Servicing your vehicle on your own terms is familiar wisdom passed down from fathers to sons for many generations. Terms like dipsticks and oil pans are usually the first thing that comes to mind. And even though the “every 3,000 miles” has been replaced with “every 5,000 miles” in terms of when to change the oil, it’s still knowledge that’s nailed tight into the American brain. Because no matter how you slice it, changing your oil on schedule can be the difference between having a car last for ten years versus two or three.
Although, for people doing it themselves versus going by the nearest service station, the process is relatively easy. Regardless of how you do it, whether you’re doing an oil change in Kansas City or New York, there are three tips to consider along the way.
The first area is realizing the warning signs your car may need a change sooner than you think. This may be from irregular oil levels which can cause engines to work overtime. You should be able to notice things like this when you pull out of your driveway or parking spot and find oil pools or stains on the ground. It’s imperative that you get to your nearest mechanic and have the leak patched up as soon as possible.
Next, there’s the pre-oil change routines to factor in. One of the most established methods centers on the dipstick and all its glory. Dipsticks are important because they help motorists gauge what level the oil’s at and how dirty it is. And when you pull the dipstick out, make sure you wipe off the original line, reinsert and pull back out. Once you have the new oil reading, make sure the oil line’s hovering in between the two hash marks at the bottom of the stick.
Lastly, this one’s more or less about surrounding things, cleanup and what not. First off, it’s always important to check on your oil levels when filling up at the gas station. You don’t necessarily have to do it every single time, but just often enough that you’re aware. The rest of the lot consists of making sure your lift is stable and spacious to work with, checking the oil on as level a field as possible for better readouts, making certain that both oil caps are safely fastened to prevent leaks and spills and so forth.
Through it all, going about auto maintenance, be it brake pad replacement or changing the oil, just be cautious of the little things, so they don’t build up to become bigger headaches in the end. After all’s said and done, drivers must take heed when servicing their cars. Doesn’t matter if it’s a standard Kansas City oil change or complex Seattle tire replacement. Drivers from all over the nation should act to the same beat and their car’s future health will thank them in the long run.
