Hi Some of today's most modern car engines can reach 100,000 miles before their first scheduled tune-up. Unfortunately, there is no 100,000 mile miracle motor oil to protect them. After a few thousand miles or kilometers of service, virtually every commercial motor oil becomes contaminated with abrasive metal filings, carbon deposits and other gunk circulating through the engine block. This condition can only be fixed with a regularly scheduled oil change. The problem for drivers is knowing when an oil change becomes necessary and how to avoid spending too much money for too little service.
It's important to keep in mind that practically any mechanic, amateur or professional, can perform a standard oil change. It can be time-consuming and messy, but the oil change procedure is not especially difficult. What can be difficult, however, is the proper disposal of the old oil and the attachment of a new oil filter. This is why many drivers seek out professional service stations for an oil change -- they have approved methods for oil disposal and trained mechanics who can reach even the trickiest oil filter from below the ground. Your first decision should be whether to tackle the oil change on your own or visit a local auto repair center. If you decide to have the car serviced at a local oil change shop or garage, compare price versus service. Because these shops depend on repeat business from loyal customers, there is plenty of competition for 'introductory' services such as an oil change or tire rotation. Local auto servicing centers routinely offer discount coupons in the local newspaper or telephone book or in bulk mail circulars. One company may offer a complete oil change and safety inspection for $16.95, while another might advertise an oil change and chassis lubrication for $12.95, as long as you agree to use their house brand oils and lubricants. Even the cheapest oil change coupon should provide the most essential service of all -- replacing the old oil with new. After you've decided on the best value for your needs, you should consider what type of motor oil should go into your car. Motor oils are designated by relative weight, which translates to how thick they are and how much heat can they take before breaking down completely. Cars driven in the winter in Minnesota may require a "10w 30" weight oil which won't turn to a thick syrup in the cold. A small car driven in the hot Southern summers might use a "5w 20" weight to avoid overheating. Every car's needs are different, so ask the attendant to select the best weight motor oil for your particular engine. Sometimes it's the same all year round, but in other circumstances it may have to change with the seasons. If you're planning on taking a long car trip or really want to keep your car in prime running condition, you may want to consider the more advanced oil change options. A basic oil change at a local shop may cover the cost of the oil, a disposal fee and a quick inspection of the car's other fluids and hoses. The next step up may include lubrication of the chassis, tire inspection, topping off other fluids and a more thorough belt inspection. Deluxe oil change services vary from venue to venue, so be sure to ask the manager or attendant about what to expect in return for the higher charges. When shopping for an oil filter, it is also important to avoid any fancy-sounding technology. An excellent example is the oil filter by a leading manufacturer that includes Teflon in the filter itself; the Teflon circulates through the engine with the oil. However, Teflon is a semi-solid substance and has the ability to clog small oil passages within an engine. An oil filter with Teflon in the filter material is not advisable, but an oil filter that uses Teflon in the gasket should not have any adverse effects on an engine. It is important to change your car's oil filter with the engine oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. Because the job of the oil filter is to trap large particles, preventing them from damaging the engine, it is safe to assume that after 3,000 miles the oil filter may well be getting clogged. A clogged oil filter will pose more resistance to the flow of engine oil, backing up the oil passages and preventing lubrication from reaching all parts of the engine. To prevent the serious damage that results from insufficient lubrication, it is imperative that you change your oil filter regularly. An air filter is an important part of a car's intake system, because it is through the air filter that the engine "breathes." An engine needs an exact mixture of fuel and air in order to run, and all of the air enters the system first through the air filter. The air filter's purpose is to filter out dirt and other foreign particles in the air, preventing them from entering the system and possibly damaging the engine. An air filter for your car will generally be pretty cheap, due to the filter's simple construction. An air filter is generally a paper-like or fibrous material, folded accordion-style and arranged on a plastic or metal frame to fit your car's air filter holder. An air filter can also be made out of a cotton- or fabric-like material, which is then oiled in order to increase airflow through the filter. The air filter holder is usually a plastic or metal box in which the air filter sits. Generally, the air filter holder is connected to the intake manifold by a large plastic tube through which the air flows. A clean air filter is important for your car's performance. This means that your air filter should be changed regularly, or your gas mileage will suffer. A dirty air filter can also cause other systems to run ineffectively, such as your emissions control system, which regulates the car's air-fuel mixture. A dirty air filter can also cause your spark plugs, which ignite the fuel in the combustion chambers, to foul, as there will be too much fuel without enough air; if your spark plugs foul, you may have problems keeping your car running. Your car's air filter should be changed at least once a year. However, an air filter may need to be changed more frequently if you live in an area with dirt roads or heavy pollution, as these factors can cause an air filter to become dirty more quickly. You can have a mechanic inspect your air filter, and change it if necessary, during an oil change or your yearly tune-up. A car is essentially a machine, and as such, it requires a certain amount of preventative maintenance in order to continue to perform. A tune up is a regularly scheduled opportunity, usually once a year, to do all of the preventative maintenance that needs to be done. Ensuring that your car gets a tune up regularly will help maintain the performance of your car and extend its life. A tune up generally includes replacement of several parts on your car. These parts may seem superficial, but failing to replace them regularly can cause decreased performance in your car, and may even lead to other problems. For example, an air filter should be replaced at least once a year; failing to replace it when it's dirty will cause your engine to get less and less of the air it needs to run properly. If the problem is left unattended, the air-fuel mixture will continue to run richer and richer -- meaning that there will be too much fuel and not enough air in the mixture -- and eventually cause other parts to fail. As you can see, a regular tune up is important to your car's performance. A tune up should involve replacing the air filter, replacing or cleaning the spark plugs, and replacing the distributor cap and rotor. A tune up can also include replacement of the spark plug wires, fuel filter, PCV valve, and oxygen sensor. Maintenance that is not included in the basic tune up may also be required, so a yearly tune up provides a good opportunity to check the car's systems, such as the brakes and clutch; all fluid and oil levels; and the operation of any other systems that are not used or checked regularly. If the tune up is performed in spring or early summer, the air conditioning system should be checked as well, as it likely will not have been used for many months. A note on newer cars: most new cars use platinum spark plugs, which do not require frequent replacement. Platinum spark plugs are often claimed to last 60,000 to 100,000 miles (95,561 to 160,934 km), or even more. These spark plugs will not need to be replaced with every tune up. Some newer cars also use an electronic ignition instead of a distributor, and therefore do not need a new distributor cap and rotor. For most cars, it is a good idea to check the owner's manual or shop manual to see what maintenance is recommended during a tune up. So how does one find the best auto mechanic in a sea of garages and service stations? Word of mouth is one good way to narrow the search. Ask co-workers and friends about their own experiences with any local auto mechanic. Listen for key phrases such as 'quick turnaround' or 'fair labor charges'. There may be some horror stories as well about the auto mechanic who ordered the wrong parts or forgot to reinstall a vital hose. Almost every repairman is bound to make a mistake or two throughout a career, but a good auto mechanic should demonstrate attention to detail. If a co-worker strongly recommends a specific auto mechanic, there is probably a good reason. Oftentimes the safest bet for finding a qualified auto mechanic is to use the service center at a car dealership. This isn't always the least expensive route to go, but at least you'll know that the shop is familiar with your car model and has access to authorized factory replacement parts. An auto mechanic working for a dealership may have years of experience on the manufacturing side as well, so he or she should understand the relationship between systems. A local amateur auto mechanic may not be as up-to-date on factory changes. Service centers may also offer rental cars or a free shuttle service back to your home. Another quality to look for in an auto mechanic is certification. There are a lot of talented mechanics who instinctively understand engines, but a certificate of training demonstrates a strong interest in improving skills. A certified auto mechanic had to attend a number of training sessions and demonstrate aptitude for a specific type of repair, such as brake work. A certificate alone doesn't guarantee expertise, but it does mean that the auto mechanic takes his profession seriously enough to seek out more professional training. A good auto mechanic should also be able to translate a complex mechanical problem into plain English for the customer. Some mechanics tend to scare customers into expensive but unnecessary repairs through the use of jargon. A good auto mechanic should be able to explain why a thrown bearing rod or a blown head gasket is dangerous to a 78-year-old grandmother or a 16-year-old beginning driver. He or she should understand that a $2,000 repair estimate for a 10-year-old car might be problematic for those on limited budgets. An auto mechanic should never be too eager to suggest the most expensive repair options first. Customers should feel comfortable discussing other options and learning more about the risks they would assume. Finally, a good auto mechanic should be fair with his or her service fees. New replacement parts may have relative fixed prices, but the option of using less expensive refurbished or salvaged parts should be discussed openly. Labor charges are not always calculated by clock hours -- many auto mechanics, especially those working for dealerships, charge labor fees according to an industry standards book. Replacing a part may only take one clock hour, but the book may indicate a three hour repair time. Try to choose an auto mechanic who charges for labor according to actual clock time, not the repair manual's estimate. ********************************************************************** This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information contained in it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the e-mail. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of Eraring Energy must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by Eraring Energy. 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