Oil Change - What Engines Require This Service?

An oil change must be completed for 18-wheelers, motorcycles and lawn mowers. Although you can complete this job on your own, it is often easier and faster to allow a mechanic to do this messy job for you. When you look at the overall expense for parts and equipment, assuming you do not have the tools yourself, and the time that it takes to complete the job, you are probably better off having the mechanic do it. Disposing of the fluid is also an important matter, and you will have to find an appropriate place to dispose the fluid.

To complete the job for an automobile or an SUV, you will need jacks to raise your vehicle off of the ground. You will also need a few quarts of the lubricant. It is much easier to complete the task when the vehicle is raised up on a ramp or a lift. The equipment that a mechanic has handy, can help him or her complete this chore in just a few minutes. The mechanic will have the correct wrenches, tools for the drain plug and a method for draining the old lubricant for your vehicle. If you attempt the job yourself and do not know how to perform the task correctly, or are trying it unsupervised for the first time, you can end up with messy lubricant all over your work area and over yourself. You can also end up with burns from handling liquid. The car can slip off the jacks if an inexperienced person tries to complete the task. A professional knows how to handle the job so that it is completed safely.

If you have a lawn mower and use it to cut your own grass, do not forget to get an oil change for that equipment as well. You usually have to have this maintenance performed once a year. Like for your vehicle, it can be quicker and easier to have the job completed by a professional. However, the task may be more easily performed with a small push mower than with a large vehicle. It may be a good idea to have an experienced professional complete this maintenance task for the first time and offer advice for subsequent times if you wish to try to do it yourself. Of course, if you do not have the time or the desire to ever complete this chore, you can always take your lawn mower to a professional who maintains them.

Truckers will also find that they need frequent maintenance to keep their equipment running at optimal levels. Truckers should follow the recommended timetables for performing scheduled maintenance. In all engines, failure to have an oil change can cause severe problems to your engine. The engine parts can become irreparably damaged, making it necessary to buy a new engine, new parts, or even a new vehicle. If you have been driving or operating equipment over a long period of time and have not performed this maintenance, do not be surprised if your engine locks or burns up.