Stop Changing Your Oil!
Breaking the 3,000-Mile Habit
Republished: 04/23/2013 (Original Date: 08/24/2010) – by Philip Reed,Senior Consumer Advice Editor Ronald Montoya,Consumer Advice Editor

Oil chemistry and engine technology have evolved tremendously in recent years,but you’d never know it from the quick-change behavior of American car owners. Driven by an outdated 3,000-mile oil change commandment,they are unnecessarily spending millions of dollars and spilling an ocean of contaminated waste oil.
Chris Risdon,a product education specialist for Toyota agreed,adding that oil technology advances that permit fewer changes are a tool to protect the environment crp123 reviews.”If you’re doing it half as much,that’s 5 quarts of oil times million vehicles a year – that’s a tremendous amount of waste oil that’s not being circulated into the environment.”
Waste oil is a problem exacerbated by too-frequent oil changes,according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board,which has campaigned against the 3,000-mile dictate. The agency says that million gallons of used oil is generated in California annually,but only 59 percent of it is recycled.
Our Fit Gets Taken for a Ride
Before the initial publication of this article in August 2010,we took a 2007 Honda Fit to Jiffy Lube for an oil change to see what might happen to the average car owner. The car had an oil life monitoring system,and the system had recommended the past two oil change intervals at 5,500 miles and 7,600 miles on non-synthetic oil. In both cases,an engine oil analysis revealed that the oil could have provided at least another 2,000 miles of service.
On this occasion,we told the Jiffy Lube service advisor we were considering synthetic Mobil 1 because we heard it could extend our oil change intervals. The service advisor said the synthetic oil could enable the Fit to go 4,000 or 5,000 miles before the oil”burned out.”The Mobil 1 oil change had a price tag of $. The technician also took the opportunity to upsell us,recommending a cabin air filter for $. The total for our visit,after a $15 coupon,was $.
When the car was returned to us,the sticker in the window called for an oil change in 3,000 miles,not the 4,000 or 5,000 miles the service advisor had promised.
If we had been foolish enough to follow Jiffy Lube’s 3,000-mile change schedule (which is essentially the advice given by all quick oil change outlets and dealership service departments),the Fit would have undergone four unnecessary oil changes per year (assuming 15,000 miles per year of driving),wasting $369 and quarts of perfectly good oil. Over five years of the car’s life and 60,000 miles of driving,this would have amounted to $1,847 and 125 quarts of wasted oil. This does not include other”upselling”items at each visit,such as cabin air filters.
Defending the 3 auto diagnostic scanner tool,000-Mile Interval
The quick oil change industry justifies its perpetuation of the 3,000-mile standard by saying that most people drive under”severe”conditions. Jiffy Lube’s quiz,mentioned earlier in this article,is one example of how that notion is reinforced in drivers’ minds. An oil change company representative said the 3,000-mile recommendation is meant to be just that – a recommendation.
In 2010,Scott Cudini,innovations manager for Jiffy Lube,repeatedly called the 3,000-mile interval a good”fallback position,”meant to be a guideline but not a hard-and-fast rule. He added that Jiffy Lube technicians would initiate a”dialogue”with customers about the oil change intervals that apply specifically to their cars.
“In most cases,”Cudini said,”even if customers’ cars have been plastered with that 3,000-mile sticker,they may have been told by the service advisor that,’By the way,Sir/Madam,your interval is 5,500 miles.'”Based on our experience with the Honda Fit at Jiffy Lube,as well as at other quick-change outlets,technicians rarely initiate dialogues that could provide accurate information about oil change intervals. In fact,according to a Jiffy Lube spokesperson,the system for supplying technicians with answers only gives them information from a vehicle’s severe schedule.
Turning Over a New Leaf?
Nearly 10 months after we first published this article,Jiffy Lube announced that it was undertaking a”new approach to oil changes that helps customers access and understand their vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations,and choose the oil change schedule that is best for their needs.”
We witnessed Jiffy Lube’s”new approach”firsthand when we took one of our long-term cars in for an oil change in March 2013. When the sales representative approached us,we told him we didn’t know if we needed an oil change or not. We said we weren’t sure what the intervals were.
The technician looked up the oil change interval on his computer and said it was either 5,000 or 7,500 miles depending on how we drove the car. This,of course,is the traditional severe-versus-normal driving schedule. In the past,quick-change oil shops have tried to get everyone on the severe schedule because it means more business for them. But now,the technician said,”We can set the sticker for whatever you decide.”This is just what we wanted to hear. No more 3,000-mile intervals glaring at us from the little sticker in the corner of the window.
But this was only a sample size of one. And even if all Jiffy Lube locations are onboard with the new approach,there are still hundreds of quick-lube shops that do things the old-fashioned way. Their deep fallback argument in favor of frequent oil changes is that they are a hedge against trouble. You can’t hurt your engine by changing your oil too often,so doesn’t that imply that it might actually help it? Well,no.
Steve Mazor,manager of American Automobile Association’s Research Center,said that more-frequent-than-necessary oil changes will not”gain any additional life for your engine or any improved fuel economy.”He added,”In reality it will make little or no difference to the performance of the vehicle.”
The Right Time To Change Your Oil
So where does this leave the car owner who was raised on the perceived wisdom of the 3,000-mile oil change? For a full discussion,your next stop should be our related article,”When Should You Change Your Oil?,”which will save you hundreds of dollars over the next few years and fully protect your car and its warranty,while limiting the use of a natural resource.
The short answer,meanwhile,is to consult your service manual or Edmunds’ maintenance section to learn your car’s actual oil change schedule. If your car has an oil life monitoring system,don’t try to second-guess it. Understand how it works and follow its guidelines. To probe more deeply into this subject,consider sending a sample of the oil from your next oil change to a lab such as Blackstone Laboratories,for an inexpensive analysis. Our last suggestion? Rip that sticker off your windshield.

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Definition of Personal Injury Protection
There is a range of coverage available for purchase in the auto insurance market. One such coverage is PIP–personal injury protection–which differs from medical payments (med pay) or bodily injury coverage types.
Coverage
PIP covers expenses related to a vehicle accident including medical bills,funeral expenses and possibly lost wages.
Purpose
The purpose of PIP is to cover anyone injured in the insured’s vehicle regardless of whether the insured is at fault.
Who’s Covered?
The insured,authorized drivers and pedestrians struck by the vehicle are covered under PIP maxitpms. The insured and his family members are also eligible for PIP coverage if injured while riding in someone else’s vehicle or if struck as a pedestrian by another vehicle.
Different Types
There are different types of PIP coverage: Full PIP Primary and Medical Only Primary are for those that don’t have a primary health insurance policy. Full Health PIP Primary and Medical Only Health Primary coverage are for those that have a primary health insurance policy launch crp229 creader.
Who Should Purchase PIP
Those without a primary health insurance carrier,those who travel with passengers in their vehicle or those who carpool should consider purchasing PIP. Some health-insurance policies will not cover medical expenses incurred as a result of an auto accident. In some states,especially no-fault states,PIP is a requirement.

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?OBD scan tool is really a device that may contact an automobile’s OBD -II system. It name is second generation aboard Diagnostic. Fraxel treatments been around almost any or all cars which were created because the year 1996. Automobiles outfitted using these tools are stated to possess 16- pin connector underneath the dash to permit a scan tool connection.

The scan tool is stated to become as easy as a handheld device having a brought display, or it may be as complex like a laptop or perhaps a PC running sophisticated analysis software. The tool allows you to definitely perform both easy and advanced diagnostic without investing a lot of money. Laptop Computer based checking tool assist in boasting a very wealthy feature-set such as the capacity to plot and log sensor data, to calculate fuel efficiency and estimate horsepower and torque.

The professional -scan is stated is the most easy to use pc based OBD Scanner on the market, its frequently offered on the market like a software and hardware bundles which consists of all of the necessary cables, the software and hardware works well for turning laptop computer into an OBD Scan Tool.

The Professional-scan provides extensive benefits like the vehicle proprietors and mechanics can have the ability to read and freeze frame data that is a snapshot of the items your vehicle was doing when a mistake happened diagnostic car. It clears all of the codes and freezes data. It records and plays back data. It may switch between British and metric models, it allows you starts over the check engine light effectively turning them back. Would you also realize that when you buy a professional-scan you’re titled to some free software application forever? Carry the chance don’t allow it pass you.

Goods news to any or all individuals who require check on their Engine light, with the development of an OBD Checking Tool it’s not necessary to waste your time and expense likely to mechanics technology-not only in your own home anytime you like. Just in case of pollutants, the scanner allows you check up on your emission status.

To individuals who never valued the tool a minimum of you value your time and expense so you have to get one and begin taking pleasure in the merchandise. The product supports enhanced diagnostics for a lot of different vehicles’ and generic diagnostic on Obd-11 complaint automobiles around the globe would advice everyone available to create a advance purchase the product and check out it, I guarantee you won’t ever be sorry in the end its affordable, a top quality product and lengthy lasting launch golo.

The easiest way to keep your car fit is buy an auto diagnostic tool, such as:

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How to Clean Car Windshield
You’ve cleaned and polished the exterior to a beautiful,see-your-face luster,vacuumed and dusted the inside,but not knowing how to clean car windshield wipers and the windshield itself keeps your vehicle from being the perfect vision of cleanliness. Why is it so hard to get the windshields of a car clean? It isn’t because it’s a particularly difficult task to accomplish,in fact nothing could be easier. But for some reason,achieving streak-free cleanliness when cleaning a car windshield is a frustration. There are ways,however,to clean car windshield wipers and windows with minimal effort and while using everyday household items.
To clean car windshield wipers and windows you will need:
An empty water bottle
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of vinegar
1/2 cup of alcohol
Two lint free towels
Make your cleaner autel mx-sensor 315MHz. Combine the water,vinegar and alcohol in a clean empty water bottle. Shake the bottle to combine the solution,and set aside.
Inspect your windshield autel maxicheck pro. Walk around the car and inspect each of the windows for any stuck on splattering. You can remove this grime using a razor or bit of alcohol on the edge of a towel.
Clean the windshield wiper. It is important to maintain and clean car windshield wipers on a regular basis. Raise the windshield wipers so that they are away from the windshield. Wet a section of towel with alcohol to clean each of the wipers.
Clean the car windshield. Spray the windshield using your vinegar,alcohol solution. Don’t over saturate when spraying as this may increase your chances of streaking. Spray one window at a time.
Wipe dry. Using your lint free towel,wipe away the cleaning solution in a back and forth motion. Roll down the window a bit and wipe away any grime that has accumulated there.
Clean the inside windows. Repeat steps four and five to clean the windows inside. When you’re finished and have a clean car windshield,lower the windshield wipers into their proper position.
Tips
In the winter months,spray the homemade window cleaner on the windshield at night to prevent frost build-up.
Some people prefer to use newspapers when cleaning windows. With older newspapers the ink was believed to aid in cleaning.
If you prefer to use store window cleaners,choose one that does not contain ammonia as it can be damaging to tinted windows.

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A/C Service Tools for Your Car
The need for properly working car air conditioning is important if you have small children or pets; excessive interior car heat can affect them faster and more seriously than adults md802 autel. Additionally,just imagine how miserable that morning commute or long distance trip could be without a functioning A/C system!As an integral,essential,complicated unit in your car,air conditioning problems can be expensive to diagnose and repair at the mechanic’s operation. Yet there are some diagnoses and repairs you can evaluate yourself if you have the correct tools on are some common problems and the automotive A/C service tools you can use to help you understand what is going on with your The Air Conditioning Working?
Check to see if the cooling fans are running when the air conditioning is on and check for obstructions like leaves or bugs are in the way of air moving through the manifold gauge set can help you check the pressure in the system; you can consult the operating manual for the high and low extremes necessary for the There A Leak?
Leaks somewhere in the system are the most common source of cooling problems. There are a number of places that leaks can be occurring including valves and hoses. Using an air conditioning leak detection kit is the easiest way to find pinholes or loose valves that you might not be able to detect with the naked eye. There are several different types of automotive A/C service tools sold in this realm,including spray-on fluorescent cans,sophisticated ultra-violet detection tools,and comprehensive electronic leak detection the Compressor
Often your easiest place to start in checking out automotive air conditioning problems is the compressor. On high mileage autos it may well be the part that starts to wear out and give you problems. A voltmeter is useful for checking whether or not voltage is getting to the compressor. Voltmeters are made in a wide variety of styles and are used for detecting the electrical potential difference between two points in an electrical
If you’ve detected no leaks or other causes that might require professional repairs,sometimes a”topping off”of air conditioning coolant will help you out of a no cooling jam,at least temporarily. Air conditioning rechargers come in pressured cans,some with accessories like gauges and hoses,to help you top off your unit. Cars manufactured prior to 1994 require a different type of coolant that today’s vehicles,so be sure to purchase the right type before setting off on this course of action in your home the A/C Fixed!
If you believe you have a top to bottom type fix ahead of you,it’s best to purchase one of the comprehensive automobile air conditioning repair kits,which include diagnostic and repair tools,as well as replacement valves and fittings. Substantial savings can be had by tackling car air conditioning problems in your home garage with automotive A/C service tools; the benefits of course ds708,are continued comfort in your ride.

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