Car Oil Change - Do it Yourself

Getting your oil changed is something that the pros promise they can do in a jiffy, however, with every three thousand miles you drive, the price can add up quickly. You can save yourself some money by doing it yourself. An oil change is not as hard as you may think!

Prior to changing your oil, you will need to pick up some supplies at you favorite parts store. The first thing you will need is six quarts of oil. If your car manufacturer recommends a certain type, you should stick with that. Otherwise, choose a brand you know and trust. (Note- do not mix oil. If you have a quart or two of one brand already at home, make sure you purchase additional quarts of the same kind.) With every oil change, you should always change your oil filter as well. So, you will also need to pick up an oil filter for your particular car. In addition, you will need an oil pan to empty the old oil into. Your best bet is to purchase one that can seal so that you can easily take it to be recycled. And, if you don't have one already, you could use an oil filter wrench.

After you purchase the necessary items, you are ready to start the oil change. First, elevate the vehicle off the ground using your car jack, just enough to access the underside of the engine. (Note: For added safety, make sure you are using a jack stand.) Remove the oil fill cap on the engine. Then, get underneath the engine. The oil pan covers the entire bottom of the engine, and this is what you will be draining from. Find the engine pan drain plug, which is shaped hexagonal (six sides). Place the oil pan you bought underneath. Next, use a socket wrench to loosen the drain plug. The oil will start to come out. Let this drain completely. Once drained, replace the plug and tighten.

Next, move the drain pan so it is under the oil filter. Use your oil filter wrench to rotate the filter counter-clockwise until it comes off. Once loosened, you'll need to unscrew it from the engine with your hands. Once off, place in the oil pan- oil will drip out from the filter. Now, it's time to put on the new filter. When you remove the new filter from the box, you'll see a rubber gasket on the base. A good trick for easy removal in the future is to coat the gasket thoroughly with oil. When that's done, screw the new filter onto the filter pipe tightly.

At this point, you're done underneath, so you can let the car down. But first, get the oil pan and any tools out from under the vehicle. Next, fill the engine with five quarts of oil and put the cap back on. Then, check the oil level. You should see that it's one quart high, and this is just because the filter is not yet full. Next, start the car and let the engine idle for about five minutes. This will allow the oil pump to pick up the new oil, and get it circulating. Also, check under the car to make sure the filter is not leaking any oil. Then, you can shut off the car and check the oil level once again. This time it should read, "full."

5 Steps to a Worry-free Vacation - Preparing Your Vehicle for the Summer

Car trouble on your summer vacation is more than just a repair bill . It can mean towing charges, accommodations and a rental car. When you consider the cost of extra phone calls, meals and general annoyance, your vacation can turn into a budget-buster. Most breakdowns can be avoided with a pre-vacation inspection by yourself or a qualified service technician.

So before packing, set aside the time to make sure your car is ready. 15 minutes of preventative maintenance in your driveway just may eliminate hours of aggravating on-the-road problems. Follow these 5 steps and you'll start your trip right.

(1) Fluids:

Check all your vehicle's fluid levels. This would be engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Most cars have transparent reservoir tanks so you may not even need to get your hands dirty. Check the owners' manual for procedures for checking and adding fluids. When you check the brake fluid level, look at the fluid color. You want it to be clear or light amber. If it's dark and cloudy, you've got contaminated brake fluid, and it should be replaced and the brake system flushed.

(2) Belts and Hoses:

All drive belts and hoses should be checked for signs of wear and deterioration. Replace any belt that's frayed, cracked or has chunks missing. With the engine cold, look at all the hoses for leaks, cracks, or swelling. Replace as necessary.

(3) Battery:

One of the biggest culprits is the battery when it comes to vacation stoppers. Make sure the electrolyte fluid is at the proper level. Remove battery caps and look inside- the level should be above the battery plates. If your battery is more than four or five years old, consider replacing it for an even more worry-free trip.

Also, ensure that battery terminals and cables are clean and firmly attached to the terminals. If the terminals and cables are covered with "snow", remove the cables from the battery and thoroughly clean the cables and terminals.

(4) Cooling system:

Continual highway driving and hot summer days combined put a big load on the engine cooling system. How many times have you passed some poor guy on the side of the road with the hood up and steam coming out of the radiator? If your radiator has regular green anti-freeze which hasn't been changed for two years, now is the time to do it. If it has extended life anti-freeze go check the recommended change intervals and if the mileage will be reached during the trip, change it now.

(5) Air-conditioning:

Make sure your air conditioning is working well. Run it for a while in each of its modes, checking that the airflow is coming from all vents. If the system takes an unreasonably long time to cool the inside of the car, or the air just doesn't get cold enough, odds are the system needs to be checked for leaks and recharged.

While following this list of checks, be aware of more generalized warning signs as well. Ticking, clunking or knocking noises, a sudden vibration or shimmy, or anything out of the ordinary is probably a symptom of a hidden problem that should be checked before hitting the road.

No matter how thorough your pre-trip preparations, unexpected problems still occur. That's why it's a good idea to have a basic road-kit onboard if something should happen. Jumper cables, flares, a pre-paid cell phone, spare anti-freeze, a gallon of water, three quarts of oil, and some hand tools are all great to have. You can buy a ready-made emergency kit or make up one your own.

Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin Comes Into Focus as Parts Train's Auto Body Parts Supercharge Every Ford

The Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin is the world's first high-performance sport-utility truck (SUT). We're looking to take Ford performance to an entirely new market segment with the Sport Trac Adrenalin," says Steve Lyons, vice president, Ford Motor Company and president, Ford Division. "Adrenalin is designed to offer a unique combination of performance and functionality.

Adrenalin has combined the best attributes of two breakthrough Ford vehicles - Ford SVT F-150 Lightning and Ford Explorer Sport Trac. It also offers class-leading technologies, including all-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and Ford's industry-leading AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control(TM). It offers four full-sized doors, four bolstered bucket seats, and a four-foot composite box with 30 percent more cargo capacity than the current Explorer Sport Trac.

"We have a very clear view of what we want to do to retain Ford's leadership in performance vehicles," says Phil Martens group vice president, Product Creation. "This includes looking beyond traditional SVT products for opportunities with unique performance attributes, such as all-wheel-drive." The Sport Trac Adrenalin delivers searing acceleration with its 4.6-liter, 32-valve DOHC V-8 power train. A Roots-type supercharger and water-to-air intercooler boost output to a whopping 390 horsepower and 390 pounds-feet of torque.

It has a six-speed automatic transmission - the first for any SVT vehicle, which has proven capable of heavy-duty use, contributing to the projected 6000-pound towing capacities of the Sport Trac Adrenalin. "In addition to providing sure footing on slick surfaces, there's a performance advantage to all-wheel drive," says Jay O'Connell, SVT chief vehicle engineer. "A longstanding problem with performance trucks was their inability to 'hook up' from a standing start without excessive wheel spin. This AWD system puts power down through all four tires, helping Adrenalin launch with impressive authority."

With a supercharged, 390-horsepower V-8, the first six-speed automatic ever featured in an SVT vehicle and an SVT-tuned fully independent suspension, Adrenalin promises acceleration, agility and utility. Providing an added measure of safety and control during slippery conditions or emergency maneuvers all-wheel-drive system is paired with Ford's industry-exclusive safety system, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control(TM).

Honda Odyssey 2005 Got Highest Rating for IIHS Frontal Crash Test

Backed by Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure, the 2005 Honda Odyssey was the best choice from its segment in the recently concluded Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset crash test.

The IHHS frontal crash tests have the front end of the vehicle hit a deformable barrier at 40 mph. When the vehicle is given a 'good" rating, it means that its front-end structure is able to withstand and manage the crash leaving the occupant compartment largely intact with hardly an intrusion into the driver's space reducing possible injury.

Reinforced frontal frame structures for the ACE body minimizes the probability for cabin intrusion and potential misalignment of the car's energy absorbing safety structure in the event of a collision between vehicles of varied size and height.

The federal government's top rating of Five Stars for both front-seating positions in the frontal impact test performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) went also to the new 2005 Honda Odyssey.

To keep the company's effort of " Safety for Everyone" Honda Odyssey models is well equipped of the following safety features: dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's airbags, front side airbags with an Occupant Position Detection System, anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbag protection (with rollover sensor) for all three rows, Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control.

Partstrain has all your Honda equipment needs with top of the line Honda car parts, Honda auto body parts, Honda motor parts, Honda racing parts and more. We have top-caliber parts and accessories for the luxurious Honda Accord, the popular Honda Civic, the big and powerful Honda Odyssey, the sporty Honda CR-V and all other famous Honda car models., we guarantee you our product line's reliability, dependability and top performance. Just click on http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/HONDA our convenient and user-friendly online store. Browse on the Honda parts you need in our informative parts catalog and check out any information on our services and deals securely. We guarantee you prompt and hassle-free transactions over the Internet every time you make your purchase. Simply order online or call us for the best Honda components of your choice. Our exceptionally trained customer service representatives are there to serve you.

Honda Environmental Technology Advances with Honda Accord Hybrid and Honda Fuel Cell Stack

Employing Variable Cylinder Management technology (VCM), Honda Accord Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle to deactivate three of its engine's six cylinders in certain conditions like highway cruising for greater fuel efficiency without affecting its performance.

The new 2005 V6 Accord Hybrid integrates the fuel economy of a four cylinder compact Civic and high-level performance.
Combining VCM with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology, Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid captured four of the top five slots in the EPA 2004 fuel economy ratings. In 2005, Honda-developed fuel cell stack featuring increased performance and fuel efficiency, reduced cost and the capability to start in below freezing temperatures.

Leading the pioneering efforts for the development and application of leading edge environmental technologies including the first Low Emissions (LEV) and Ultra-Low Emissions (ULEV) vehicles and the first commercially certified fuel cell vehicle, Honda now again has proven its innovative ideas.

FCX fuel vehicle powered by the Honda FC stack is the realization of Honda's long held effort of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Honda FCX then on its launching will be the first and only fuel cell vehicle certified by the EPA and California Air Resources Board for regular commercial use.

Starting and operating a vehicle in cold weather and freezing temperatures is a daunting technical barrier to the mass-market application of fuel cell technology. Honda's answer to this problem is the Fuel Cell stack with its newly developed electrolyte membranes and stamped metal separator structure for improved efficiency, recycle ability, and operation over a greater range of temperatures.

Prior to the FC stack's introduction in the Honda FCX, public road evaluations in the U.S and Japan is on going.

Making Our Roads Safer

One thing we must realize is when we make rules to help in aspects of safety the must not slow the flow of traffic or transportation. Such rules should solve both problems, improve flow and improve safety. We must be careful not to make linear laws, which cause more deaths and injuries on our roads and highways.

For instance when improving the roads there are special markings, reflective paints and surface coatings, which work better in inclement weather such as fog, rain or wind storms. Also available to us are incredible new roadway materials, which reduce road noise, help the tires grip better, stop quicker, repel water and do not ice up as easy. Similar techniques have been learned to prevent ice from forming on bridges.

There are many problems with freeways and toll ways in America. First the toll ways in America are clogging the flow of traffic. With the proper systems in place in major metro areas like the Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore we can improve safety and traffic flows. Video cameras on the freeways are just one way to do this and a perfect example is the system in Seattle run by Battelle.

There are also ways protect the people, monitor the flow, prevent International terrorist attack using our roadways and infrastructures against us, while alleviating any impending rush hour grid lock. We must use the latest and greatest technologies to our advantage to improve highway safety and cut down on the 40,000 deaths per year. If we could cut that number in half in the next five years that would be truly a gift to America. Too many lives are cut short from deaths on our highways. In the last two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq we had some losses, but we also liberated two nations. On America's highways we lost 2000% more lives and we have nothing to show for it, we do not need to fill up any more cemeteries with our loved ones. Think about it America.

How Can We Prevent Auto Deaths

Even though the DOT reports less death accidents in personal vehicles we still have a long way to go. Over 40,000 people die on our streets and highways every year. We all know someone who has died in a traffic accident. In the United States we have the safest roads in the world and the safest cars too.

What else can we do to bring down that number of 40,000 deaths? That is twenty times higher than the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan combined and we did not even have a war to kill all those friends and neighbors on our highways. One idea which had been kicked around was to put a little light on the dash boards of cars so when an ambulance, fire truck or police car with lights and sirens was on it would flash on the dash board to alert drivers to pull over. This could very easily be done with a small network sensor in every car and a small light on the dash, which would activate automatically when an emergency vehicle was within one-eighth of a mile away. Clean windows of course help for visibility. Five thousand deaths occur near, around or on the way to accidents, which have already occurred. This includes crashes into emergency vehicles, police officers out of their cars and rear end collisions due to rubber necking and lack of paying attention.

Other ideas which are on their way to a car near you include such things as improved kids car seats: Also innovations in air bags, radars and simple things you can do to protect yourself; If you are involved in an accident you need to be aware of what to do, chances are every driver will sometime be involved in an accident sometime in their lives. If you are wondering what safety features you next car might have check out this list and see if your choice for your next car is safe enough for your family. Lets all buckle up and stay heads up while driving, don't be a statistic and don't cause any. Think about it.

Managing Waste Oil Filters In Your Mobile Oil Change Business

Managing Waste Oil Filters is an issue. First we recommend a simple and easy method of crushing those used oil filter to save space and save our Nations Class II Hazardous Waste Dumps from over filling. We need to be careful with our waste and specifically the amount of waste. Here are the procedures we use when dealing with all those old filters. First; Remove the filter from the engine while warm and immediately drain free-flowing oil. Put the drained oil in your waste oil drum or customized waste oil tank such as the ones we have on our vans, if you are a mobile service this is critical.

Notice the specially made custom 75 gallon waste oil tank. Then Puncture the filter dome. Place the filter on a rack to drain into a waste oil drum or tank at above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours. Make sure crushed oil filter goes into the proper storage box, drum.

Our crushed oil filters are stored in a separate, closed metal container labeled "Waste Oil Filters." Always recycle used filters with a scrap metal dealer who has the necessary permit for EPA hazardous class II waste take it to your local Solid Waste District and get a permit for usage of the facilities there. Play it smart, used waste oil filters all too often end up wrapped in a Wal-Mart plastic bag and dumped into the nearest trash can and then dumped in the local landfill, not good. Do it right, help save our environment.

Hours of Operation - Theory for Auto Shops

Certainly we have seen an increase in older people of retiree age going back to work. So many factors make up this phenomena. 13.2% over 65 still work in some capacity. Why? Well because they can, because we need them and their humble approach to reality, having been through the hard knocks of the past and through tough times, they often do not take things for granted respect customers and have excellent work ethic. This is good. One third or more of these people we visited in Sun City live alone and of course they have time consuming hobbies or par time jobs to stay busy. So then when considering setting hours of your shop one must consider that these individuals need after 5 pm appointments.

It is difficult in these retirement areas to change your own oil, the CC&Rs are outrageous, one person told us he put a flag on his mail box but had to remove it. It seems many of these 65 and older have joined the HOA as their contribution and sit in committees and act like government bureaucrats making stupid rules to keep everything sterile and unexciting like the socialist country we are becoming, with no one taking responsibility for anything and everyone suing each other for looking cross eyed?

The 13.2% of over 65 age still working is an increase over the last five years of 50%. That is a significant trend that was predicted no less by the Yanklevich Group, and they are correct. The trend, well it is accelerating after many have lost their pension valuations to the 10 trillion lost in the stock market. Yes it will return, but if they take a draw while it is low they decrease their base money and the growth of the future will be severally hurt. How serious is this. Well right now the dollar is weak and there are more going to be employed making stuff. The Europeans are debt borrowing in a few countries and that is temporarily causing some inflation which will come back, then the dollar will have some inflation and right itself as a stronger currency in a few years and the Older crowd will have some of their nest egg back if they have not spent it all. But the under funded pensions are going to be the cog in the wheel and what we saw with those who lost pensions with Global Crossing, Enron, WorldCom is nothing. We are talking a huge scale. And we are talking all the Blue Chips. These people will need jobs and maybe you might hire them for your Oil Change Shop, you can trust them no doubt, they are not asking for a hand out and will put in an honest days work, unlike some of the work ethic challenged current work force.

Now then with all this said and the trend continuing we see the problem of shop hours, These older folks which have been bread and butter to our industry for so many years will not be filling up you bays at 10 am any longer. People without jobs are coming less frequently due to not enough money to pay to change their oil and therefore prolong oil change interval out of necessity of their pocketbook, not the special oil additives or the G-4 guidelines or even the dealership changing oil for free. You might think about re-adjusting your hours of operation to maximize the usage of your facility to make sure you are getting the 13.2% of the older market you maybe missing right now. There are many ways to do this, some folks like to work late, some early. Look at your crews and scheduling and busy times, re-adjust and add an hour or two to your operation hours for a few weeks, see what happens?

Oil Change Business is Changing Indeed

Well let's see GF-3 got passed when no one could work out the details, isn't it typical when you form a committee and spend hours putting into minutes what you could have done in seconds as an entrepreneur that the results are insured in advance? Dismal failure, but no matter let's move forward anyway, isn't that what bureaucracies do?

So GF-4 should be completed sometime in 2004-2005? They say, but who is they?

Whoever wants to say they have a say, so far that is just about everyone. I cannot believe how much I have read on this subject from Oil Company PR to EPA Bureaucracy to Manufacturers, dealers, Industry Rags. My God already, no wonder the UN can't do their job, look how many people have to agree on something, much more than this GF-4 automobile oil standards thing.

But alas my prediction?

It will never happen and GF-5 in 2006 will take place and the Pope mobile might finally get an oil change between leaders.

What about the .10 designation? Will it be a dead issue and .08 won't make the liberals happy, and us operators will be forced to higher costs and less frequency at .05, manufacturers will charge extra, warranties will be at issue the EPA will be fining customers, smog checks will be eliminating cars and Quick Lubes will be consolidated by Auto Dealerships run by Wayne Hiezenga, Roger Penske, Sonic Automotive and others, while the Manufacturers will say, we have to because of the EPA and Oil Companies will have to add the additives for far of market share reduction. Of course the political clout between Manufacturers, remembering; 'What is good for GM is good for America' and the Oil Companies with the steamroller will turn this thing into the biggest non-event you have ever seen. But alas, Chaos mean opportunity.

Some do not care who they work with for oil or filters, etc. or what the law is either way they will align themselves with strength and with the winners. If each manufacturer requests different blends many quick lubes will be forced to have several types of these different blends and thus their ROI will change, sure they will have the $75K ITC situation with the new tax law to buy more above ground steel tanks for the other a multitude of required oils, but some vehicle types will not be able to be serviced, and many of those will have free oil changes at the dealerships, meaning all the hoses, belts, wiper blades, air cleaners, fuel filters, tire rotations, etc will be done there.