Consumer confidence in auto repair shops may be higher than you assume. According to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center (based on 1,699 random, nationwide telephone interviews of adult car owners surveyed from November 3-7, 2011), vehicle owners put a lot of faith in their chosen car repair shops:
·-83% of those involved in repair decisions saying they are confident they’ll get the right car maintenance and repair work done for the right price;
·-85% were satisfied with the quality and pricing of their auto repair facility;
·-91% trust their car repair shop;
· - Over 50% completely trust their auto repair shop;
The survey also found:
· - 37% take their cars to independent repair shops;
· -30% take their car to dealerships;
·-11% take their cars to national brand repair chains;
Maintenance and Repair:
The survey found that, on average, owners plan to keep their current car for another five years (at a time when the average car in America is 9 years old). The survey showed that 98% of car owners depend upon proper maintenance and repair to keep their vehicle operating properly:
·-77% take their car in for regular maintenance and repair;
·-21% are “do-it-yourself” maintenance and repair car owners
Even with a high level of trust, consumers do their research before bringing the car to the shop, and many wish they had more information available. The survey showed 56% wished they had more information going into the auto repair shop.
That is why we put primary emphasis on informing our customers of the “whys, hows, whats and whens” of your car maintenance and repairs. Hillside Tire is the first tire and auto service business in Salt Lake City to obtain the “Gephardt Approved” designation. Being “Gephardt Approved” means consumer advocate Bill Gephardt has investigated our business, trusts us and is proud to endorse us. In fact, Bill Gephardt has been a customer of Hillside Tire for over the past 5 years. Bill backs his endorsement with his own money by providing “up to $1000 money back” guarantee, if we fail to live up to our promise.
We look forward to earning all of your tire, auto repair, and maintenance business for years to come. We have 5 locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley to serve you - Cottonwood Heights, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy and Draper.
Unexpected auto repairs mean unexpected car repair bills that can drain your precious budget. Tires are one of the most important parts on a car, and they can also need replacement at the most inconvenient time financially. That is why many tire and auto repair facilities offer payment options for auto service in addition to accepting your personal credit card or checks. Here are 3 financing options for auto repairs, with descriptions and their advantages:
1. 90 Days (or 6 Months)/12 Months/18 Months) Same as Cash: This is actually an application for a personal credit card, with the ability to have you pay the entire balance off within the allotted time (90 Days, 6 Months, 12 Months, 18 Months or longer), without having any interest or fee charges added to the original car repair or tire bill.
If your credit rating is approved (usually these credit companies accept “B” and “C” rated credit, not just the excellent credit scores), you will be asked to make minimum scheduled payments within the allotted time.
NOTE: If the entire balance is not paid off within that time, interest charges are applied on the entire original repair bill, not just the remaining balance. And, the interest rate is usually higher than standard credit card rates.
2. Company Credit Card: Many companiesoffer their own credit card, financed through a major bank or financial institution. The Goodyear credit card, backed by The Citi Group, can be acquired by filling in basic contact information and income levels on a short application. The total credit line and interest rates are determined based on the applicant's credit report.
Advantages of Goodyear Credit Card.
·The credit card is accepted at over 4,500 service stations across the country, and is accepted for costs from both tires and auto repair service.
·There is no annual fee associated with the Goodyear credit card, so financing a tire purchase is an affordable option.
·The grace period is 25 days, during which no interest charges accrue on new purchases each month.
·There are several payment options available for Goodyear credit card holders.
·Users can view their current balance online and make payments towards that balance with just a click of the mouse.
·Payment processing is also available by mail or by phone for the convenience of the user. Individuals can log in or register for online services at this Goodyear credit card link.
·Signing up for a Goodyear credit card is quick and easy.
·
Goodyear credit card holders are entitled to promotional offers and discounts directly from Goodyear. For example, the current promotion offers double the tire rebate to you if you use your Goodyear credit card, as opposed to your personal credit card.
The Goodyear credit card is an ideal option, allowing individuals to get the tires that they need for their vehicle when they are needed without a hassle. Remember, your credit rating is checked and approved for this card.
3. No Credit Check Financing: Many places including Hillside Tire in West Jordan, offer a third alternative-an in-store, no credit check financing option. This is ideal if you have poor credit, but a steady flow of income to make the payments necessary.
With this no credit check financing, just a few necessary qualifiers-such as a bank checking account-can allow you to get your auto repair or new tire purchases done now, and make equal payments over the next 90 days to pay off the entire balance.
Automatic payments are taken out at these scheduled times. See the Hillside Tire store in West Jordan for more details on this convenient easy pay option to traditional credit cards or “90 Days Same As Cash” programs.
When you need tires, auto service or maintenance on your car or truck, but do not have the money at present, use these above options to pay for your auto services. Safe driving is a good investment-complete your car repairs with financing options at Hillside Tire and Service in the Salt Lake City and Valley area.
Cars and trucks are a source of carbon monoxide. Increasingly advanced systems over the years have made it possible to cut this pollution by up to ninety percent, and today’s vehicles produce far less carbon monoxide fumes and emissions than vehicles from forty years ago. Even though carbon monoxide levels have been reduced over the years, it is therefore important that car drivers are aware of how they can reduce the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning from their vehicles. Here are the quick FAQS on carbon monoxide and your car:
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.
Where is CO found?
CO is found in combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.
You may find that your symptoms improve whenever you are away from the car, but come back or become worse whenever you are in the car. This is a definite sign that you should get your vehicle checked out for CO leakage.
Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.
How does CO poisoning work?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.
Tips to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from your Car:
1. Get your exhaust checked out for leaks. Mufflers, tail pipes, catalytic converters, exhaust manifolds can all leak CO gas into your car or truck.
2. If you keep your car in a garage at home, you should never leave the engine running idle in an enclosed space. This can cause a build up of carbon monoxide fumes in the garage area, and can also cause CO pollution to seep in to the house, which poses a risk to everyone in the home.
3. If you must keep the car idling for heat inside your car, crack open a window for ventilation. Fresh air is your best defense against excessive CO gases affecting your body.
4. Have your vehicle checked for excessive CO emissions during the winter months, as this could help to protect you and others. You should bear in mind that vehicles tend to give off more carbon monoxide emission during the colder months because more fuel is required in order to start and run the engine during cold weather.
It is vital that motorists take the same precautions to avoid carbon monoxide pollution and poisoning when in their vehicles, as they would in the home or office.
Carbon monoxide is still as deadly when the leakage or pollution is from your vehicle as it is from any other source, and without taking steps to prevent, identify and reduce this pollution you could suffer serious illness, injury or death.
Do not let the Utah winter affect your car or truck-get your vehicle's charging system checked-for FREE- at one of our 5 locations. Whether you are in Midvale, West Jordan, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, West Valley City, Murray, or Salt Lake City, we have a location close to you.The whole "starting yourcar in cold weather" thing can be a big problem for Salt Lake City and Utah drivers. We check your car charging system: car battery, starter, alternator and regulator, for FREE at any of our 5 locations.
Everyone should be cautious about traveling in extreme winter weather. Cold, snow and ice are demanding on cars, drivers and passengers. Cold affects car performance-metal, rubber and other materials. It can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s battery by at least 50 percent.It can freeze tires and keep them flat on the bottom for at least the first half-mile of travel. It can thicken your car’s oils and lubricants, making the engine work too hard.
Most importantly, extreme winter weather can threaten your life-especially when your car suffers an unexpected roadside breakdown, or you are trapped in your car due to severe winter storms. Watch the video on winter car kit preparedness, and follow these safety tips to stay safe in a roadside breakdown or winter storm:
1. Stay in your vehicle. It's vitally important that you stay in your vehicle, warm and dry, protected from the weather. Trying to dig your way out of a ditch, or attempting to walk back to town can be dangerous-even fatal. Use your cell phone and call your family friends, or call 911 to let them know your location and troubles- then sit tight. 2. Do not leave the engine running. If it's extremely cold you can idle the engine for a few minutes at a time. IMPORTANT: Make sure-BEFORE you idle the engine-that the exhaust system is not damaged, and the tail pipe is clear of snow and debris. Why? Carbon monoxide can enter your car’s interior, and sneak up on you without warning. One minute you're feeling normal and the next you're unconscious. Almost 60% of the unintentional deaths caused by carbon monoxide are from motor vehicle exhaust. So don't use the engine for heat -- use your head - and your winter survival kit (tip #4 ). Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: 3.Ventilate the car. If it will be awhile before help to arrive, avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning by opening a downwind window (on the side away from the wind and blowing snow). Lower it about half of an inch. If you stocked a candle lantern in your emergency road kit, the candles burn for 8 hours, and will raise the temperature in the car 8 to 10 degrees. 4. Pack an emergency road kit. Preparedness can save your life. Putting together a road emergency kit takes time, effort and expense-but your life is worth it, right?!? In an earlier blog, we highlighted the 25 items you should keep in an emergency travel kit. Again, for the winter months, and unexpected winter roadside breakdowns, make sure you have in your car these items:
·Warm clothes(socks, hat, gloves, long underwear and fleece or wool layers)
·Sleeping bag or blankets.
·Goggles (to see in snow or ice storms)
·Boots (snow boots particularly)
·Flares, flashlight, battery powered radio,
·Rope, nylon cords, or similar lines. ( use the rope to tie off a life line to your car so that you can find the way back to your car-visibility can be as low as 12 inches in a storm)
·Food snacks and roasted nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars, etc. sure taste good in a situation like this -and will provide the protein and fat you'll need to keep warm.
·“Backpack Meals”- buy the kind that you cook in its own package - all you do is add hot water
·Water (you should keep 2 large bottles in your kit). Drink the water sparingly (not just to conserve, but also to reduce those inevitable “go to the bathroom” moments). But don't let yourself get dehydrated.
·First Aid kit
·Tools: screwdriver, needle nose pliers, channel lock plier, crescent wrench)
·Camp Heat, Sterno or emergency stove (to melt snow and heat water)
·Coffee can, pot, or bread pan (to melt snow in)
In the rare event that you're trapped for more than 24 hours, things get a little trickier, but you'll do just fine-with your remaining emergency kit contents. When you run out of water and dry food, you'll have to do some cooking- outside if possible. If the snow and wind have stopped blowing hard, gear up and head outside. Dig out a shelf in the snow, line it with your floor mats and set up the stove.
If the storm is still blowing, clear out an area in the car, protect it with the floor mats, and set up a makeshift kitchen. Fill the coffee can, pot or pan with snow and fire up the stove – carefully. Pour the first pot of melted snow in your bottle. If you're hungry, you'll have to melt more snow and heat the water to near boiling. Open one of your backpack meals and enjoy the nourishment.
Help should be just around the corner-severe storms don't usually last much longer than a day–and you can survive 4 or 5 more if you're prepared.
Get your car or truck ready for the winter-have your charging system checked-for FREE- at one of our 5 locations. Whether you are in Midvale, West Jordan, Riverton, South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, West Valley City, Murray, or Salt Lake City, we have a location close to you.The whole "starting yourcar in cold weather" thing can be a big problem for Salt Lake City and Utah drivers. We check your car charging system: car battery, starter, alternator and regulator, for FREE at any of our 5 locations.
Should motorists change their vehicle's oil every 3,000 miles? This question has different answers, depending upon a number of different conclusions. The video shows why our views of the "3 month 3,000 mile" traditional oil change intervals need to be adjusted. You will have to sort out the information to determine what is best for you and your car. We objectively outline the 4 different perspectives:
1. What auto manufactures say in their owner's manual.
2. What your specific driving habits are.
3. The ecology and environment.
4. Your car repair and service economy.
Here is our explanation: 1. What auto manufactures say in their owner's manual.
A recent survey by CalRecycle indicates almost 15 million Californians change their motor oil every 3,000 miles or less. However, many cars can go farther. For example, Toyota recommends an oil change every 5,000 miles for a 2005 Tacoma pickup, while General Motors recommends 7,500 miles for its 2007 Chevrolet Malibu.
If you wish to follow the owners' manual (like you do for your oven, lawnmower, television and coffee maker), you need to read the suggested oil change intervals in the owners manual that apply to "severe driving conditions". What does this mean? 2. What your specific driving habits are.
Pay attention to the video portion from 1:20 to 2:35. Matt Snider explains for those GM cars equipped with instrument panel displays of oil life consumption, how these different driving conditions affect oil life.
Just as an athlete's metabolism differs from that of a pre-school student and a senior citizen, your car's engine (and thus, the engine oil that lubricates it) is affected by the driving conditions to which you submit your car. Severe driving conditions include:
Extreme weather temperatures. "Severe" driving includes extreme hot (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, New York City, Dallas, Miami, gates of Hell-you get the idea) and extreme cold (Lake Tahoe, Salt Lake City, Boise, Montana, Chicago, New York City, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Canada, North Pole, Antartica, Superman's hideaway-you get the picture). Ambient temperatures-cold and hot-break down engine oil at a faster rate than moderate temperatures. So, unless you drive in Ecuador ( 65 degrees 12 months a year), chances are you drive in temperatures that fit severe driving.
Stop and go city driving. Yes, your average, every day, "go-to-the-mall/go-to-the-store/go-on-a-date/take-the-kids-to-their-games" kind of driving is considered "severe". Why? Because, you stop and go! Accelerating, braking, speeding up, slowing down-all of that produces undue strain on your engine (and engine oil), than cruising along at 65 MPH (or 85 MPH with your radar detectors) along the smooth open freeways and highways (LA and Orange County California freeways excepted) of America.
High RPM driving. Notice we (and Matt in the video) did not say MPH (miles per hour), but rather RPM (engine Revolutions Per Minute). Young people in their Camaros, adults in their Porsches and Lamborghinis, and wannabe NASCAR. Indy Car, and "Gone In 60 Seconds" drivers who rev their engines down city streets are considered severe driving conditions (but you already knew that!).
3. The ecology and environment. Reduced motor oil consumption reduces the risk of environmental damage. Changing your motor oil less frequently preserves natural resources. So, if you are focused more on "green, eco-friendly" than on car maintenance, extending the time between oil changes makes sense for you. 4. Your car repair and service economy. How long will you keep the car? Are you buying or leasing? Only have money for gas (2 gallons is a "fill-up" in your world)? Long term maintenance costs are reduced with regular oil changes-a little oil change bill several times a year prevents major engine repair bills down the road. So, if you want to keep your car for awhile, and not make new car or lease payments forever (Detroit would be happy if you did, though), then take care of your car's engine, and change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.
But, hey, if you are leasing your car, will give it back to the dealer in 3 years, get another "new" one to lease, do you really care what the engine will be like for the next poor sap who happens to buy it at an auction or used car lot? Probably doesn't tweak you at all. Then, drive it into the ground! Forget the oil, anti-freeze, even windshield washer fluid (well, maybe not the washer fluid-that is only $1.99 a gallon)-you can save your money for more important needs (like the RedBox video rentals).
Don't want to look in your glove compartment for your owner's manual information? Wonder where the glove compartment is in your car? Then log on to http://www.CheckYourNumber.org to find recommended oil change intervals for popular vehicle models.
Watch this safe winter driving video, and follow these 34 tips on driving in winter conditions-snowy, icy road conditions, as digested from our personal experiences driving in Utah, the National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services, Edmunds and various Auto clubs across the country:
5 Tips Before You Take On the Public Snowy Roads: 1. Put snow tires on your vehicle, and get a good grip of the roads. To have adequate snow traction, a tire requires at least 6/32-inch deep tread. High-performance "summer" tires have little or no grip in snow. Even "all-season" tires don't necessarily have great snow traction: Some do, some don't. Our advice for Utah drivers is to use snow tires. They have a "snowflake on the mountain" symbol on the sidewall, meaning they meet a tire-industry standard for snow traction.
Yeah we know, you think that it is just another service expense-two sets of tires, two sets of change outs every year. And, you are right. But, would you rather be “wrong” on the road? What will that “cost” you?? 2. Practice in a snow covered lot. It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. 3. Before you go, listen to the radio for announcements about accidents, road closings, and road advisories. Call your local highway patrol if this information is not available on the radio. 4.Plan your route ahead of time to avoid any roads that become dangerous during bad weather. If a road is closed or blocked, do not attempt to continue on this route. 5.Let someone know your route so if you do become stranded, your family can let authorities know where to start looking. 15 Tips For Driving safely on icy roads
Safe driving distance from other vehicles. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Windshield wipers and lights should operate safely and properly..
Run the air-conditioner. In order to remove condensation and frost from the interior of windows, engage your air-conditioner and select the fresh air option: It's fine to set the temperature on "hot." Many cars automatically do this when you choose the defrost setting.
Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
Use gentle impulses while driving: accelerate gently, turn slowly, and brake carefully and early. Avoid unexpected quick movements that could put you in a spin by leaving ample room between you and the next car. Anticipate turns, stops, and lane changes well before they occur.
Conversely, don't go too slow. The car will need some momentum to be able to push through heavier snow without getting stuck.
Steer clear of trucks. They are heavier than cars and need considerably longer stopping distances. Their tires also tend to spray snow and rain into parallel lanes, further hindering your visibility.
Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
Remember the tough spots. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Watch carefully for "black ice." If the road looks slick, it probably is. This is especially true with one of winter's worst hazards: "black ice." Also called "glare ice," this is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel.
Do not “over steer”. A slick section in a turn causes your front tires to lose grip, the common — but incorrect — reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel. If your steering wheel does not turn the car, rotate the wheel back the opposite direction, and allow for correction when the tires pass through the icy patch
5 Tips: If your rear wheels skid...
Take your foot off the accelerator.
Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
2 Tips: If your front wheels skid...
Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
6 Tips: If you get stuck...
Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
#34: The best tip for winter driving: Sometimes it's best to stay home, or at least remain where you are until snow plows have done their work. If you crash on a snowy or icy road, you'll certainly be late — or worse. But since you can't always call in to work claiming a "snow day," it's better to learn how to correctly deal with driving in the snow.
Regardless of your driving skill or vehicle preparation, there are some winter conditions that can't be conquered. But these tips may help prevent snowy and icy roads from ruining your day.
Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your auto repair technician later on.
Oil is a magical substance. Oil is used in everything from plastics to fertilizers to fuel and, of course, lubrication. When it comes to your engine, oil is the key to making it last. Without lubrication, the metal parts would just grind together and seize up in a matter of minutes.
So, what is it that engine oil specifically does for your car?
1. Keeps the engine cooler. It does this as a matter of design. The design of the engine and the layout of the oil system allows it to actually cool and draw heat from the engine. It does this because the oil collects in the oil pan. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine. As the car is moving, air rushes by the oil pan. The cooled oil then circulates up through the engine and siphons off some of the heat being produced. A car still needs a coolant system, but oil definitely plays a part in the process.
2. Oil in your engine cuts down on friction. Oil is a lubricant. You only need to rub it between your fingers to know this. (Try rubbing your palms together as fast as you can for one minute-how does it feel? Now, put hand lotion between those palms, and try it again-notice the difference? Your car’s metal parts react the same way).
The engine is essentially a mechanism of controlled explosions. The energy produced in the explosion propels metal parts. Oil sits between those parts and cuts down on the wear and tear caused by the back and forth movement. It is this lubrication that keeps the engine parts from heating up and melting into one block of metal goop.
Why do I have to change my engine oil?
Oil is amazing, but even oil will begin to break down after a while. Modern car engine oil is particularly helpful to cars because it contains detergent. What does detergent do? It breaks down the gunk found in an engine. This means that you can effectively take an old car and "revitalize" the internal engine parts by using modern oil. The oil will effectively clean up the gunk within the engine and help the engine run cooler. A cooler running engine is an engine that lasts longer. That means fewer repairs and less money spent.
Oil undergoes thermal breakdown due to high operating temperature. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant. And without a good lubricant, parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out.
Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.
Finally, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and also hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this stuff and can't absorb any more. Then that stuff remains in the engine and can cause corrosion.
The clearances between metal engine parts can be as little is .0010". The oil keeps the metal parts from touching. But even with oil between the metal parts, the spinning creates heat. In addition to lubricating the parts, the oil also carries the heat away.
Does it really matter when I get my oil changed? There is much discussion about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work — how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving — it's an inexact science. Owner's manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles, while most manuals say 7,500 miles.
We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last a long, long time-several hundred thousand miles. You may want to consider changing your oil more frequently (3,000-4,000 miles) if:
You drive like you are in NASCAR: jackrabbit starts, heavy acceleration or high-speed driving;
You live in Utah, where the climate gets extremely hot and cold;
You often drive on dirt roads;
Your engine is old and burns oil;
You frequently carry, pull or haul heavy loads (from your children’s soccer team to your prized horses, boat or camper trailer).
But the really important benefit to changing your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles is to have drivers routinely visiting a mechanic every 3,000 miles or three months to do a check up on their cars.
Most drivers don't even open the hood anymore-or check around their car or truck for obvious repair signs-a tire that is showing steel, a water hose swollen and about to bust, a leaking radiator, expired state inspection stickers, etc., etc., etc. In the old, old days, gas stations had attendants to check these every gas tank fill up (and they would pump your gas, wash your windows (see the movie “Back To The Future”-the first episode). With today’s “gas and goodie” stores, nobody checks those things-not even you!
Since the average American driver drives 12,000 miles a year, that is 3 or 4 oil changes a year. At $35 an oil change, that's about $100 a year to have your cars looked over and make sure things are okay. Now, compare that to a tow bill...the alternate price you'd pay if that radiator hose bursts on you in the summer, or tire blows on an icy road in the winter, leaving you on the side of the road with a car load of kids, groceries, missed appointments, and headache medicine.
What happens if I don’t change my oil? Your engine won't last as long as it could-plain and simple. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil.
The benefits of oil changes are not so great as the drawbacks of not getting your oil changed, which are catastrophic. While you do increase the life of your engine and keep your horsepower maximized by getting your oil changed regularly, these are not as significant as the problems that can arise if you do not change your oil when it is recommended to do so. First, not changing your oil often enough can cause significant damage to your engine, as the oil is necessary to keep all of the moving parts lubricated. By not having enough oil or by using oil that has outlived its usefulness (is filled with dirt or has low viscosity), you run the risk of allowing parts to not work as efficiently as they possibly could.
Squeeze too many miles out of your oil and you will find black gooey sludge at the bottom of your engine. Since the anti-friction additives will be gone, you'll see burned oil on all the engine parts (just like burned butter in a frying pan).
In the long run, such parts grinding together without lubrication in such a stressful environment as an internal combustion engine could eventually lead to such parts fusing together, jamming up or altogether failing. This is catastrophic to your engine, as the engine could simply stop working or actually explode if enough parts refuse to work.
If you break down the engine of a car that has not had its oil changed regularly, you will see what essentially looks like a scorched earth surface. Everything will be black, and there'll be balls of burnt oil everywhere. It's generally known as gunk. Gunk kills cars. It makes it difficult for parts to work efficiently, but it also acts as an insulator that causes the engine to heat up-and heat kills engines.
Can I change my own engine oil?
Sure, there is no law against it. That is, until you try and bury your old oil in your backyard. Oil disposal has become a hot issue in the last decade or so. Remember, it is illegal to dispose of used motor oil improperly. The EPA now levies a huge fine ( yes, HUGE-as much as six figures) for improper or illegal oil disposal. The days of digging a hole in the back yard and pouring dirty oil into it are long gone.
Are you ready to properly dispose of your used engine oil? Smith’s, Harmon’s, Target and convenient stores sell motor oil-but they do not accept your used oil back. You will have to find auto parts stores (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, O’Reilly, Wal-Mart) who will accept old oil from do-it-yourselfers. (And, make sure it is in a container that will not spill inside your vehicle-that would blow all of your well intended DIY savings!)
Answering Yes to the questions below means changing your engine oil will not become an all day marathon project:
Do you enjoy tinkering around the garage?
Do you own your own hand tools?
Are you okay with getting a little grease under your fingernails?
I've fixed things on my car that involve removing more than 5 bolts.
I've built a time machine out of wood.
Why do I have to check my oil level between oil changes?
Yes, you need to check the oil levelevery few hundred miles. With your car parked on a level surface, remove the oil dipstick, wipe it off on one of the fast food napkins you have stuffed in the glove compartment, and then reinsert it. Remove it again, and check the oil level.
Ideally, it should be right at the full mark. If it's at or below the add mark, that means you're a quart low and should add a quart of oil to the crankcase. If it's in between the two marks, you can add part of a quart to bring it up to the full mark (the distance between add and full represents a quart, so use that to estimate how much of a quart you need).
At some point, every engine starts to burn oil. Get in the habit of checking the oil from time to time, and you just might avoid having your engine melt down one day.
If you regularly run low on oil, be sure to report it to your mechanic. You may have a leak or may be burning oil — signs that you might be gearing up for a major boat payment to your mechanic.
Be careful not to overfill your car's crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine's crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth — like the steamed milk that sits on the top of your Starbucks cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can't pump froth very well, and as a result, it can't get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result? An unplanned and expensive visit to your auto mechanic.
In conclusion, the combined effect of leaving dirty oil around a car’s engine can significantly decrease the life of vehicles while also making the vehicles less safe to drive. Basically, regular oil changes as part of routine car maintenance plays an important part in accident prevention.
