Taxi Drivers Replace Oil Frequently So Should You

Car and engine manufacturers give recommended oil change intervals of around or between 2,000 to 7500 miles (corresponding to 3,200 to 12,000 km) between oil changes depending upon operating conditions. There are so many variables such as engine load, short trips, speed, prolonged idling and dust that an exact recommendation that fits all vehicles, their climates and environments and driving patterns is virtually impossible.

There are two major reasons why oil must be drained periodically. Contaminants can increase in number. When this occurs, the oil’s ability to lubricate and cool the engine is significantly reduced. Chemical changes are also a problem. Oil contains certain additives. These give the capacity to protect form rusting and corrosion of metals until they become depleted and oxidized. For clarification purposes, oil itself does not wear out. However, the additives, which are incorporated in the compound that are responsible for protecting metal parts against oxidation and other causes of deterioration, do. New oil and a new filter will help your engine perform better and last longer when it is done in the correct intervals.

Carburetion or fuel injection gasoline fuel systems must be in good stead and properly adjusted. Intake air is properly filtered with a clean and undamaged air filter. The engine’s oil filter must be in good condition as well. The engine speeds overall during driving and on trips should be moderate to a reasonably high range. Of course engines should be operated under clean environmental conditions. Lastly when choosing the maximum oil change interval as assigned by the manufacturer, ensures that the engine is not overloaded as may occur when the vehicle is towing a heavy trailer or similar heavy load.

These suggestions should only be used a basis for when you should change the oil. Take it with a grain of salt. If you have an upcoming cross-country trip where you expect to travel around 7,000 miles, it is not practical to have your oil change every 2,700 miles in the summer. Granting that ideal conditions are present like well-paved roads, high speed driving and clean highways, then you can make an exemption. If luck isn’t on your side and an encounter with a bad dust storm occurs, good reason will tell you that an oil-drain must be done earlier than usual.

If you find yourself driving regularly in these conditions, you belong to the category of “Super Severe Service”. This recommendation is for owners whose cars are constantly exposed to extreme terrain and weather conditions. In this category towing is included. When you tow a trailer in the mountains, or in hot weather change oil in the soonest time possible. For the average motorist, these situations occur rarely. The best time to make that change is when the car is at operating temperature since oil doesn’t flow as well in a cool environment. Hot oil allows for the contaminants to be drained easily. All the oil should be removed from the crankcase before it is replaced. V:12

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Kenny U Simpson on October 2nd 2010 in Car Insurance

Professional Automobile Service Mechanics Play It Safe

The last thing on many an avid amateur mechanic’s mind is safety. Yet have a vehicle roll on you, or roll down the driveway to collide with anything else and your day week, or month can well be ruined. Never mind the explanation to auto insurance or MPI autopac insurance agent, adjustor or having to make an unnecessary claim on your home or auto insurance.

You would be amazed. More than one amateur mechanic has produced sparks or even open flames near leaky gas tanks or wet fuel lines. How downright dangerous a practice indeed. Included in such events are the use of electric power tools, grinding, welding as well as using propane torches to loosen rusted fasteners around these leaky or leaking fuel tanks and gas lines. Experienced and well trained mechanical and auto service department experts such as Shinderpal Jandu state to always fix the leak first and foremost. Then do the other repairs work or sets of task to complete the repair and fixing process fully.

Next never crawl under a car or vehicle that is not adequately supported. Next in line never ever rely on the auto jack alone to hold up the car, truck, van or bus that you or your team are working on. No excuses will ever do for this cardinal and very deadly sin of omission and laziness. The vehicle should be on level ground with the transmission in gear (manual transmission) or park (automatic tranny). Next the emergency brake should also be fully engaged. One or preferably more wheels should be solidly and firmly blocked. To block a car from rolling a brick or a piece of wood can be utilized to prevent the car from rolling.

It is a simple rule and basic safety prevention rule and standard never to smoke cigarettes or tobacco products when working on the fuel system or battery charging system. Gasoline vapors from the fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor or fuel injections are more than extremely flammable. Hydrogen gas inside the battery, as well as lingering about the battery case, is dangerously explosive. The hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by charging (as opposed to dead) auto batteries can be set off by any or even the smallest spark. Once set ablaze the hydrogen sulfide gas can serve to explode the battery with its dangerous caustic battery acid- which can splash not only on your mechanics set of clothes but also onto their face, eyes or skin. Thus make it a solid rule to refrain from smoking any time that you are working on a car or under the hood.

Lastly when doing any kind of electrical work such as replacing a starter, ignition switch, alternator, voltage regulator, radio etc, it is always a wise and safe idea and practice to disconnect the battery ground cable entirely. This will eliminate the possibility and possibilities of accidentally grounding the electrical circuit which could well start a fire or alternatively damaging some component in the now very delicate electrical and electronic systems of modern cars. The component of modern hybrid vehicles even come now in shielding electrostatic bags alone just to shield the sensitive electronic components of these hybrid gas / electric vehicles from the ravages of simple static electricity

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Syd U Nohcud on July 23rd 2010 in Car Insurance