HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-04-14, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005. PAGE 13.
Easy steps for changing your motor oil
Changing the oil in your car is one
of the easiest steps you can take to
maintain your car’s performance. It
is recommended that you change the
oil every three months or every
3.000 miles.
While it is easy to drop off your
car at a neighborhood service station
to get an oil change, those visits can
add up to lots of money over time.
It’s relatively easy and inexpensive
to change your oil yourself. Here are
some steps to follow:
PREPARATION
* Purchase or gather the necessary
supplies to change your oil. You’ll
need a case of motor oil and a new
oil filter (consult with an auto supply
shop or your owner’s manual as to
what grade of oil and type of filter is
right for your vehicle); a socket set;
adjustable oil filter wrench; jack and
jack stands; funnel; and an oil drain
pan.
* Run the car for about 10
minutes, as oil will drain easier
Some driving tips
for senior citizens
Take a look behind the wheels of
many cars and you’re sure to find
that a good portion of the driving
public are mature drivers.
As the baby boomer population
ages, the percentage of seniors on
the road is sure to increase even
more. Thanks to several recent
medical breakthroughs, seniors are
enjoying longer, more independent
and productive lives than ever — and
continuing to drive. Driving means
independence, and people who have
driven for most of their lives want to
keep that independence as long as
possible, especially in suburban and
rural areas where driving is the only
way to get around.
However, despite modern
medicine, certain conditions like
hearing loss, reduced reaction time
and impaired vision can make
driving as an older adult more
difficult and hazardous. That’s why
safety continues to be one of the
main concerns for seniors on the
road.
Many compensate for their
when warm rather than cold.
* Park the car on a level surface.
Make sure the parking (emergency)
brake is engaged, and turn off the
engine. If your car has a low
clearance, raise it by driving it onto a
ramp or by jacking it up and
supporting it securely. Note; Never
work under your car with it secured
only on a jack. Two jack stands are a
necessary safety precaution if one
jack gives out. Purchase stands at an
auto supply store for around $20.
* Open the hood and place the new
filter and funnel on top of the
engine. This act will remind you to
add the new oil after you drain the
old. Some do-it-yourselfers
inadvertently forget to add new oil -
- a costly mistake for the engine.
DRAINING THE OIL
1. Crawl under the car only if it is
securely supported.
2. Locate the oil drain plug on the
underside of the engine, usually near
the front centre of the car. Consult
limitations by
distances and
driving, busy
downtown areas.
driving shorter
avoiding night
highways and
However, other
safety precautions can be taken to
ensure that a mature driver can
continue to enjoy his or her
freedom.
Here are some tips from the
Canada Safety Council.
* Get regular vision and hearing
exams. If necessary, be sure to wear
eyeglasses and/or hearing aids.
* Some medications can affect
driving or abilities. Be aware of any
possible side effects.
* Leave space cushions to the
sides and behind the car as a safety
precaution.
* When planning trips, choose
familiar routes and avoid dense
and/or high-speed traffic.
* Background noise should be
kept at a minimum. Adjust radio
volume, air conditioning and heater
blowing units to their lowest
settings. Avoid using a cell phone in
the car.
your owner's manual for the exact
location.
3. Place the oil drain pan under the
plug and loosen the plug with a
socket wrench. A few turns counter
clockwise should loosen the bolt.
4. Remove the plug and gasket by
hand. Get ready to move your hand
fast because hot oil is about to
escape.
5. Let the oil drain into the pan.
Hold onto the plug and gasket.
6. Wipe off the drain plug and the
plug opening when the oil finishes
draining.
7. Replace the drain plug gasket.
8. Reinstall the plug. Start
tightening the bolt by hand and
finish with a wrench or socket. Be
careful not to overtighten or you
may strip the plug.
CHANGING THE OIL
FILTER
Your next step is to change the oil
filter on your car.
1. Locate the existing oil filter. It is
usually on the side "of the engine
(consult with the manual if you’re
not sure).
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2. Position the oil drain pan under
the oil filter to catch any oil that may
have accumulated in the filler.
3. Loosen the oil filter with the
adjustable oil filter wrench.
4. Use a rag to wipe the area where
the filter mounts to the engine. Make
sure the rubber seal of the old filler
is nol stuck to the engine.
5. Use some new oil to lightly coal
the rubber seal of the new filter.
6. Screw the new filter into place
by hand. It’s usually unnecessary to
tighten the oil filter with the oil filler
wrench, but have it ready if
your grip is not strong (or large)
enough.
ADDING NEW OIL
Your final steps are done from
atop the engine under the hood of
your car. Therefore, you can remove
the oil drip pan and slide out from
under your car.
1. Locate the oil filler cap under
the hood and remove it.
2. Place your funnel in the
opening and add four to five quarts
of new oil. Check your operator’s
manual for the correct amount.
3. Replace the cap.
4. Run your engine for a few
minutes to get the oil circulating.
5. Shut off the engine and then
check the oil dipstick, located near
the oil fill cap, to see if the oil level
is correct. Add more oil if necessary.
6. Once again, slide under your
car and check the area around the oil
dram plug and the filter for oil leaks.
Tighten the plug or oil filter if you
find leakage.
7. Wipe away any excess oil from
your car with a rag.
8. Pour the used oil from the oil
drain pan into a plastic container
after it has cooled and can be
handled.
9. Bring the used oil to a
recycling centre or to an auto supply
shop that does recycling. Never toss
used oil down the sewer or a
drain.
10. Record the date and mileage of
the car on a sticker and secure it to
your windshield or inside your
owner's manual. That way, you’ll
know when it’s time for another oil
change.
Hwy. 4 South, Clinton, Ont.
MIKE McNICHOL DOUG RIEHL
482-3752 482-9796
FULL
MECHANICAL
SERVICE
AUTO - TRUCK - FARM - SPECIALIST