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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Your guide to getting FHA loan approvals
Read moreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a type of mortgage which is insured by the FHA and is considered one of the most affordable and fastest loans to procure.
Simply put, the borrower needs to be approved by the FHA to get this loan. You may then look for different mortgage rates with different FHA-approved lenders. There are plenty of portals which may help you get fast quotes and you may subsequently take the process ahead with any lender whose rates you have found affordable.
Important guidelines to get an FHA loan approval
Discussed below are a few important aspects to keep in mind while applying for an FHA loan.Credit score
The credit score requirement to get an FHA loan approval is not stringent. The minimum eligible credit score for the same is 580. Even if you do not have a credit history, your lender will need to evaluate your eligibility, based on a non-traditional merged credit. Some borrowers may require a score of 640-680 to be eligible for this loan.While this is a guideline set, many lenders also give a loan to people with a credit score of at least 500.
Debt to income ratio
The debt to income ratio is a critical guideline followed by lenders to evaluate the eligibility of a borrower. It is a way in which lenders (even mortgage lenders) calculate a borrower’s ability to repay the debts, considering their regular incomes. The acceptable limit of this ratio is 31:43 to get an FHA loan approval.Mortgage insurance
Even though getting an approval for an FHA loan seems fairly easy, the real challenge arises in getting two types of mortgage insurances as prerequisites. One insurance needs to be paid fully while the other has to have a provision of being paid in monthly installments.Down payment
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan approval is 3.5%. While the standard rate for down payment runs at 20%, the 3.5% comes as a great relief for borrowers who cannot afford such a high amount.Other important areas
A lender will look into your employment history, lawful residency in the US, as well as a valid Social Security number (SSN). You would also require to have an appraisal for the property from a verified FHA-approved appraiser.The other requirements differ from lender to lender, and it is always advisable to gather full information about your verified FHA loan lender before applying for a loan.
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3 ways SMA patients and caregivers can maintain a healthy relationship
Read moreThe relationship between a person diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregiver is a two-way street. It is important to remember that both the patient and caregiver have their individual needs that should be communicated clearly. Irrespective of whether the primary caregiver is a parent, friend, or someone who has been hired to take care of the SMA patient, there are a few important things to consider for a healthy relationship between them. Below are three tips for SMA patients to maintain a healthy relationship with their caregivers-
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes
SMA patients should remember that their caregivers, whether family, friends or professional caregivers, have their own schedules and needs. One needs to ensure that they don’t make any last-minute changes without informing the caregiver well in advance. A caregiver plans everything according to the SMA patient’s schedule, and any sudden changes might cause problems with the caregiver’s schedule and routine. It is important to remember that the caregiver is likely to have other jobs, people to meet, and other personal errands of their own. Hence, it is essential to inform the caregiver in advance if there are any changes to one’s schedule.
- Conveying one’s needs clearly
If an SMA patient is hiring someone through an agency or via the Internet, it is vital to know that the caregiver has probably had clients with a wide range of needs, levels of independence, and abilities. Hence, it is necessary for the patient to inform the caregiver about what their specific needs are, what tasks they can do, and what tasks they cannot perform. The best way that a caregiver will be able to help a patient properly and cater to all their needs is by just communicating with them. If one is used to doing certain things in a particular manner, let the caregiver know that beforehand so that they are able to do their job thoroughly by keeping their patient’s needs in mind.
- It is okay to have disagreements with the caregiver
When the caregiver is a friend or family member, fights and arguments are inevitable. However, when one has a fight, a confusion, a misunderstanding, or whether there is a simple disagreement with one’s caregiver, one needs to ensure that this tension does not last. It is important to communicate openly and work together towards solving the problem.
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes