See also:
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Oil Changes
Motor oil is essential to lubricating and cooling
your car's engine. In addition to replacing
any oil that may have leaked from your engine,
you need to periodically change the oil and
oil filter because the oil will become dirty, and dirty
oil can also cause significant engine damage. Check the manufacturer's recommendations
for your car. Typically, they recommend an
oil change every 3000 miles under normal
driving conditions.
Doing it yourself
Changing oil isn't hard, but it is messy.
For a regular passenger car, be prepared
with a pan that holds at least 6 quarts to
catch the oil. Most service stations will
accept used oil for recycling, so be kind
to the environment and don't pour it down
the drain.
Having it done
The easiest way to change your
oil is to
have it done for you. The most
common places
are:
- oil change specialists (e.g., Jiffy Lube)
- service stations
- repair shops (e.g., Midas and Meineke)
- car dealer service centers
Shop around, compare offers,
and look for
the best price:
- you'll find that there can be a $10-$15 difference
in price between companies for the same oil
change service
- many companies have online coupons that can
save you $5 or more, so it pays to look
- also, be sure to compare the services included.
Some companies will include a brake check
and tire rotation in the fee; others include
refilling windshield washer and radiator
fluids
- if you have an SUV or truck, some companies
will charge you more, so read the fine print
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