Any mechanic will change a car's oil for the cost of the product and labor. Yet it is easy to change oil and a driver can save hundreds each year on auto repair bills depending on how often he drives the car and how old the car is. Keeping in mind some small details can save a driver even more. Buy a good quality oil- There are many things you can buy at a value price, but oil is not one. Choosing cheap oil to save money affects the engine significantly. Quality oil has additives in it to help the car run smoother and keep the engine clean and free from all the buildup that clogs engines. It is the only choice for older cars. Be prepared to get dirty- It is obvious that oil is a black greasy mess. Working under a car with dirty oil that splatters is a sure sign that you should wear old clothes. Put on a bandana or hat to keep your hair clean. When you are finished, take a shower to get the oil off of your face and remove the smell from your body. Your significant other will thank you. Dispose of the oil responsibly- We only have to look back on a major oil spill to see what oil can do to the environment. Oil can not only suffocate animals but it is highly flammable. Instead of throwing away the oil or letting it run into the street, catch it in a tray and recycle it either at a landfill or at the nearest service station. Keep track of your mileage- Experts recommend changing a car's oil every 3000 miles. The average car can go for 5000 miles without needing to. No matter how often you decide to change the oil, it is easy to forget the last time you did it. Use a small notebook in the glove compartment to note the mileage when the oil was changed and when it should be changed again. Be safe under the car- Put the emergency brake on and use chocks to hold the wheels in place. It only takes the car to move a few feet and you are in major trouble. Do not ever smoke while changing a car's oil or you risk the liquid igniting. Accidents happen every year and can kill someone just trying to save money. | |
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We have lived in our house for two years, and this year was the first summer we had the money and the time to do anything with the backyard. I had to tear up the garden to rid it of all the lily bulbs, making a mess on the sidewalk. We tried to make a swing in the big tree. It ended up becoming a pull knot for our pit bull, but she loves it. Finally, we stained the new deck a solid white. These projects took place over a few months and each of them taught us something about outside DIY projects.
Have a plan- Not having a plan for our swing made it an unsuccessful project. When I had to tear up the garden, I made a plan to first get rid of the lily bulbs and then turn the soil to break up the remaining roots. My garden turned out great and the seeds began sprouting within a week. I even got the idea to put a plant box on the deck railing for easy access to spices from the kitchen. Research city codes, homeowners' association guidelines, property lines, and permits needed for your project- This is mainly for large projects but it can make a big difference depending on where you live. Our garden against the fence separating us from our neighbor so I want to make sure my plants stay on our side. The owners before us installed the fence too close to the road, putting it on city property. Use a tarp to prevent run off- If the project involves disturbing the Earth and may take several days, put a tarp over the project at night and secure it with heavy objects or stakes just in case it rains. Run-off is unsightly and bad for the environment. No one wants to go back to a project having to work with mud and water everywhere. Make it a social affair- Outside projects are a fun way to socialize with family and friends, especially if there is a promise of pizza involved afterward. It also teaches kids a little about owning a home and working with their hands. My husband and I could have used a lot of help staining the deck but we did not think to ask. Our next door neighbor did however fix the leak we had in the sub-pump pipe for us. |
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