Step By Step Guide How To Change Your Oil - For Beginners | Do Your Own Oil Change With Pictures

A short presentation by City Collision Center so you will remember how to change your oil.

Stan: I’ve never changed my own oil before.  I don’t how to get around a car.

Brian: No problem.  I’ll break it down into steps so it’s easy.  First, Stan, you want to warm up your engine for two to three minutes to get all that gook churned up and can flow easily out of the engine.  So that you don’t burn yourself, turn off the engine when it is warm to the touch.

Stan: Done.

Brian: Look under the car to find the drain plug, which is a large nut or plug underneath the oil pan at the bottom of the engine.

Stan: Ok.  I found it.  What next?

Brian: We need a container to catch the oil.  This one should work. He says while holding up a container.  Now push this under the oil drain plug.

Stan: That’s done.  Do I just pull the plug now?

Brian: Yes, you do.  But protect your hand with this rag.  Gives Stan a rag.  Now before you drain the oil, be ready to move your hands.

Stan: I think it’s all drained out.

Brian: Now remove the cap from the oil filter at the top of your engine and then unscrew the oil filter.  If you can’t do it with your hands, we can get a wretch out.

Stan: Struggles some.  I’m a manly man.  The filter unscrews counterclockwise, yes?

Brian: Yes.  The filter will have oil on it, so be careful not to spill any as you remove it.

Oil Filter: Ek. That tickles.

Brian: We need to now empty the filter’s oil into our container.

Brian: Let’s get a new bottle of oil out and dip a finger into it the oil to moisten the gasket on the top of the new filter.

Stan: I bet now I need to screw the new filter into the engine where the old one used to be.

Brian: See, you’re a natural.  But there is a slight trick.  Turn the filter gently by hand until it seats, and then go ahead and give it another three-quarter turn.

Stan: No sweat.  What next?

Brian: Wipe around the area the oil drain plug goes.  Afterward, Replace the oil drain plug using our mighty adjustable wrench to tighten it.  Says while holding up the wrench.

Stan: Thanks for letting me use your tools.

Brian: No problem.  Now we are going to use a funnel to pour in all of the oil but one of the quarts into the oil filler hole.  Be sure to pour it slowly so all the oil will have time to run down.

Stan: This is going together pretty well.  I’m all done with that.

Brian: Now we’ll replace the oil filler cap and run the engine for thirty to sixty seconds.  Meanwhile, we’ll check for leaks from the oil drain plug and around the filter.

Stan: That’s easy enough.

Brian: Now shut off the engine and wait five to ten minutes for the oil to settle into the pan, and then check the dipstick.  You do know what the dipstick is, right Stan?

Stan: Yes, of course.

Brian: Now keep adding oil a little at a time until the dipstick reaches the Full line.  Now remove the drain pan and give the car a whirl.

Stan: Sure.

Brian:  A couple of blocks should be sufficient, and then we’ll wait until the oil settles down again for another five to ten minutes.  Now check the dipstick again.

Stan: The dipstick measures on the Full line.

Brian: Good job Stan.  Now all we need is to take the oil to an auto parts store for it to be recycled.

Original Post by http://centercitycollision.com/2014/change-oil-dialogue/

Choosing the Correct Auto Body Repair Shop for Your Needs

If you are a vehicle owner, you cannot avoid an auto body repair shop. It may be an accident or a simple dent in your car; you need to repair the vehicle. There are many types of body shops that specialize in different types of repairs. Typically, an auto body shop specializing in one area of work is faster and more reliable than a shop covering all issues. So how will you choose an auto body repair shop?

Even if you are an expert driver, you cannot guarantee that your vehicle will not be a part of an accident. A mishap can occur even on the safest road. That is the reason to search for a good and reliable auto body repair shop which will be self contained, handle your vehicle with care and deliver your vehicle on time. The type of damage to the vehicle will decide which repair shop is the best for it. When you are stuck in a situation like an accident, opt for a reliable auto body shop in your locality. Do not consider that the cheapest will be the most reliable source; neither will be the costliest. If you can hire the service of a good technician above the average rate then hire it as your vehicle is at stake. Usually, labor charges per hour can vary from $20 to $100 for the same kind of service.

A simple way to check the reliability of an auto body repair shop is to check for ASE certification. The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technicians are the best in the industry as they have a working experience of more than two years in the automotive repair industry. These technicians are certified after a series of tests and numerous exams to check their knowledge in accordance with the repairs on a vehicle. Finding an ASE certified technician can be a difficult task. You can take recommendations from friends and family. Your friends can guide you to a good technician who can help you with your vehicle's technical difficulties.

There are various reasons that can cause damage to your vehicle and its body. For instance, an accident can cause damage to your vehicle that may or may not be seen by the naked eye. The visible injuries can be seen by the naked eye like the dents and scratches whereas you will realize the other damages, like the performance drop of the vehicle due to the impact on the body parts during an accident, when you drive it. The auto body specialists can repair your vehicle and restore it to its normal condition. But if you need to have your vehicle repaired correctly, on time and for a reasonable amount of money, choose the ones which are in the vicinity of your house.

Comparing the different auto body repair shop in your vicinity can give you a better understanding of the quality of services they offer. Ensure the shop has a good reputation and the technicians are trustworthy before taking your vehicle in for repairs.

Link to the original article written by Auto Body Painter Choosing the Correct Auto Body Repair Shop for Your Needs

What Are the Common Signs of Bad Vehicle Brakes?

What Are the Common Signs of Bad Vehicle Brakes?
By Jake T Howard
If you own a car that is more than two years old, make sure you read this article carefully. Here, we have discussed about the common signs of bad brakes, a problem the majority of the old vehicles face.
Before reading this article you must be aware of the fact that the symptoms of bad car brakes can vary from one vehicle to another depending on the kind of braking system the vehicle in question carries. So, the best way to avoid car breakdowns due to faulty brakes is getting old cars checked by an experienced auto mechanic once every year. If the fault in the brake is detected early, you will not need to invest big amount of money for getting your vehicle repaired; this is another advantage of knowing the signs of defective braking system.
Now let us discuss about the primary topic of this article, which is, symptoms of bad automobile brakes. The first sign we will be talking about is squealing noise. If there's a problem in the braking system of an automobile, you will hear a squealing sound as soon as you apply the brake pedal. The sound might be loud or feeble depending on the severity of the problem.
Another kind of noise that indicates a problem in brakes is a scraping noise. This happens if you keep on ignoring the squealing sound. In such situations, as soon as you apply the brake pedal, you will find your vehicle making a scrapping or grinding sound. It's needless to say that such sounds are extremely loud; usually, the scrapping noise resembles the sound created when a metal structure hits another structure made of metal. A scrapping or grinding noise indicates a serious issue in the braking system of your car.
Has the brake pedal of your vehicle become a bit spongy? It is also a common sign of problems in automobile brakes. You should get the car checked even if the pedal is offering less resistance than what it used to offer originally.
Pulsation or vibration when trying to apply the pedal is another symptom of a bad brake. To be more precise, this happens due to improperly-finished or warped rotors. Ideally, you should get the rotors replaced if they show any sign of defect. However, according to experienced auto mechanics, a rotor can be adjusted twice before being replaced.
Is the pedal dropping completely on the floor? If yes, then don't waste a single minute and get the braking system of your vehicle mended by a reliable mechanic in your area.
This article has been authored by the owner of an auto repair shop in Australia. The shop is known for offering impeccable car service Hornsby.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_T_Howard
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Are-the-Common-Signs-of-Bad-Vehicle-Brakes?&id=8584077

How to Pick the Right Auto Body Repair Shops

How to Pick the Right Auto Body Repair Shops
By Mary R
Some of the biggest questions people run into deal with the repairing their vehicles. Many times people are confused and don't know how to go about picking the right auto body shop. What process should I run through in picking the right vehicle repair shop? What questions should I consider?
What value am I getting for my Auto Body Repair?
The most important question in determining what auto body repair shops is: What value am I getting in repairing my vehicle here? Many body shops out there are looking for unsuspecting customers and ways to pad their bottom dollar. A lot of times body shops will offer the lowest price because they know this will attract customers. Unfortunately, from a customer standpoint choosing the lowest price is not always the way to go.
Daniel T., Vice President of National Auto Parts, in Dallas, Texas, concurs that doing this will only create more car issues in the future. "Repairing your vehicle is always about what you get in return. These days, body shops continue to push the limits of their customers to see how much more they can get away with. At this point the body shop knows exactly what they're doing. Is the customer to know the better?"
What can I do to protect myself?
A solution that's been picking up a lot of traction recently is hiring a third party to assist you in this area. There are a few good car crash consultants out there that will help you figure out what's being put on your vehicle and how the vehicle's being repaired. When looking for a good car crash consultant selecting one that gives you a lot of insight on the repair and product being used is imperative. Using these specialists provides visibility in an area with many questions.
Another way is looking for a detailed report of the work being put into the vehicle and reviewing the warranty the shops offers. When you get into an accident, every insurance gives you an assessment of the damages, take a look at the sheets and read over to see what product they've listed for use. Auto Body Shops sporadically will attempt to use cheaper parts to make more money. Requesting the use of what's listed on your insurance assessment is not unusual and will help protect against this. In regards to warranties, most legitimate body shops will have an extensive warranty and stand by their work.
Where should I look for the body shop?
Driving to the nice plush auto body repair shops off the highway might be convenient, but doing this often drives up the price of the job. "All businesses have costs and are in it to make money. With this assumption, you have to believe any cost a business incurs will be passed onto their consumer," Daniel says. Hanging off the highway, and looking more in-city gives any prospective client a better chance to keep labor costs low. Prices per hour for labor can vary wildly from $30-$100 for the same type of work. Don't misunderstand the shop may not look the best, but you can be guaranteed going this route will provide good value.
Want to know more about Auto Body Repair Shops, please visit http://www.carcrashconsultants.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_R
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Pick-the-Right-Auto-Body-Repair-Shops&id=7280222