Change Your Own Oil and Save!

Some people in life like to get their hands dirty, and others just like to spend money. If you make the decision to change oil yourself in your vehicle, be prepared to get dirty, greasy and wear a little oil. You will get your tools dirty and will sweat in a hot garage for about half an hour.
Other motorists will simply take it to one of those convenient 15 minute chains that specialize in catering to don't like to change oil. It's clean, it's fast and for the most part, it's professionally handled. It usually costs around $30 but sometimes you can touch a special like I did and pay $19.95. Some people in life like to get their hands dirty, and others just like to spend money. If you make the decision to change oil yourself in your vehicle, be prepared to get dirty, greasy and wear a little oil. You will get your tools dirty and will sweat in a hot garage for about half an hour.
Other motorists will simply take it to one of those convenient 15 minute chains that specialize in catering to don't like to change oil. It's clean, it's fast and for the most part, it's professionally handled. It usually costs around $30 but sometimes you can touch a special like I did and pay $19.95.
If you are seeing private mechanic it's a good idea to know his qualifications. Sometimes if you pay a mechanic to change oil he will do the job for a fair price,but then later you find out there's an oil leak. Oil leak if you're lucky! I know one individual that had shoddy work then which led to major mechanical failure.
When hiring a mechanic, make sure good communication is established, a set price including labor, parts and any extra services, and that the mechanic is reliable and respected in the community. Does he have many satisfied customers? You can usually tell this volume of work he's currently doing.
Along with the worry of hiring a good mechanic, the $30 charge is simply too much for some drivers and they decide to change oil in their vehicle for free, with just a little bit of effort and one spent afternoon. If in fact you to decide to do it yourself you can expect to save a few dollars and you will have the satisfaction of learning a new skill.
There are other issues to consider when you decide to change oil in your car yourself. Are you equipped with the proper tools? Do you actually know what you're doing? While you can learn how to change oil over the Internet, to do it properly takes study and practice. Don't skimp on $30 if it means sending someone unqualified to do a professional's job. Don't make your car so for this because you're looking to save a few dollars. Realize that in the end it could cost you a whole lot more if it's not done right.
Another thing to think about is proper oil disposal. The safest way to dispose of your oil is to keep it properly contained and find a local shop to take it off your hands. The wrong way to do it is to pour it down a sewer or just throw it in the trash can. The EPA can give out large fines for improper oil disposal.
Would you like to know how to change oil yourself? Maybe you can find a mechanic friend that will show you or take a shop class at a local community college. While simple instructions can be found online, it's a procedure you really have to understand and perform correctly if you want your car to run an optimal order.

Gas Sense

Gas prices are getting more and more ridiculous. And it's going to keep increasing with no limit in sight! For the new car owners out there, do you know that a gallon of unleaded gasoline used to cost only $1.25?
Therefore, it is becoming more and more important to maximize your money and save at the gas station.
So here we have compiled 10 best tips to help you get the most out of your dollar!
Tip 1: Shop Around
This is the advice that you can apply anytime you buy anything. Always shop around. You can get a cheaper price for your favorite brand, and probably a yet cheaper price for a different brand.
Tip 2: Use a Gasoline Credit Card
Gasoline credit cards are great! They can save you 5% - 10% off your gasoline purchase.
Tip 3: Buy Gasoline When the Weather is Cool
Gasoline is denser in cooler temperatures, such as in the morning or at night. Gas stations measure volume, not density, so you'll be getting more solid fuel than vapors, thus improving your overall gas mileage.
Tip 4: Avoid Gas Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks
When underground tanks are refilled, particles at the bottom of the tank get stirred up, and when these particles get into your gasoline tank, they affect the fuel efficiency of your car.
Tip 5: Don't Top Off
The gas pump needs time to draw out the full amount of gas, so When you purchase a bit of gas the station, you get short bursts of fuel that you'll probably pay extra for. You should refill your tank when you have less than half a talk left or when you find a price that is so low you cannot afford to miss it.
Tip 6: Don't Use High Octane Gas
Most cars nowadays are built to run on regular unleaded gas. Purchasing higher octane gas is simply a waste of money. Octane measures how hard it is to ignite gas, not the quality of the gas, so getting higher octane gas will not improve fuel efficiency. You should only get these more expensive gases when your engine pings, knocks or rattles.
Tip 7: Pump Your Own Gas
It's cheaper to pump your own gas at the self-serve stations rather than using the full-serve pumps. Full-serve gasoline naturally costs more.
Tip 8: Lessen the Use of Air-Conditioning
This tip is simple enough. Air-conditioning uses electricity, and they can reduce fuel economy by up to 20%. It's advisable to use the air ventilation system instead.
Tip 9: Plan Your Trip
You can avoid unnecessary driving by planning your trip before hand, and of course that saves you money on gas consumption.
Tip 10: Purchase Vehicles That Get Good Mileage
This is probably one of the best tips anybody can give on saving money at the gas pump. It's always better to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. Check with your car dealer about cars that have better fuel economy.