24 - Friday, November 4, 1988 - North Shore News NORTH 2 . a Change oil in the car regularly THE USE of a technically advanc- ead motor oil with superior lubricating qualities and adherence to a good maintenance schedule has never been more important. ‘foday’s high performance, fast burn and fuel-efficient engines are placing a greater demand on motor oil than ever before. They start up and take off more quickly, and produce searing heat that can begin to break down an oil im- mediately. The oil change recommendation offered by the vehicle manufactur- er can ke found in the owner’s manual. The ‘normal service’ recommendation represents the maximum allowable drain interval under ideal driving conditions. However, for excessive short trip driving, stop-and-go traffic, dusty road conditions or extreme hot or cold weather, the oil should be changed more frequently, follow- ing the guidelines for severe service conditions. Never exceed your automaker's warranty requirements and, in all cases, consult your owner’s man- ual for special requirements. Generally, changing motor oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or three months (whichever comes first) will afford superior engine protec- tion and long engine life. Materials you will need: 1) Approximately five quarts of motor oil. Check your owner’s manual for the proper SAE viscosity, API performance and quantity required for your engine. 2) New oil filter: Most cars use “spin on’? type, available in various sizes. Check your manual for type and size. 3) Drain plug socket wrench or upen end wrench (exact size), plus an oil filter wrench. 4) Large drain pan, six to eight quart capacity. Safety first © Read your owner’s manual for special safety precautions before going under car. * Do not use a bumper jack to fold up car while underneath. (Portable wheel ramps, if available, are ideal and safer.) ° «© Put car in gear or “‘park.’’ Set brakes and chock both wheels with wooden blocks to prevent car from rolling. e Do not start engine without oil. © Follow local ordinances when disposing of drained oil. Step one Warm engine to its normal operating temperature (about five or 10 minutes idiing). Switch off engine. Raise the hood, locate the oil filler cap and loosen it. Step two Locate the oil crain plug underneath the car, at the bottom rear end of the engine sump (or oil pan). Do not loosen the automatic transmission drain plug, usually located further back. (When in doubt, refer to your owner's man- val.) Place the drain pan beneath the drain plug and slightly towards the back. Engage the plug with your wrench and turn it counterclockwise until it rotates freely. Finish removal by hand. Be careful of hot oil, and avoid dropping plug into drain pan. Step three Loosen oil filter (it may be hot) by turning it.counterclockwise with a filter wrench. Avoid touching the removal of the filter manually, catching it in your hand. If filter is installed ‘‘threads up,”’ it will be filled with of! and slightly heavy. Ease it down and away from engine, then tip it over into the drain pan. Step four Clean in and around the filter seat on the engine with a rag. Take a new filter and apply a light oil film to gasket (this film provides necessary sealing). Carefully screw the new filter onto the threaded oil line, turning it clockwise. Once aligned proper- ly, the filter will thread on easily. Snug up tightly by hand. Do not use a wrench or overtighten. Step five Clean the oi! plug and drain seat. Align and replace the plug; screw it in carefully by hand and avoid ‘‘cross threading.’’ Tighten the plug firmly or snugly with a wrench. Do not overtighten. Step six Fill the engine with the required quantity of oil, Check oil dipstick to assure proper fill level. The oil light should go out soon after the engine is started. Run engine for several minutes, turn off engine and recheck oil dipstick to assure proper oil level. Then check under the car for leaks. Keep a written record of the current mileage and date in the glove compartment. For the finest engine care, use premium motor oils. Precautions to follow * Prolonged and repeated skin contact with used motor oil should be avoided; © Wash thoroughly with soap and water to remove motor oil from skin. Do not use gasoline or other organic solvents. ¢ Skin contact with clothing that is oil-soaked should be avoided. Oil-soaked cloths should be wash- ed before re-use. All oil-soaked ar- ticles that are unwashable should be discarded. © Dispose of all used oil in ac- cordance with Federal, provincial and local regulations. If possible, deliver to a certified used oil rec- lamation centre. Protect the en- vironment and dispose of used oil properly. CAUTION: Prolongea and repeated skin contact with used motor oil may be harmful. Used motor oifs have been shown in laboratory tests to cause skin cancer in mice. No direct evidence exists of similar effects to humans in normal anticipated use. However, there may be a potential tisk from prolonged or repeated skin contact in the absence of good personal hygiene. Delco batteries keep you off the hook. This winter, don't be left out in the cold. Hook up with the name you can count on. AC-Delco. Deico stands tor dependability, for sure-fire starts day in and day out. So don't get stuck at the side of the road. Let us instal! a new Deico battery for you today.