yourself!

To begin changing your oil, gather all necessary tools.  The most important items to have are jack stands, a socket wrench set, and also a pan to drain the oil into. Once you have everything you need, turn your car on and let it run for about 10 minutes. Having the engine warmed up will allow the oil to drain a bit faster says Ashland Ford. Your garage may be the best place to change your oil. Either way, you’ll want to perform an oil change on level ground.

Next, you’ll want to crawl underneath your vehicle and locate the oil drain plug, which is most likely near the center of the engine. For the exact location, Richmond VA oil change specialists recommend checking your owner’s manual first. Once you have your oil pan underneath your plug and remove it using the socket wrench. Stay clear as you remove the plug as the oil will be hot!

Once all of the oil is drained, replace the plug and tighten with your socket wrench. Now you’ll want to replace the oil filter as well. Again consult the owner’s manual to find its location. Afterwards, use a funnel to add in your new oil. Oil capacity is generally around four or five courts and again your owner’s manual will tell you the exact measurement. Once you’ve added the new oil, Honda Parts Los Angeles recommends letting your car run for a couple minutes. Check your dipstick and add more oil if necessary. Last but not least, dispose of oil properly and bring to a recycling center or an auto body shop.

Oil changes are not complicated, but whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it, make sure you do it regularly. Also, a quality oil or synthetic oil is ideal to improve longevity.

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We finally covered oil changes so look out for other do it yourself car mainteance tips and tricks.

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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