The Auto Writer

By Adam Brandon

Oil change intervals have changed over the past generation.

Conventional wisdom is sometimes anything but wise. For decades, conventional wisdom has dictated that we change the oil in our cars and trucks every 3 months or 3,000 miles. This may have seemed like some brainwashing exercise on the part of the oil industry and garages that make their living changing oil, but the fact of the matter is that at one time it was true. That’s because the oil of yesteryear was easily degraded and, if left too long in the crankcase, created an ugly sludge inside the engine. If it wasn’t removed, that sludge could actually result in engine failure. No wonder we all bought into the conventional wisdom that changing oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles was the right thing to do—because at one time, it was.

Oil Change Intervals

But not anymore. Motor oil has changed. The quality and longevity of oil has improved greatly in the last 25 years. Synthetic oils in particular have a very long service interval and don’t wear out—they can suffer from contamination, but they don’t wear out. Engines have changed too. Their operating temperatures are higher, which reduces the amount of “dirt” that accumulates in motor oil. What this means is that you can go much, much longer between oil changes than we ever thought possible in the past.

In fact, many dealers are now recommending service intervals more in the range of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. And even then it might not be necessary to change your oil, although it is important to change the oil filter periodically. It’s also important to check your oil level every few hundred miles, and be careful not to overfill if you need to add oil—that can create a whole new set of serious engine problems.

Synthetic Oil

You might also consider an add-on secondary filtration system, which can remove the small-sized “dirt” that contributes to engine wear. Some people using synthetic oil with a secondary filtration system can run their vehicles from 10,000 to 25,000 miles or more without ever changing the oil.

So, having said all that, there are some circumstances where you might need to change your oil a little more often:

• If you drive on dirt roads often
• If you live in a climate that’s extremely hot or extremely cold
• If your engine is old

Proper Disposal

And remember, if you choose to change your own oil, it’s important to take some precautions regarding the environment and motor oil. Namely, don’t let the oil run into the ground, and don’t dump oil into a water system like a storm drain. Recycle oil as much as possible—many auto parts stores will take your used oil and send it to a refinery, where it can be cleaned and used again. And here’s another plus for the environment: Reducing the maintenance interval reduces the waste stream of used oil that goes into the environment.

Conventional wisdom is all well and good, but it as time goes by, that can be a moving target. If you’re still changing your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, you could be spending time and/or money that you don’t need to spend. It may just be time to throw out this piece of conventional wisdom once and for all.

Author Information

Adam Brandon is a blogger for Leonard’s Garage, located in Austin, Texas, and specializing in auto repair and motorcycle repair.

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By Brian Turner

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The modern world relies heavily on automobiles to get around and perform necessary errands, but they can pose a significant threat to the healthy and safety of you and your family. When most people think of the dangers of cars, they think only of traffic accidents. They seldom consider that the vehicle itself may be slowly poisoning them and their passengers.

Automobiles contain a shocking array of hazardous chemicals that can cause health problems ranging from simple allergies to cancer and serious birth defects.

Benzene

This solvent is heavily used for the manufacturing plastics, as well as replacing lead as a fuel additive. Because of its chemical properties, it disperses rapidly into the air where it is inhaled. Benzene is a well-known and potent carcinogen. Prolonged exposure may lead to symptoms like respiratory problems, nausea and vomiting, dizzy spells and neurological problems. Anemia is also risk because benzene decreases levels of red blood cells.

Chlorine

People are most familiar with this chemical in the form of bleach, tap water and pool additives. However, it is also used to make PVC, a form of plastic that makes up almost your car’s entire interior from the dashboard to the faux leather seats. Chlorine is known to cause heart disease, liver damage, premature birth, fertility problems, asthma and endocrine system damage. It is also easily passed from mother to baby through the placenta and milk.

Asbestos

Asbestos may be banned for use in the U.S., but many cars are made in countries that still allow it. This carcinogen finds its way into brake pads, gaskets, fiberglass linings and even automotive carpeting. Even limited exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and respiratory problems, as well as disorders of the stomach and eyes.

Lead

Everyone is aware of lead’s status as a dangerous substance, but few realize that it threatens them inside their own car. The most common source of lead in automobiles comes from the plastics where it is used as an additive to make them soft and pliable. Common problems associated with lead exposure include neurological damage, mental and behavioral problems, kidney disorders, reproductive issues and blood disorders.

Bromine

Bromine is primarily used to make flame-retardants, so it’s quite ironic that something so toxic is meant to ensure personal safety. This chemical disperses into the air over time. The process is sped up by high temperatures and sunlight, so keep all windows cracked while you’re not driving to avoid dangerous concentrations. Bromine is associated with learning disabilities, thyroid disorders, impaired fertility, poor memory and behavioral problems.

Cars are a source of numerous other potentially dangerous substances such as cobalt, mercury, nickel, copper, arsenic and chromium. Although these things are naturally occurring minerals and are needed in small amounts for good health, prolonged or chronic exposure to unnaturally high doses can cause serious health issues.

Author Information

Brian Turner has been working with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an environmental health and toxic substance safety advocate since June 2007. He conducts research and raises awareness of environmental health risks, including carcinogens, and offers his green building expertise. Brian’s interest in cars extends to  classic, muscle, imports and beyond.  He keeps active by  playing and watching various sports with friends.

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By Melissa Cameron

A battery is one of the most crucial elements to a good running vehicle. Without one, well…let’s just say you wouldn’t get very far. On the same note, a bad battery is almost as bad as not having one at all. The last thing you need is being stranded somewhere with a vehicle that has no power.

Batteries are subject to wear down over time just like any other part on your vehicle. A clean one will last much longer and take you much further than a dirty, old one will. This article will teach you how to properly check your battery.

Safety First

Batteries can be dangerous. Before checking yours, be sure to take a moment and read the safety measures listed either on the vehicle, battery, or safety manual. Here are some of the major things to consider:

• Cigarettes are a big no-no: Batteries are powered by sulfuric acid which turns into hydrogen gas (which can cause it to explode). Also, make sure that none of the acid lands on your skin. If it does, wash it off immediately to avoid experiencing any long-term damage.
• Turn everything off: When you work on your battery, make sure that you turn your engine off and disconnect the battery. While this is primarily for your own safety, it also keeps the vehicle safe too (shots of unneeded voltage can reach your vehicles computer and break it).
• Remove negative cable for work under hood: If you are going to be doing any wiring underneath the hood of your vehicle, remove the negative cable from the negative terminal on your battery. This prevents any possibility of you getting shocked.
• When replacing cables, remove negative cable first: This is for the safety of your tool. If you decide to remove the positive cable first and your accidently touch something metal with your wrench, it could literally fuse to that part- almost like it was welded there.
• Tie cables back while working: Never allow anything made of metal to come into contact with the posts on the battery terminal. This can cause severe damage to the battery. There is even a possibility of destroying the computer built into your vehicle.

Checking Your Battery

Now that you understand battery safety, let’s cover the steps to actually checking it. It is actually very easy to check the integrity of your battery. Follow these five steps:

1. Clean positive and negative terminals: Powdery deposits tend to accumulate on them and affect the connection between the cables and the terminal. Remove the cables — make sure to remove the negative one first — and brush off any foreign material. Use a scrub or tooth brush for this step. You can even pour a mixture of baking soda and water on it to help remove the collection of corrosion.
2. Dry everything: Use a lint-free rag to wipe away the area you cleaned. Make sure that you don’t get any of those chemicals on your hands. If you do, then wash immediately.
3. Reconnect the terminals: Connect the positive cable first followed by the negative cable. After they are connected, use petroleum jelly or automotive grease to coat the terminals. This should help prevent those corrosive chemicals from building up.
4. Examine cables and clamps: Are they corroded? If you see what may look like extensive damage, then you should consider replacing them. If you don’t, you run the risk of your battery short-circuiting and damaging the computer inside of your vehicle. If you are ever in doubt, have a professional check your battery for you. He may also tell if your battery needs to be charged or replaced.
5. Check terminals and battery case: Most people tend to skip this step. Cracks in the battery and/or the terminals are something you should always look for. If you see even the slightest amount of damage, then replace immediately.

Checking your battery is actually quite simple as you can see. If you follow these steps then you should have no trouble doing it yourself.

Author Information

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer providing valuable tips and advice for consumers looking for best car insurance rate quotes. Her husband refers to her as the walking infomercial because she loves surfing the Internet for new deals. She also loves learning new things and provides insight for people looking to save or manage their money. She lives with her wonderful family in Texas.

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