For customised cars, chances are you are spending more on oil change than those who owns car with no modification. To save up on money even for those who own unmodified cars, you can change oil by yourself. This will save you a lot and it’s very easy to do too.

Here’s how to do an oil change:

Step 1 – Refer to your car’s manual guide

You need to do this to know where your oil tank is located and the oil capacity of your tank.

Step 2 – Warm up the engine for ten minutes

Simply start your customised cars park it is a flat even surface and then let the engine heat the oil. It would be easier to take hot oil out of the tank than cold oil.

Step 3 – Place the new oil container and the funnel on top of your engine

A lot of people tend to forget about refilling their oil tank; this will help you remember to refill the tank with new oil after draining it.

Step 4 – Lift the vehicle using a scissor lift

Before going under your vehicle, be sure that the lift is secured. Locate the drip plug and then unscrew the nuts. Be sure to place the drain pan underneath the plug to prevent spilling the oil all over the place.  Once the oil is completely drained, screw the nut back. Do not over-tighten your screw.

Step 5 – Locate the oil filter and remove it

Refer to your manual about its location and then remove unscrew the nut that holds the oil filter and then twist the oil filter to remove it from its place. Be sure to be careful bout handling the filter because it is full of oil; also do not forget to place the drain pan where oil spill might happen.

Step 6 – Apply new oil on the rubber rim of the new filter

Damp your finger with a little oil and then use it on the new filter’s rim on both sides and then place it back. Use your hand when doing this, you do not need to tighten the screw, it make lose the thread. Replace the sump plug.  Wipe the excess oil.

Step 7 – Refill the tank with new oil

Go to the engine part on the hood of your vehicle. Refill the tank with just enough oil. Remember if your vehicle requires 4.5 L and you bought a 5L bottle, be sure to place the excess or the .5L of oil into a separate container before pouring the bottle over the funnel. Now that’s How to do an oil change.

Although it needs a proper mechanic to fix problems with the car exhaust, you need to be able to troubleshoot to some extent and identify problems with your car exhaust. That way you can save a lot of trouble and prevent getting stuck in difficult situations.

An exhaust system that is not in the right condition will hamper the performance of the engine while leaving out harmful elements. It also poses a serious health threat. How to fix common car exhaust problems?

The first thing you need to check is the length of the exhaust system starting from engine and looking out till the tailpipe. You need to have a careful inspection to ensure there aren’t any fissures or cracks or signs of them along the exhaust pipe. The area where the manifold connects to the cylinder or the main pipe needs to be checked especially carefully. These spots where one part is connected to the other are most likely to develop fissures or cracks.

Another way to spot exhaust problems is by the sound of the engine which will be an unusual hiss or a popping noise. Similarly ensure that the exhaust port present close to the cylinder head doesn’t show burned signs or discolored paint which again suggest problems with the exhaust. The condition of inspecting for car exhaust problems will also depend on the area where you are driving your car.

If there is a lot of winter salt it will eat into the exhaust a lot faster, thus leading to shorter life. Stop and go driving and short trips also affect the condition of the exhaust a lot. Another common problem with exhausts is that there are leaks in the exhaust manifold gasket.

This is usually because of expansion and contraction that happens when the engine is started. These leaks prove very dangerous as they can pass the carbon monoxide into the interior of the car. The problem with a lot of car exhausts is the thinner castings which can crack very easily. These can be replaced though. Also you should ensure that the muffler of the car is shiny and solid which indicates that the exhaust is functioning properly.