How often should you change the oil in your car? It used to be that mechanics and car experts recommended you change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever came first. While that was necessary with the vehicles of the past, modern cars are engineered to be more efficient and durable.

How Often Should You Change the Oil in Your Car?

Not changing the oil in your car can cause the parts in the engine to wear down over time. It can also cause blockages in the passageways for the oil, which can lead to oil starvation and the engine components fusing together.

What it comes down to is the automaker’s recommendation. Each car company has a group of talented engineers who designed your car from the ground up, including the engine. They know better than anyone how often the oil should be changed. The owner’s manual will include your vehicle’s recommended oil change intervals. If you don’t have the manual, the automaker’s website will have the exact specifications.

How to Change Oil in a Car

Changing your own oil is a simple process. Before you start, gather the necessary supplies and tools:

• Motor Oil – be sure to get the proper grade for your car
• Oil Filter
• Socket Wrench
• Oil Filter Wrench
• Funnel
• Container to Catch the Oil
• Gloves
• Jack Stands

First, if the engine is cold, start it up and let it run for a few minutes to heat up the oil; otherwise some will stay trapped in the different nooks and crannies. Then, follow these instructions:

1. Turn off the car and jack up the front end, supporting each side with jack stands.
2. Remove the drain plug using the socket wrench. Be careful, because hot motor oil will come flowing out.
3. Once the flow of oil slows to a drip, loosen the oil filter using the oil filter wrench. Before screwing on the new filter, rub some of the new oil on the rubber gasket, otherwise it could fuse to the engine and be almost impossible to remove.
4. Replace and tighten the drain plug.
5. From there, you need to remove the oil-filler cap on the top of the engine, place the funnel in the opening, and pour the oil inside. Clean up any spilled oil.
6. Then, start the engine and let it run for a couple of minutes. Turn it off and check the oil level. If it’s low at all, add some more oil and repeat the process until the level is good.

You need to take the container of used motor oil to a recycling location, where it will be disposed of properly.

Can You Put Too Much Oil in a Car?

Yes, but not if it’s only a little too much. Filling the engine with an excessive amount of oil can cause serious damage to the engine due to foaming oil that doesn’t pump well. If the oil level on the dipstick is slightly above the maximum line, you should be okay.

This is why it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for how much oil to use. If you have any question about the actual level in your car, start with less than you think you need, and add more. Adding more is far easier than having to drain excess oil from your car.

Signs of Low Oil in a Car

The main sign that your car is low on oil is when the oil pressure light comes on. It’s usually red and is in the gauge cluster, where you can’t miss it. If that happens, you need to pull over and add oil to the engine before continuing to run the car. When the light flickers, that means you need to add oil immediately, because it’s dangerously low.

Another sign of low oil is if you check the dipstick and the level is low. You should be checking this periodically, ideally about once a month or more often if you have a higher-mileage car.

A noisy engine can indicate the oil level is low, as you hear the valves or bearings in a more pronounced manner. One of the worst signs is knocking. This can indicate you have only a few hundred feet before the engine seizes, so don’t ignore this one.

 

There are many engine oil types for cars, which can make choosing the right kind a daunting task. If you visit a big box store or automotive parts outlet, it’s not uncommon to stand mesmerized by the choices.

Demystifying Oil Grades

You need to know that the different letters and numbers on oil containers mean something. They indicate the grade or viscosity of oil, which is a measurement of its resistance to flow. The higher the viscosity, the slower it flows, like honey.

The first number, before the “W” (which stands for “winter”) is the viscosity rating for cold weather. As you can probably guess, the second number is the high temperature viscosity rating. The bigger the spread between the two, the better an oil protects the engine in a variety of environments.

While it might now be tempting to just pick an oil based on the grade, you shouldn’t. Vehicle manufacturers always recommend what grade of oil you should use. See the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to get the exact specifications for your vehicle.

In some cases, you might have your choice between two oil grades. In the wide-ranging climate of Atlanta, it’s generally a safer bet to choose an oil that can withstand a variety of temperatures.

Types of Engine Oil

Your engine oil choices go beyond just grades. Likely, you’ve noticed there are quite a few types of oil: convention, synthetic, and high mileage to name a few.

These types of car engine oil can be confusing if you don’t know anything about them. Armed with information about the differences between them, you can make an educated choice.

Engine Oil Types for Cars:

• Synthetic: With synthetic motor oil, you get a product that’s been through a special chemically engineered process. As a result, the oil molecules are more uniform than in other oils. This means fewer impurities and better protection for your engine. For the most part, synthetics perform better in extremely cold and hot temperatures. They provide superior protection for your engine, and can even extend how long you can go between oil changes, if the manufacturer says that’s the case.
• Synthetic Blend: Instead of being fully synthetic, the base of this oil is a premium version of conventional oil. Some synthetic oil is then added. This mixture is better at low-temperature performance than regular motor oil, and it resists oxidation better.
• Conventional: This is your “regular” or average oil. If you have a car with a simple engine design, plus you don’t push your vehicle hard or drive in extreme conditions, this might be your best option. Additionally, this type of engine oil typically has the lowest price tag.
• High Mileage: This is a good option if you have an older vehicle, or a newer car with over 75,000 miles on it. Thanks to some special additives and formula, this oil is less prone to burn-off. High mileage oil is designed to fight off sludge buildup, a residue like tar that can accumulate as you don’t change the oil often enough. It’s also designed to prevent oil leaks, which are more likely with older engines, thanks to conditioners for internal engine seals.

High Mileage vs Synthetic Oil

If you have an older car or one with a lot of miles, you might be wondering if getting synthetic oil is better than choosing high mileage oil, or vice versa. Regular synthetic oil doesn’t have the same additives as high mileage oil, but it does provide superior wear protection.

That being said, there are high mileage synthetic oils, giving you the best of both options.

The Bottom Line About Engine Oil Types for Cars

When it comes to engine oil types for cars, it might seem like there a lot of options to choose from, but only a few will be optimal for your specific vehicle.

From there, all you need to decide on is a brand. It seems like everyone has an opinion about which brands are best. It’s true that not all engine oil is created equally, since the various companies have different standards. That being said, in general you’ll enjoy the best quality from well-known industry names versus generic or no-name oils. If you plan on keeping your car for the long haul, opting for the more expensive but well-known brands is always a safe choice.

The next time you go shopping for engine oil, the wide selection at the store shouldn’t look nearly as confusing. As always, you can contact T3 Atlanta for help with oil changes or other maintenance items on your car.

When doing repairs or even maintenance on a car, you might be presented with a choice between Aftermarket vs OEM parts. This can be a confusing and even worrisome thing, because most people know their car is a big investment, and they don’t want to suffer the consequences of a bad decision. There are even well-intentioned friends, family and associates that will give you their opinion on which is better. So, it’s no wonder that plenty of people feel completely confused about the whole aftermarket vs OEM parts debate.

Some aren’t sure what it’s all about, so if that’s you there’s no need to worry or feel embarrassed. You should first understand what aftermarket and OEM parts are, then you can form an educated opinion on this debate.

What Are Aftermarket Parts?

Any vehicle components that are made by a company other than the original manufacturer technically are aftermarket parts. In other words, if you can’t buy them from the dealership parts department, different components are aftermarket.

You can get direct replacement aftermarket car parts, which are designed to fit in the same place as the original components, and will perform the same function.

These parts shouldn’t void the vehicle warranty, although you should check before you buy. Sometimes these parts work better than the original ones, such as by addressing inherent design flaws or weaknesses.

What Are OEM Parts?

Any vehicle component that’s made by the original manufacturer is considered OEM, or original equipment manufacturer. They are the exact same parts that were on your car when it rolled off the assembly line.

You usually get a warranty with OEM parts, something you may or may not get with an aftermarket option. Also, there’s no question about the component fitting correctly. These parts were designed from the very beginning for your car, and so should perform reliably.

Costs of Aftermarket vs OEM parts

The assumption made by many people is that aftermarket parts are always cheaper than OEM options. That’s usually the case, but there are exceptions. If an aftermarket option is made far better, or is packed with more features, it could cost more. But the point of most aftermarket components is they help you save money by cutting costs.

With OEM parts, the price can be considerably higher because you can only buy them from dealerships and maybe the automaker’s official parts website. For aftermarket parts, there are many brick and mortar as well as online stores you can buy them from, plus usually at least several versions of the same part. It’s simple economics that when there are fewer options, prices rise, while more options mean prices drop.

The Question of Quality

Of course, everyone wants good quality without having to pay more than what’s necessary to get it. Before you just assume OEM parts are the answer, remember that some aftermarket components are designed to correct flaws found in the original parts, and they still cost less. In that kind of a situation, you’re getting incredible quality you’d be a fool to pass up. Going with the OEM part means suffering the same lack or performance, bad reliability or whatever is the problem.

To know if an aftermarket part is of good quality, you need to know the different brands out there. Most people don’t, so they avoid taking a chance and choose the OEM part. That might be the safe choice, but it might not be the best one. Ideally, you have a trusted expert who can guide you in making an optimal decision, if you’re not that familiar with aftermarket parts.

At T3 Atlanta, we’re your source for both quality OEM and aftermarket parts. You can count on us to always use whichever option is best for your vehicle so you enjoy the kind of longevity, reliability and performance you deserve, while still reaping optimal savings.

If you’re not a fan of the wheels already on your car, the first step towards replacement is to figure out what fits. But if you’re like most people, the first step you take is to ogle wheels online and decide what looks good, then worry about if your choice will fit. Knowing about wheel sizes for cars will help save you a lot of time and hassle.

Take some of the anxiety out of the wheel shopping experience by learning how to select the appropriate wheels. You’ll avoid getting attached to something that won’t work, and it’ll make choosing wheels easier because the options will be narrowed down from the beginning.

Measuring Wheel Sizes for Cars

Before you begin, you need to understand wheel sizes for cars. Each wheel is measured in a few different ways.

• First off is the diameter, or the distance from one edge of the wheel across the face or front, to the opposite edge.
• Next is width, or the distance from bead seat to bead seat on the barrel of the wheel. This is where the tire sits, or is the part you can’t see with the tire mounted.
• Wheel size also includes the wheel bolt pattern, which includes two numbers. The first is the number of bolt holes in the wheel. The second number is the distance from one hole to another, going across the face or middle of the wheel, in millimeters.
• Finally, there’s offset. This is the distance in millimeters between the mounting surface and centerline of the wheel.

Many people wonder how they can measure car wheel sizes. You can measure everything but wheel width with the tire mounted. It’s a straightforward process with a tape measure. These measurements are critical, since they must be compatible with your vehicle, or it might not fit and could pose a safety issue.

Other Wheel Size Considerations

If you want to change the wheel size on a car, there’s more to the process. The wheels need to be small enough to clear everything else on the car, including suspension components, the fenders and other components.

If your vehicle is stock, there are plenty of guides that will tell you how much bigger you can go with the diameter and even the width. If you’ve installed a lift or lowering kit, the kit’s manufacturer should supply this info.

Don’t Forget Tire Size

While you’re looking at wheel sizes for cars, you’ll also need to figure out what size tires will fit on your car. Tire size is dictated partly by the wheels you get, because the tires must be wide enough to fit. If you’ve upgraded your wheel size, you need to choose tires that will clear the fenders and suspension components, otherwise you’ll have rubbing, which wears down the tread unevenly.

Tires have their sizing information printed right on the sidewall. Here’s how to interpret the numbers and letters you see.

• The first letter indicates the use of the tire (P for passenger car, LT for light truck, etc.). Some tires may not include this number.
• The second number is the section width, or the overall width of the tire, in millimeters.
• The number after the forward slash is the aspect ratio, or the distance from the wheel mounting surface to the outside of the tread. Essentially, it shows how tall the tire is.
• Then there’s a letter for the speed rating, followed by a letter indicating construction type.
• The last number is the size, or diameter, which needs to match up with the wheel.

Ultimately, some people question if tire size really matters. It does, because it affects performance. Aside from fitting on the vehicle without rubbing, the height of the sidewall is key. Taller sidewalls absorb the forces from impacts, like hitting a pothole, better than low profile tires, or tires with short sidewalls. When it comes to cornering hard, the taller sidewalls provide a mushier feeling, while the shorter ones add a crisp feeling to how the car handles.

If this process still seems confusing, the best thing to do is consult with a professional. They can walk you through everything, and help ensure you don’t compromise performance and safety for looks.

Spark plug maintenance is something most people never think about until there’s a problem. To understand how to care for yours, you need to understand what they are and how they work.

What are Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs are small cylinders with a threaded end, kind of like a bolt. Each one sits at the top of your engine’s cylinders. If you have a V-6, there will be six spark plugs. If you have a four-cylinder, there will be four spark plugs.

Without getting too complex, spark plugs are fed electricity from the car’s ignition system, which includes the battery and alternator. Fuel and air are pumped into the cylinders, then a spark is generated by each plug to ignite the mixture and cause a miniature explosion. This is what makes your car run.

Think of spark plugs as being like little matches or lighters that start the fire. They do this over and over as the engine runs.

Spark Plug Maintenance

A problem with your car’s spark plugs can mean it won’t start, or at the very least it will run roughly. Running your engine with dirty spark plugs hurts performance. Depending on how dirty they are, less of a spark is happening inside the cylinders. As a result, you don’t extract as much energy from the gasoline. This leads to less power and poorer fuel economy. Since this happens gradually over time, you might not even notice a difference.

Over time, spark plugs can become dirty as they’re exposed to different things. Overall, they’re made to clean themselves as they get hot. If you take frequent short trips, the spark plugs don’t heat up as much, and this can lead to problems. If you pull out the spark plugs from your engine and find they’re dirty, you have options. Instead of just throwing them away and installing new ones, it’s easy and inexpensive to clean them.

Spark plug maintenance is easy to do at home. All you need are a small wire brush and some gloves since it’s a dirty job. From there, you just brush off any buildup, almost like you’re brushing your teeth.

How to Know When Spark Plugs Are Dirty

A few different symptoms can indicate that your spark plugs are dirty. Usually, people don’t notice these until there’s a big problem. One of the most common is if the engine is sluggish or not as powerful as it used to be. This can be coupled with diminished fuel economy, which you should be measuring at least once a month, if not each time you fill up with gas. Of course, modern cars often have a fuel mileage monitor, which is a huge help for keeping track.

A more obvious symptom is if the engine is sputtering, stuttering or stumbling. It could also manifest by having trouble starting the engine. This is caused by a lack of spark not burning the fuel, or burning so little that the engine almost stalls. If you don’t perform regular spark plug maintenance, the problem could potentially leave you stranded.

Where to Buy Spark Plugs

If you don’t have the time or expertise to clean spark plugs, or if that doesn’t work, you can buy new ones. Depending on your vehicle, the cost may be minimal, and you’ll be ensured excellent performance. Spark plugs are sold at automotive parts stores, as well as online. Always buy reputable brands from established stores, which ensures that you get quality replacements.

Of course, at T3 Atlanta we can check your spark plugs, clean them or even install replacements quickly. Some of these symptoms could indicate other problems with your car, which we can diagnose and resolve as well.

Most people think of antifreeze and coolant as interchangeable things. The reality is there’s a difference, even though it might be small, and knowing what it is will only help you as a car owner.

What is Antifreeze?

Antifreeze is normally made of propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. Like the name indicates, it doesn’t freeze easily. And unlike water, it doesn’t boil easily. Overheating engines can literally melt, so using antifreeze is essential.

You get another benefit from antifreeze: it naturally protects against corrosion, like rust. That’s great news for all those metal parts the liquid runs over. So it’s a protector against overheating, freezing and corrosion, making it an essential thing for your car.

What is Coolant?

Coolant is antifreeze with water added into it. You can get coolant that’s 70 percent antifreeze and 30 percent water, or a mixture that’s half and half. Your vehicle manufacturer likely recommends one or the other. Of course, you get more corrosion protection with the higher concentration of antifreeze. Adding water actually lowers the freezing point of the mixture.

Without coolant, your car would overheat easily in the summer and have trouble starting in the dead of winter. It should go without saying that you need to ensure your car has enough coolant, or you will suffer from these problems.

Interestingly enough, one of the early signs in the winter that your coolant level has fallen is that the heater stops working, because it actually is fed by the cooling system. In the summer, you’ll notice the temperature gauge climbing higher than normal, indicating you have a problem.

You might be wondering where to buy coolant. It’s available at many big box stores, auto parts centers and dealership parts departments. Coolant can come as a green, purple or orange liquid. Always check the recommended color for your vehicle, which is printed in the owner’s manual, or you potentially risk serious mechanical damage.

Coolant Maintenance Tips

You really should be checking the coolant level in your car at least once a month, along with the other liquids. Modern vehicles come with an overflow reservoir for the cooling system, where coolant flows into and out of as a way to release heat.

After you’ve been running the vehicle and reached the normal operating temperature, check the level using the markings on the side of the reservoir. The coolant should be somewhere between the minimum and maximum lines. If it’s below the minimum, you need to fill it back up close to the maximum level.

Periodically, you need to flush the old coolant out of your car. Over time the liquid loses its ability to keep the engine at an ideal temperature. Flushing it out and replacing the coolant with a new batch is the solution. This will also get rid of deposits which have built up in your radiator over time, which also boosts performance. While you certainly can flush the coolant system yourself, it can be a messy job and you’ll have to dispose of the old coolant properly.

Coolant and Antifreeze Safety Tips

Now that you know the difference between antifreeze and coolant, you might be ready to open up the hood on your car and get to work. But first, consider these safety tips.

Long ago, your only option for adding coolant to a car was by opening up the radiator cap. This is especially dangerous if your car is even slightly hot. There are always warnings printed on radiator caps to remind you of the risk.

Some coolant overflow reservoirs are pressurized, so you have to be careful opening them. Others aren’t and so you can open them at any time without risk. Always follow the warnings printed on all caps and containers in the engine compartment, otherwise you risk serious injury. With pressurized systems, it can be somewhat like opening a carbonated drink that’s been shook up first, so go slow and be careful.

Also, be careful how you store coolant and antifreeze. They are poisonous materials, so kids and animals can become sick or even die from consuming them. Don’t leave them within reach of young kids. If your bottles of coolant or antifreeze are leaking, it is best to dispose of them.

T3 Atlanta

If you have any doubts about adding coolant to your car, have a professional do it for you. It’s not worth the risk of having extremely hot liquid spew out onto your bare skin. That being said, if you’re cautious and follow directions, it’s completely doable for the average person.

At T3 Atlanta, our technicians know vehicle coolant systems well. We can help you maintain yours, so you don’t have to deal with big problems that will leave you stranded or cause serious mechanical problems.