Oil Change Need-to-Knows

Everyone takes the common automobile lube for granted. In earlier times, changing the lubricant in a vehicle was a complicated and drawn out thing. There were a multitude of steps requiring very skilled laborers that knew the inner workings of engines and motors of all sizes. Nowadays, the process is quite a bit simpler and can be performed quickly by individuals with little to no experience changing vehicles oils.

However, just because it is possible to do an oil change on your own car, doesn't mean that you should. In most cases, lubricant changing on a vehicle should be left up to an expert. If you are willing to do enough research and self-education to become an expert, then by all means, you should consider doing the job yourself. If you aren't willing to put the time in, but just are thinking of ways to save money, you should think twice.

Although the work required in a common lube is not nearly as complex as it once was, you do need to have at least a working understanding of the makeup of your car's engine. If you can't point out the pan or know where to add lubricant, then you will need to begin at square one if you intend to do it yourself.

First you will want to locate the dipstick. Again, if you don't know what exactly you are looking for, check the automobile manual that you got with your car. There should be some mention of an oil change in the index. Find the page and flip to the chapter where this is discussed in detail. The dipstick is located under the hood of the car. After you have located it, pull it out slowly and check the level of the lubricant. If it is low or seems to be a dark color, you know it is time to either add or replace.

If you aren't a beginner when it comes to vehicles but don't have the desire to do the oil change yourself, you aren't alone. Most people weigh the pros and cons of doing it themselves and go with the option of taking the vehicle to a mechanic. Because of modern equipment available to mechanics, a lube is so much faster in a shop. They can quickly get the car lifted up on hydraulics and freely walk underneath it to empty the pan. This would take you several hours of serious labor. 

The lubricant is not the only thing that you consider when taking your vehicle in for a lube. You also need to be prepared to have all the fluids checked and have filters replaced. Generally filters are replaced each time you go in for your 5,000 mile tune-up. Fluids shouldn't have to be replaced every tune-up, but will occasionally need to be checked for moisture content. 

An oil change is something simple that most vehicles must undergo a few times a year. If you aren't familiar with your vehicles lubricant needs, check your manual or talk to an expert.