Digging Dirt

When most people think of maintaining their vehicle they think first of keeping it washed and waxed. Then they think of changing the oil and filter. Although changing your own oil is both relatively easy and socially acceptable, does it really save you any money?

What are the costs involved?

Changing your own oil and filter does seem to be a pretty cheap with the oil being under two dollars a quart and the filter under five in most cases. There is of course the purchase of the necessary accessories needed for changing your oil and filter. You will need a drip pan, funnel and a wrench designed for removing the oil filer. You should be able to change the oil and oil filter in about half an hour. It then costs another couple of dollars to discard the filter and oil oil. The first time you change your own oil and filter you will be unlikely to save any money.

Why should you pay to have your oil changed?

Paying to have your oil and filter changed will vary depending on the garage and if you have a coupon. Somewhere between twenty and forty dollars is a good estimate. Any good service garage will do more than just change the oil and filter. They will do a quick check on your tires, wash windows, refill the windshield washer tank, and do a check for any potential problems. The cost of paying for an oil change may be worthwhile when considered in conjunction with these extra services. In many cases a trained mechanic will notice minor issues before they turn into expensive problems.

How many miles between oil changes?

There are a number of disparate views as to how often you should change your oil. When you take your car to a garage they will automatically put a sticker on your windshield to remind you when 3,000 miles are going to be up and expect to see you back then. For some newer automobiles, you may only need the oil changed every 6,000 miles. Your oil filter, on the other hand, may only need to be changed on every other oil change.

In many cases, mechanics will still recommend that you change your filter whenever you change your oil. The reason being by not removing the filter a good full quart of oil will remain in your engine until the next time you change the filter. This old oil is, of course, dirty. Considering that the reason for changing your oil is to enable your vehicle to function more effectively, it is reasonable to assume that leaving a quart of dirty oil in engine is going to negatively affect your vehicle’s performance. 

In fact, there is no reason not to change your oil and filter more often. Regular oil and filter changes keep your car running efficiently and saves you money in two ways. Firstly, you can avoid costly repairs and secondly you will use less gas. Considering this, how much do you really save by waiting to change your own oil and filter every 5 or 6,000 miles without the benefit of having a professional mechanic look at your vehicle on a regular basis?

Do you want to learn about nursing school grants and business college grants? Discover the facts here.