Automotive Oil Change Service-Lube, Oil and Filter
Check your owner's manual to see if your driving habits are considered to be "severe service." This type of driving requires more frequent oil changes. Have the oil changed according to your manul. Typical oil change interval is 3-5,000 miles.
Description: The typical oil filter consists of a high strength steel housing containing various types of filtering media. An anti-drain back valve prevents oil from running out of the filter when the engine is off. Today's oil filters have a convenient spin-on design that makes removal and installation easy. Oil filters come in all shapes and sizes. Some small and some large enough to hold 1 quart of oil. Oil filters are also submersible. That means they reside inside the engine and do not contain a steal housing, but just have the filtering element.
Purpose: The oil filter sifts out contaminants, allowing the oil to flow through the engine unrestricted. Should the oil filter become restricted or clogged with contaminants, they will flow around the filter. This bypassing is a safety mechanism, but you never want to let oil and filter changes go so long that bypassing takes place. Engine oil does three things for your engine: Dissipates heat, removes contaminates, and lubricates. So, bypassing the regular maintenance my shorten your engines life. 10w30 and 5w30 most common types oil. 5w20 is becoming standard among engines.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: For best results, consult your owner's manual, but consider that your driving probably constitutes a severe maintenance schedule. If adding or changing oil, follow the recommended service schedule. Usually, this means oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles or 3 months. If you change the oil and filter yourself, dispose of it properly. Take used filters to a facility that accepts them. Used filters can be crushed, removing the used oil and the steel part of the filter can be recycled. The oil from one used, seemingly innocent filter leaking into a landfill can contaminate 62,000 gallons of ground water.
Content provided by Car Care Alliance
