Motor Oil Matters – Guess who did my Oil Change

When I was younger, my dad Owned an Automotive Body Shop.  So I grew up around cars all my life.  Most of the guys I dated were car guys.  Some just worked on their own cars – others Modified their cars to make them faster. With that said, very rarely did any of my cars go to the shop.   I did make sure to keep up with all my routine maintenance – including my oil changes.

I know many people who take their cars to get an oil change done at a shop – as opposed to doing it their selves.  There’s pros and cons in both.   But are you making sure that your oil change is done properly?  Motor Oil Matters has offered a Great Checklist

Did you Know:

• AAA expects between the major summer holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day to aid over eight million motorists, and cautions drivers that auto maintenance is key to avoiding summertime travel breakdowns. Ensuring quality motor oil in your car is one way to prevent road trip problems.
• Motor Oil Matters, or MOM, a new consumer education and industry watchdog program by the American Petroleum Institute, has been established to stress the benefits of quality licensed motor oils and call on to the carpet those who engage in deceptive practices.
• Service-locators can be quick to offer discounted services to people who are looking to reduce their automotive maintenance costs.  Make sure your service provider is pouring quality motor oil into your car before you decide on a cheaper deal.

When my car was due for an oil change, I realized that I had never learned how to do my own oil change on my Car.

I knew how to do them on my other cars.  Heck, I even knew how to do a Tune-up on my First car (I had an old boat of a car – a 1980 Thunderbird).  I’ve had my G6 for going on 5.5 years now, and not once have I done my own oil change.  When I bought it,  worked 2 jobs and was barely home.  So my ex-husband or my father-in-law would switch cars with me for a day then do the oil change while I was at work.  The after I left the ex, Jeff would borrow my car and do my oil change while I was at work.  Now that things have changed and I have more free time I asked him to teach me how to do my own oil change.

First thing we did was check the owners manual to make sure we got the correct Oil for my car.

Motor Oil Matters. Oil comes in different weights and forms, so it is best to know what the correct type to use for your vehicle is, and how much you should use.  We typically get oil at Walmart, because we can buy it in a larger quantity at a more reasonable price. I must have a semi unique oil filter, because I cant seem to find it at regular stores, I have to specifically go to Auto Zone.   If you are unsure, or forgot what filter your manual said to get, you can look through the guides they have in the aisle.  All you do is:  match up your car year – model and engine size and it will give you the correct code for your specific oil filter.

 Changing the oil was a bit of fun.

Draining the oil can be quite messy (especially if you’re doing it for the first time) So make sure you have a large container to catch the oil in.  After everything is drained you get to change your filter. Depending on the car, it may not be the easiest to access.  After the filter is changed, you’re good to put in new oil.  Pay attention to how many quarts you put in.  Too little or too much oil can be bad for the engine.   My car has the oil change gauge – So I always know when to change my oil.

I am truly blessed that My husband is a Mechanic.  So I am always confident that the job is done right – if I’m not doing it myself.

If you Change your own oil, or if you have someone else do it, make sure double check the MOM’s Oil Change Checklist. Motor Oil Matters.

*I received a gift card to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Photos Compliments of My Hubby!