Quick Cash Auto Blog

Although it’s quite simple, many people are unsure of how to change their own oil. Changing the oil in your vehicle is a very important part of keeping it running correctly, and forgetting to change your oil can lead to dire consequences. Essentially, the oil in your vehicle is the lubrication that allows for various metal components to rub against one another smoothly. Without oil, these components would quickly break down due to heat and wear. Also, by not changing your oil on a regular basis, you may end up with dirty sludge in your engine, leading to slowed performance and component damage.

Before you change your oil, you need to know how many miles you’ve driven since your last oil change. Most experts recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles, or every three months, whichever comes sooner. You also should find out what type of oil your vehicle requires. You can do this by looking in your owner’s manual or by consulting with your vehicle’s manufacturer. You’ll also need to gather up some supplies. Some rags or paper towels for cleaning, an oil pan to catch the old oil, five quarts of new oil, a new oil filter and a wrench to remove the drain plug. Because it’s recommended to replace your oil filter when you change your oil, you will also want a wrench to remove the filter.

To get started, you may need to jack up your vehicle to get underneath it comfortably. This should be done on a flat, stable surface, and you may want to add some ramps to keep the car from rolling. Once you can get underneath your vehicle, locate the drain plug under the engine. If you are unable to find it, consult with your owner’s manual. Place your oil pan underneath the drain plug, accounting for the plug’s angle, and then remove the plug with your wrench. After all of the oil has been drained, replace the plug. Position your oil pan underneath the filter, remove it and allow it to drain into the oil pan. Once this is done, set aside the old filter and connect the new one.

From here, all that’s left to do is pour in the new oil. Locate the oil cap on top of your engine bloc, remove it and then pour in the new oil. It’s best to use a funnel to avoid messes. Once you have poured in your five quarts, replace the oil cap, lower your vehicle off of any jacks and ramps and then run the engine for a few minutes, as this allows the new oil to circulate. Afterward, simply check your dipstick to ensure a proper oil level and you’re done!

While most people keep up with the scheduled maintenance of their vehicle, it can be easy to fall behind. Unfortunately, not keeping up with tasks such as oil changes and tire rotations can cost you big time, and not just in terms of your wallet. The fact is, no matter what type of vehicle you drive; routine maintenance keeps you, and other drivers around you, safe on the road.

One way to keep up with routine maintenance is to keep a notebook around that details what maintenance tasks you’ve performed, and when they were completed. Keeping notes on when you last changed your vehicle’s brake fluid, or when you last had the wheels aligned, can help you to avoid performing these tasks too close together, saving you time and money. Keeping a maintenance notebook is also a good idea if you plan to sell or trade your vehicle in the future. Many private buyers or dealerships will be more likely to give you a better price on your vehicle if you can show that it has been taken care of.

Many mechanic shops also offer reminder services to help you keep up with routine maintenance. When you get your oil changed, most shops will place a small sticker on your windshield that will remind you to change your oil again at a certain mileage, or by a certain date. Some shops will also send out notices in the mail that remind you of when to have routine services performed. If you have the chance to sign up for a mailing list from your local mechanic shop, you may also receive valuable coupons with these reminders. Furthermore, many mechanic shops are also turning to email and text messages to remind customers of when their vehicle is due for routine service.

Remember, keeping up with maintenance is not simply a matter of cost. Although not performing maintenance can end up costing you a lot of money in the replacement of worn and broken parts, it can also be deadly. Not performing routine maintenance can cause components to fail, such as your brakes, and it may also cause malfunctions, leading to fires and other disasters. If you’re unsure of what maintenance you need to do on a regular basis, you may want to consider consulting with a professional mechanic. A professional mechanic will also be able to inspect your vehicle’s current state, and can help you develop a plan to keep you safely on the road for many years to come.

How many times have you been out shopping, rolled up your cart to your car, opened the trunk, and realized that there was no way that your purchases were going to fit in your car because of the clutter that was already taking up space in your vehicle? Unfortunately, there is no way to actually add space to your vehicle storage, so optimizing what you have is the key to instantly getting a roomier vehicle.

• Clean your vehicle regularly so that trash isn’t taking up valuable space. How much of your trunk space is currently being used by empty containers that shouldn’t be there? A simple cleaning is often all that is needed to increase the available space in your vehicle. To make cleaning easier, keep a small, behind-the-seat trash receptacle in your vehicle and empty it regularly.

• Organize the items that have to be in your vehicle so that there is no wasted space. Try to keep all necessary items in the same area, and stack items in a way that optimizes your available space. Before organizing, go through all of the items you have in your vehicle and determine whether they are really necessary. If there is anything that you only need sometimes, remove it when you’re not actively using it.

• Purchase organizing accessories that can help you keep things in order. This includes extra cup holders, map organizers, and CD organizers. Many vehicles do not come with a set space for loose items, so purchasing an accessory to help will free up space.

• Use storage bins in your trunk to keep items in one place and free up the rest of the space. You’ll find a big difference between letting items scatter across the trunk and keeping them in a definitive area. Getting large shopping purchases or a stroller into your vehicle will be much less of a hassle when your trunk is kept organized and clean.

• If you regularly carry a lot of equipment with you in the car, you may consider installing a cargo box on the roof rack to keep the space in your vehicle clear.

Even if you can’t afford to purchase a larger vehicle, you can fit more in your car by keeping it clean and organized.

Whether you live in an area that gets rain, sleet, or snow during the winter months, being prepared for bad weather and slippery conditions is important. Preparing your vehicle for winter driving is a step towards staying safe on the road.

• Seek preventative maintenance

Take your vehicle to a local mechanic to be sure that it is in good condition. Some problems may not be an issue during warmer weather, but could be negatively affected by cold. For example, a battery that needs to be replaced may make it through the summer and autumn, but the extra effort expended when you start your car in cold weather could leave you with a dead battery.

• Check your tires

Your tires need to have enough traction on slippery surfaces to keep you in control of your vehicle, so check the wear on the tread of your tires before the weather turns cold. If you need to have your tires rotated or need completely new ones, have this done before slippery conditions are a possibility.

• Keep your windshield clear

To be sure that you’ll be able to see in bad weather, be sure that you have windshield washer in your vehicle and that the nozzle that releases the washer is not clogged. Also be sure that your windshield wipers are working properly.

• Check all lights

Since visibility can be an issue in winter weather conditions, check your headlights, tail lights, and hazards.

• Be prepared for an emergency

Driving in winter weather always means there is a risk that you will get stuck and stranded. Prepare for this possibility by keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle, including car maintenance tools, a flashlight, snacks, water, and a warm blanket. You may also consider keeping a backup battery for your cell phone in the kit just in case yours runs out of power and you need to call for help.

• Weigh down your vehicle

If you have a very lightweight vehicle and have trouble getting traction on slippery surfaces because of this, you may benefit from keeping something heavy, such as a sandbag, in the trunk of your vehicle. This will give your car a better chance at gripping surfaces rather than sliding on the road.

Driving in the winter can be nerve wracking, but keeping your car prepared for the weather will keep you as safe as possible.