The model of a vehicle refers to the specific type of make. The model year of the vehicle is not necessarily the year in which it was built. The date of manufacture is listed inside the driver’s door, on the vehicle certification label. This is the actual month and year that the vehicle rolled off the assembly line. Several different types of vehicles are designed to meet consumer demands. Examples include: pickups (e.g., sport utility vehicles (e.g., sport utility trucks (e.g., compact cars (e.g., full-size cars (e.g.,), mini-vans (e.g., full-size vans (e.g., and sports cars (e.g.,
The size of the engine is the combined volume of the cylinders. Engine size can be found on the EPA sticker under the hood. Common engine configurations include inline, opposed, slant, or “V”. The number of cylinders within the engine block is also used to identify the type of engine design. Engines have 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, or 12 cylinders.
Automobiles allow people to work many miles from where they live, sometimes commuting hours each way. In a little over one hundred years, automobiles have become common to almost every household in the United States. With an ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road and demand for oil increasing, fossil fuel prices will certainly increase. Even today, manufacturers are beginning to produce hybrid electric vehicles and are experimenting with hydrogen-powered fuel cells that may eventually diminish our reliance on fossil fuels regular oil changes will extend the life of your vehicle and enhance its performance. Because contaminants are regularly deposited into your car's oil resulting in sludge that decreases your engine's performance you should get an oil change approximately every three months or 3,000 miles.
Oil Change Equipment
Before getting started with your oil change; make sure you have the following materials on hand. 3/8-drive socket set
Combination socket set and/or closed and open ended wrenches.
Oil filter wrench
Oil receptacle such as a pail or old kitchen pot
Two plastic milk containers (with screw on caps).
Oil funnel
Some old rags
Latex gloves (optional)
Jack and two jack stands New oil filter (see owner's manual for specifications)
New oil to refill the engine. (The back page of your vehicle's manual should indicate grade and number of quarts.) Before you begin, be sure to have a planned method for disposing of your dirty oil. Step 1: Identify a flat space to work in your drive way or garage for you to perform the oil change. Drive the vehicle around the block to heat up the engine and its contents. Step 2: Turn off your engine, put the car in Neutral and set the emergency brake firmly in place. Step 3: Open the hood on the vehicle. Locate the oil cap and remove it so that the oil can drain more quickly. Jack the vehicle up, one side at a time and place the jack stands under a convenient and safe place. (Never mount your car on a jack only - you must use jack stands.) Get on the ground and locate the bottom of the engine. Loosen the oil drain plug using the correct socket or wrench from your set by experimenting with each until you've found one that nicely fits over the nut. Step 4: Once the nut is cracked, loosen it carefully, using caution. Loosening the nut too much or too quickly will cause the oil to spill out. Position your pan according to the way the oil drain plug is positioned. If the plug points sideways move the pan away from the plug a little so that the oil streams in the pan and not all over your grounds. Once correctly positioned, loosen the plug entirely. Most of the oil should drain in about two minutes.
Step 5: Look up into the engine and locate the oil filter, Retrieve your oil filter wrench. Slip the oil filter wrench onto the old filter and turn the wrench in a counterclockwise motion. Again, use caution. Loosening the filter too quickly will spill out hot oil. Usually, after breaking the initial seal you can twist the old filter by hand. Make sure your face is clear of the area and pour the contents of the filter into the receptacle or pan.
Step 6: Coat the rubber edges of the new oil filter. With a clean rag, wipe off the round metal circle on the engine where the oil filter fits and put the new filter in place. Hand tighten the new filter about 1/2 or 3/4 of a turn. If it doesn't tighten simply fit the wrench back onto the filter and tighten it the same manner it was loosened, but this time tightening in a clockwise motion. Step 7: Clean the drain plug prior to reinstalling it on the engine oil pan. Thread the drain plug back into its hole. Tighten it up with the socket or wrench. Step 8: Pour the content of the old oil into your milk bottle using the funnel. Wipe the funnel clean and seal the milk carton with its lid. Place the old oil filter into a plastic bag for later disposal at your nearest recycling center. Now place your clean funnel over the oil spout underneath your hood and deposit as many quarts of oil as directed by your vehicle's manufacturer. Replace the oil cap and close the hood.
Step9: Place a metal pan or old piece of carpet under you vehicle. Start your engine and let idle for 5 minutes. Make sure to look underneath your vehicle for oil leaks. If your vehicle is leaking, it's probably best to have it corrected by an oil change station. Crime, especially theft, continues to increase in California. Be careful at all times. Lock your suitcases and do not leave temptation lying about on a car seat Leave valuables at home or lock them in the trunk. On the streets, it's best to avoid discussions with people who have hard-luck stories: Although there are plenty of legitimate beggars, there are even more con artists trying new ways to part you from your money. Do not accept food or drink items from strangers, including children. There have been incidents where these have been drugged to aid robbery. Carjacking is a fact of life in California. If you're in a car downtown, keep the windows rolled up and your doors locked at all times. If you are involved in a minor collision, especially at night, drive on to the nearest police station. Do not stop to assist with any roadside emergency—this may be a ploy. You should not offer rides to anyone you don't know, and it's best to drive with a companion whenever possible. Student demonstrations are often advertised days before the event. When they take place, avoid the city center, the rally grounds and areas around the universities. Don't offer anybody anything in public spaces, restaurants or pubs, however friendly they are. This could lead to a familiarity that might be hard to shrug off. Be firm but friendly. Shopping trips, errands, and after-school activities are ideal times to sharpen "around the town" driving skills. Although young people have naturally quick reflexes, they haven't developed good driving judgment; only time behind the wheel can give them that. Many states require only six hours of supervised driving time, but most professional driving instructors suggest at least 40, and in all kinds of conditions -- nighttime, rain, sleet, snow, rush hour, high-speed, etc. Set a good example when you yourself are driving. Stick to the speed limit, use your turn signal, wear your seat belt, and show respect to other drivers on the road. Do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, and don't walk around with a camera hanging around your neck. Be aware that backpacks can easily be pilfered or slashed while on your back, and fanny packs can be ripped off. Some thieves specialize in jostling and robbing you on overcrowded public transport, so take a taxi instead and be sure to lock your passenger doors once inside. The CONTENTS of your Roadside or Emergency Response Kit should contain : tow rope tin can or tin cup flashlight Candles water Windshield scraper/brush Blanket First Aid Kit Whistle Matches/lighter Flares Booster cables Food Reflective vest can opener Map Fuses Tools Compass Emergency tire repair/tire inflation can (Gunk®) Do not stand in front of or behind a vehicle when someone else is trying to rock the vehicle out of a stuck situation. Do not eat snow as it takes a huge amount of calories to melt the snow and it also reduces your body temperature. Do not fall asleep while the candle is burning. Always be careful with open flames. Windshield scraper/brush. Self-explanatory Matches or Lighter. Waterproof and windproof matches are suggested by many organizations that promote emergency kits. Booster cables. In order to avoid disappointment, do not buy the cheapest set you can find. Consider investing in a variety of spare electrical fuses that are compatible with your type of vehicle. Water. Don’t let it freeze and don’t store it where it will leak on other emergency items that you need to keep dry. Do not use flares if you suspect a fuel leak. A reusable alternative is the reflective triangles. They are portable and reusable. The only down side is they need a light source in order to be seen whereas a flare can be seen from any angle of approach. Caution, this item may not be reliable in the severe cold. Read the instructions. Roadside Emergency Kit Dos and Don’ts: Do become familiar with your kits contents and limitations. Do Plan ahead and review your emergency kit contents at lease semi-annually to ensure all items are accounted for and in good repair. Don’t’ forget to restock your kit after each use. Do check all batteries regularly. Do place a copy of this list in your kit as an inventory check sheet. Do store as many items as you can in one container dedicated for this purpose. Don’t keep this to yourself; make sure everyone that uses the vehicle is aware of the importance and location of the emergency kit. Do make necessary adjustments to customize the kit for your needs in the case of an emergency such as any essential medications you may need. Don’t make kit too big as it will become cumbersome and only end up getting left behind to make room for other things. All car seats rated by NHTSA meet Federal Safety Standards & strict crash performance standards. While all rated seats are safe, they do differ in their ease of use in four basic categories: NHTSA Ease-of-Use 5-Star Ratings NHTSA uses a five-star rating system to help consumers evaluate the four basic category ratings.
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