Oil Change

Check the owner’s manual to see if your driving habits are considered to warrant “severe service.” This type of driving requires more frequent oil changes, according to the Car Care Council. Have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3-5,000 miles. For less wear and tear on the engine, drivers in cold climates (sub-zero driving temperatures) should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30.

The Process
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.

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, it will flow around the filter, bypassing is a safety mechanism. You should never neglect oil and filter changes go so long that bypassing takes place.

For best results, consult your owner’s manual, but consider whether you’re driving constitutes a severe maintenance schedule. Usually, this means oil and filter changes every 3,000 miles or 3 months. If you change the 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 that can be recycled. The oil from one used, seemingly innocent filter leaking into a landfill can taint 62,000 gallons of ground water.