Driving a vehicle isn’t just about turning the ignition and heading outdoors. Every once in a while, you need to maintain the automobile. Vehicle maintenance usually involves inspecting, repairing, or replacing parts. Even the engine oil gets old every few hundred miles and requires replacement. However, there are several errors that people make when swapping out old oil with a fresh batch. Here are seven of them that you should avoid.
Making the change on a cool engine
Oil tends to get sluggish and thick when it cools down. So draining it at cooler temperatures could take time to get the job done. Moreover, the residue in this thick liquid may remain in the engine parts and cause problems later on. Therefore, before you drain the engine oil, ensure that the engine runs on idle for about five to ten minutes, based on the climatic conditions. The process heats the oil and makes it more liquid, ensuring that most of the old engine oil is drained correctly.
Improper drain plug installation
The drain plug ensures that the engine oil stays inside, except when maintenance is carried out. However, many people are unaware of how tight they should screw on the drain plug following the oil replacement process. Some individuals make the plug excessively tight, which results in it getting jammed permanently. Others leave it loose, which could lead to the plug falling off in the middle of a journey. This can lead to losing oil, increasing friction between its components, and leading to damage inside the engine. To ensure that the drain plug is put back properly, you must tighten it with your fingers until the gasket touches the surface of the drain pan. Follow this with a tool to rotate the plug to sit firmly in place.
Not keeping track of mileage
The engine oil needs to be changed out after one of two conditions are met. This includes the oil being used for a couple of months or surpassing a particular amount of miles. But many people do not keep track of the mileage, which could make it difficult to assess if the oil is burnt and requires a change. Changing out oil too early may also harm the component. So when you replace the oil, or get it changed at the garage, ensure that you mark its current mileage and the date it was changed. Doing so will help you determine when the oil needs to be swapped out again.
Neglecting offers
In a rush to get the job done quickly, people often buy vehicle oil for the price quoted by a retailer. And while one may not realize it, the oil could have cost them much more than they should have paid. Therefore, when you are out shopping for engine oil, do your research and check multiple retail stores for the best price. You could also check online and compare rates to find the best deal. Manufacturers may also issue oil coupons when you take your vehicle for service. Saving even a couple of dollars off engine oil helps reduce maintenance costs over time.
Using the same oil filter
The oil in an engine churns around for anywhere between a couple of hundred to a thousand miles before a change. Anto d over time, residue may also build up in this oil due to the constant friction of moving parts inside the engine. An oil filter collects and traps these contaminants so that it does not interfere with the engine. But a common problem here is that people who replace their engine oil sometimes use the same filter again to save some dollars. But in doing so, they risk obstructing the flow of the necessary oil to the engine, which can cause immense damage to the component. So when replacing the oil, ensure the oil filter is replaced to improve the life of the vehicle and avoid unnecessary repair costs.
Using the wrong oil
Several manufacturers create a series of engine oils that have attractive labels and come at competitive prices. Family and friends may also recommend other types of oil for the engine. However, a vehicle engine is designed with certain oil passage sizes and bearing clearances requiring a specific engine oil viscosity. And while the alternative engine oil might come at a more affordable price, using it may damage the engine. Moreover, the deteriorated engine will require repairs on a regular basis in the long haul, which could cost a significant amount of money. Therefore, it’s better to go with the brand and viscosity of oil that is recommended by a vehicle manufacturer.
Forgetting to refit the oil filler cap
Some individuals may fill the engine with the correct oil but forget to place the oil filler cap once the work is complete. Forgetting to do this may result in oil spewing out of the filler hole into the engine compartment when the vehicle is turned on. This could also lead to surfaces like the hood, front tires, and surrounding area getting stained with oil, which could be tedious and expensive to clean up. So when you fill the oil, make sure to secure the filler hole with the cap to avoid such mishaps.
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5 things to look for in the best contract phones
Read moreEarlier phones used to come with a contract. All major carriers like AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-mobile, and Sprint were competing with each other for giving the best phone contract deals.
There are hardly any carriers that offer contract phones these days, but if you are specifically looking for the best phone contracts, then here are some things to consider before you take one:
- Cheaper phone: When carriers offer you a contract, a smartphone that works with that carrier often comes at a discounted price. Hence, you have to pay less for the phone. When you renew your contract with the same carrier, you have the option to change your phone too.
- Hidden charges: Be wary of the hidden charges that come with the contract. Normally the plans remain unchanged during your 2-year contract tenure. So there should not be any more extra charges apart from those mentioned in the plans.
- Saves money: No doubt while looking for the best phone contracts, you save money as you get a phone with the contract at a subsidized rate. You have the same plan for 2 years and that way your budget stays the same until the last day of your contract.
- Better coverage and network: Contract phones work best if you have a good network and 4G coverage. Normally users with contract get excellent network as carriers want the users to stick with them.
- Switching over: If you are not satisfied with your current contract, you have to either wait for the contract to get over or terminate the contract. If you are terminating the contract, then you have to pay the cancellation fees. In case you are planning to switch from your current carrier, then there are other carriers like Verizon or AT &T that offer competitive plans and some credit for the switchover.
There are few takers for contract phones, as all major carriers are offering unlimited 4G data, HD streaming videos, and 8-10GB of hotspot data. Keep your options open and think before getting into a contract.
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Advantages and warnings of robot vacuum cleaners such as Roomba
Read moreFed up with cleaning the regular dust and dirt sticking to your home floors or the irritating debris that collects in your backyard? If you are thinking of allocating this time-taking job to a robot vacuum, then you are moving on to a good decision. Brands such as Romba have come out with series of automated vacuum cleaners.
A powerful robot vacuum can save your time as well as help you get rid of a tiring and stressful routine job. While a robot vacuum cleaner comes with several advantages, we also want to make you aware of some warnings that come along. Check out both the aspects before you choose the right appliance for your home.
Major advantages of a robot vacuum
- Automatic cleaning: It is a boon when someone can clean your home every day on your behalf. A robot vacuum blesses you with its automatic functioning. It has pre-programmed cleaning patterns and mapping capability. As it cleans your home daily, it enhances this capability and works more efficiently. You only need to sync it and control it through an app available exclusively for your brand, such as Roomba or any other. This way, the robot vacuum will know which areas to cover and how.
- Greener cleaning option: A robot vacuum helps you avoid purchasing expensive cleaning chemicals and wasting gallons of water daily on home cleaning using scrubbers. While it does not eliminate the need for cleaners, it saves you enough to recover its cost. Besides, it offers you a much greener cleaning option.
- Safety assurance: If you think that a robot vacuum can bite you, then it is not the case. It is a safe appliance designed to avoid humans, animals, and similar obstacles like furniture on its way. Such accidents have rare chances of occurring with an intelligent robot cleaner.
- Consistent performance: As there are no chances of human errors with a robot vacuum, the appliance delivers consistent results. It even optimizes its performance when deep cleaning is required. Moreover, it works equally well with light dust and sticky dirt in simple to complex spaces.
- Free time and no labor costs: As you can operate a robot vacuum from anywhere using an app, the appliance leaves you with free time to invest in other activities. Additionally, you need not hire labor for cleaning work.
Warnings that accompany a robot vacuum
Common robot vacuum cleaners such as those from Roomba come with various warnings and precautions. You need to pay attention to these for safe usage.- Performance variations: Do not assume every branded robot vacuum to deliver the same performance. While some leading brands like Roomba offer high-efficiency robot vacuum machines, you should not expect every cleaner to deliver the results that manual cleaning may provide.
- Appliance cost: Investing in a cheaper model will not provide the same results as a high-end appliance will. While you may be ready for a one-time investment, you may have to bear the expenses on replacement parts in case of wear-and-tear happening over time.
- Pre-cleaning needs: A robot vacuum may not recognize every usable item and may suck up things you may not want it to. Thus, picking up small items like Lego or needles is required before running your appliance.