I’ve read on the news today that fuel prices are going up again, which isn’t great news for any vehicle owner in general. After all, we already have our wallets out for cost of maintenance.
Now we have to pay more for gas, too.
Lucky enough for us, what we’re here to talk about are the cost effective ways to maintain your car by being your own mechanic.
At Hyundai Pasig, we also provide great service for Hyundai cars in the Philippines. You won’t spend as much and you will love the experience.
Save on Maintenance Costs By Doing it Yourself
One of the crucial things in car maintenance is changing the oil. It may seem like a simple task but you’d be surprised how a lot of people have messed up this little DIY project.
They ended up paying thousands on top to get the job done right.
So today we’ll be breaking down the step by step process to properly change your car’s oil, lengthen your car’s lifespan, and all without breaking the bank.
The first step to doing an oil change is to first find out what type of oil your car needs, and the best way to do that is by consulting your owner’s manual.
Under no circumstance should you substitute the car maker’s recommendations for your own preference. This is a recipe for disaster and can result to engine damage and overall poor performance.
Once you get your oil ready, you’ll need to set up shop before you can actually change your oil.
The tools you’ll need would just be the essentials: rags, a rubber mallet, safety glasses, and a wrench set.
Also make sure to get a container ready, that’s where you can put the used oil in, and of course your oil filter and gasket.
A crucial thing when buying your oil filter would be to make sure you go with what the car manufacturer tells you to. The oil won’t last and you’ll just end up decreasing your oil life.
Changing the Oil and Oil Filter
Now we’re on to the actual changing your oil and oil filter.
Start by unscrewing the plug and quickly pulling it away from the oil stream. Clean the drain plug and install a new gasket if you need to.
Step two in the process is to take the old oil filter out and make sure the rubber gasket goes with it. If it doesn’t, don’t fret – you can just peel it from the engine.
Install the new oil filter and use your wrench to tighten the gasket if necessary.
The next step is to fill the engine using a funnel. Run it until the dashboard oil light goes out. Don’t forget to recap the bottle to prevent spills before you throw it out.
There you go, it’s as easy as that.
Experts say that if the oil is cold, you need to run the engine for about five minutes to run the oil. But if it’s too hot, wait for about half an hour so you don’t get burned.
This may also be common sense but never work under your car unless there’s a jack stand to support it. Some people would actually just work under a jack, and for your safety, that’s a huge no-no.
Don’t rush or get flustered when you try to change your oil and oil filter and you end up making a mess. Just make sure you spread plastic sheeting and drive your car over it so you can avoid oil spill cleanups.
You’ll get the hang of it when you start doing it on your own regularly. It saves you about P1,500 to P2,000 every time you need to have your oil changed, plus you learn a new skillset.
I’d say it’s a win-win situatuon, wouldn’t you?
Looking for a new car? Why not check out our the Hyundai Accent or the Hyundai Starex? They’re great every day cars.
If you are looking for the latest prices, check our latest price list for 2019 here.
