First, let’s answer the question; Why should you change your own oil? Because you can save time and money. You don’t have to wait in line at the service garage or quick oil change shop. For ten bucks you can get the best oil and a brand new oil filter. And, it’s so easy to do that you could train a monkey to do it.

Changing your cars motor oil is a very simple three-step process: 1. Drain the old oil. 2. Replace the oil filter. 3. Add the new oil. But before we go through the steps, lets answer a few basic questions.

When should I change my oil?

Look in your cars owners manual. Most auto manufacturers recommend changing the motor oil every 6,000 miles for normal service, or every 3,000 miles for severe service. I change my oil every 6,000 miles, and my engines run like new when I trade my vehicles in with well over 100,000 miles on them. One thing that I do is change a new cars oil after the first 300 mile break-in period. Then, after that, I change the oil every 6,000 miles.

What kind of oil should I use?

You are not going to save money by using an off-brand oil because your engine will wear out sooner. Use oil that meets the American Pertroleum Institute (API) classification SL. I use Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, or Havoline brand oil. These quality oils contain additives that make them work better and longer.

If you are changing your oil just before winter, use SAE 10W30 weight oil. This number means the oil will have a thin 10 weight viscosity when the engine is cold, helping the engine to start easier, and then the oil will thicken to 30 weight viscosity when the engine warms up, protecting the engine better. If you are changing oil just before summer, use SAE 10W40 weight oil. The extra 40 weight viscosity will protect your engine better when it’s hot.

What’s the First Step?

First let your engine cool off. Modern engines run at close to 300 degrees (F) and hot oil will definitely give you a severe burn. You shouldn’t have to jack your car up unless you have some kind of ground hugging sports car or low rider. Almost all cars have enough space underneath to reach under and change the engine oil.

Step 1: Drain the old oil.

Locate the oil drain plug and place a pan under it to catch the oil. With a box wrench, remove the oil plug.

Note for newbies: To remove the drain plug, turn it counter-clockwise.

- If you have a GM dual-overhead-cam EcoTec engine you may have a difficult time locating the drain plug on all that aluminum.

When the oil stops draining, reinstall the drain plug.

Note for newbies: To replace the drain plug turn it clockwise. Start the plug with your fingers. If it seems even slightly hard to turn, back it out! You are crossing the threads.

Step 2. Replace the oil filter.

Move your oil catch pan under the oil filter. Using an oil filter wrench to get it started, remove the oil filter. (newbies: counter-clockwise, and you will get some oil on your hand.)

- A strap type oil filter wrench is the best kind to use. A socket type oil filter tool is used with a ratchet just like a regular socket. The problem with the socket type is that it tends to get stuck on the filter. Use the socket type tool if you don’t have enough clearance around the oil filter to use the strap type.

With your finger put a thin coat of oil on the new filter’s gasket to make it seal better.

*! Now pay attention – here’s were you can screw up royal!

With your hand, install the new oil filter. If it seems even slightly hard to turn, back it out! You are crossing the threads. Most filters have an instruction printed on them to give the filter one more turn after the gasket has made contact.

Here’s what I recommend: screw the filter on until its “hand tight”. Then use the oil filter wrench to snug it up another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. This is critical!

When the vehicle is running, the oil pump puts the oil under pressure. If you don’t install the oil filter tight enough, the oil will come gushing out. If that happens shut down the engine immediately! Without oil, an engine will lock up within seconds.

The first time I changed my oil, I used the filter wrench to tighten the filter as tight as I could get it. Wrong! The next time I went to change my oil, I couldn’t get the filter off. Luckily I had plenty of room around the filer, so I hammered a screw driver through the body of the filter and used the handle of the screw driver to turn the filter off.

Warning! Don’t over-tighten the filter. Follow the instructions above carefully!

- The GM dual-overhead-cam EcoTec engine has an unusual oil filter located on top of the engine. Remove the engine air intake hose. That’s the oil filter canister just to the right of, and below, the end of the open air intake tube. Use a proper size wrench to remove the canister lid. This engine uses a special filter cartridge.

Step 3. Add the new oil.

Locate the oil filler cap on the valve cover. I’ve seen newbies pour motor oil in everything from the master brake cylinder to the radiator cap. Make sure you have located the the oil filler cap. Remove the oil filler cap.

When pouring the oil, you would be wise to use a funnel between the oil can and the valve cover oil filler hole.

How much oil should you add? Look in your cars owner manual. Most engines have a capacity of four or five quarts. Don’t overfill the crank case. When you run the engine the extra oil will be blown out through the PCV value, possibly stalling your engine.

Tip: If you don’t know the oil capacity of the engine, add four quarts, then check the oil level, if it’s a quart low add another quart.

Replace the oil filler cap.

Step 4. Start the Engine.

Yes, I know, I said there where only three steps. You’re finished, this is not really a “step”.

Start the engine and make sure the oil warning light goes off. Look under the vehicle to make sure oil is not leaking out. Turn off the engine and let it set for a minute to let the oil drain down to the crank case. Then use the dip stick to check the oil level.

How to check the oil level: Remove the dip stick, wipe it clean with a rag, reinstall the dip stick. Make sure the dip stick is in all the way or you will get a false reading. After a few seconds remove the dip stick and examine how far up the stick is covered with oil. Most dip sticks have a “full” mark printed on them.

Note: I find the best way to dispose of the old oil is to use a funnel to pore it from the collection pan into the bottles from which the new oil came. When I get a big pile of used oil bottles I bring them to the oil recycling center. Be sure to mark the used oil bottles so you don’t accidentally think they are new oil.

Copyright(C)2004 Bucaro TecHelp.

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By: Stephen Bucaro

Similar to the previous version, the 2009 BMW M3 is offered in three styles- the base sedan, coupe and retractable hardtop convertible versions. The standard features in the M3 model include xenon headlamps, 18 inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, split folding rear seats, 10-speaker audio system with CD player, performance tires, leather upholstery, auxiliary audio jack and heated power adjustable sport seats with driver memory. The coupe model features revised exterior styling, carbon fiber roof, more powerful brakes, limited slip rear differential and an exclusive sport tuned suspension system.

The premium package offered as optional adds few more features like enhanced interior trim, and power folding mirrors. The technology package contains the amenities like voice activated navigation system, electronically controlled dampers, iDrive and keyless ignition and entry. The other optional features in this package include iPod adapter, 19 inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, number of audio options, sunroof, upgraded sound system, satellite radio and heated front seats.

The powerful engine in the car allows the vehicle to achieve fuel economy of 14 miles per gallon in the city premises, while it can achieve 20 miles per gallon on the highway roads. The power generation by the engine and the mileage by the car is morein comparison to the previous model.

The safety features provided as standard in the BMW M3 model include stability control system, front side air bags, traction control, full length side curtain air bags and antilock disc brakes. The sports car gained good results in the side impact and frontal offset crash testing.

By: Geof Ryan

Increasing fuel prices is conferring a tough time to everyone. But car manufacturers have come up with a best solution to rise above this problem. Most of the auto manufacturers are turning their vehicles ‘green’ by undulating out hybrid cars. The increasing fuel price in a way has helped the world to grow green.

Fitted with dual engine configuration, hybrid cars contain both petrol and an electric engine that compliments each other at different levels of speed throughout the journey. When the speed rises, the petrol pushes the car and electric motor kicks in performing as a generator that charges the electric battery in the car as the car slows down.

Not mentioning about electric cars when speaking about hybrid cars would probably be unfair. The sales rate of electric cars has also increased. An electric car uses electric motors and motor controllers for impulsion, in place of more general propulsion methods such as the internal combustion engine (ICE). Electric cars are a particular variety of electric vehicle created or customized for use on the road.

They are usually powered by on-board battery packs, and as such are battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Other on-board energy storage techniques that are anticipated to come into use in the future include ultra capacitors, fuel cells, and a spinning flywheel which stores kinetic energy.

Well, what about the honors being given for these cars? The Green Car of the Year award honors environmental leadership in auto industry and identifies the vehicles that are readily accessible by the consumers. This is an award that is being given analysis done by the editors of The Green Car Journal. The editors appraise the most environmentally positive vehicles in the industry and narrow down the list to five. The top five finalists for 2010 are:

1. Audi A3 TDI (EPA rated fuel economy 30/42 mpg)
2. Honda Insight (EPA rated fuel economy 40/43 mpg)
3. Mercury Milan Hybrid (EPA rated fuel economy 41/36 mpg)
4. Toyota Prius (EPA rated fuel economy 51/48 mpg)
5. Volkswagen Golf TDI (EPA rated fuel economy 30/42 mpg)

When compared to last year the automakers have come forward with new designs that are more diverse and innovative. They offer better environmental performance than ever before. The number of consumers that opt for hybrid and electric cars have increased and are expected to increase further.

What makes the consumers to buy green cars are its fuel efficiency, reduced air pollution emissions, and its economical benefits. Most of the countries offer tax rebates for owning a hybrid car, an electric car or any other car that produces less emission or zero emission.

At present the auto industry which is facing the crisis has a big hope on these cars. Almost all manufactures have started producing green cars and have also requested to increase the tax rebates given for owning such vehicles, in order to encourage the consumers for growing green. Especially countries like USA have planned to bring in millions of plug-in cars by 2015.

The green cars being a bit expensive will definitely give tough competition to the petrol version cars.

By: Miguel Covarrubias