
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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Signs to Watch out for Psoriatic ArthritisRead More
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin cells developing too quickly. Excess skin cells lead to the creation of skin lesions. Every 3 in 10 people who are suffering from psoriasis end up contracting psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition characterized by the body attacking healthy joints. This results in inflammation. If not treated, this can cause permanent damage to the joints. You may or may not develop the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis when you first contract the disease and this makes its detection quite difficult. Nevertheless, here a few of the common psoriatic arthritis signs and symptoms and if you are suffering from these symptoms, it is strongly advised to visit a doctor immediately.
Signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
Swelling – One of the most common symptoms of the disease is the unique swelling it causes in the fingers and toes. A sausage-like swelling appears in the toes and fingers if you are suffering from the condition. Visit a doctor immediately if you are suffering from the same as it is quite painful and can lead to permanent deformities if left untreated.
Pain in your feet – While the autoimmune condition causes swelling and joint pain, it is more likely to cause pain in the tendons. Tendons are muscles attached to the bones. Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are the two most common tendon affecting conditions associated with psoriasis arthritis.
Back pain – Every 2 in 10 people suffering from psoriasis arthritis suffer from joint inflammation between the pelvis and the spine and between the spine’s vertebrae.
Morning stiffness – Another common sign and symptom of psoriatic arthritis is the feeling of morning stiffness. You may wake up in the morning and find it hard to move the joints on both sides of the body. You feel stiff and inflexible and you might find it difficult to move. You may also suffer from stiffness when you sit in one place for too long.
The condition of psoriatic arthritis symptoms pictures a grim tale if not treated properly. They may or may not appear during the initial contraction of the autoimmune condition. It is of grave importance to visit a doctor immediately after you recognize the psoriatic arthritis signs and symptoms. You can immediately conclude that you are suffering from psoriatic arthritis if you notice a sausage-like swelling in your toes and fingers. This can be extremely painful and can lead to permanent deformities down the line. Therefore, immediate medical consultation is strongly recommended if you notice any of the aforementioned psoriatic arthritis signs and symptoms.
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Understanding water leakage control solutions and their importanceRead More
Water leakage is a serious issue that is incredibly hard to fix. Undetected water leakage in pipelines and plumbing can damage furniture, valuable goods, and flooring, negatively impacting a home space’s ambiance. The answer to this problem is water leakage control services and detectors. These solutions help control leakage by monitoring water flow through pipelines and resorting to maintenance efforts once leaks are detected. Keep reading to learn more about water leakage control services.
Causes of household water leaks
To accurately address any issue, one must first understand its root causes. Considering that, here are some of the main reasons why water leakage occurs-
Broken seals
Seals are first placed when new appliances are installed in any home. These seals are put close to water connectors and pipelines to avoid leaks. As these appliances age, the seals installed to prevent leakage may wear out or, in most cases, break. This results in small puddles forming near such appliances. Broken seals can be easily replaced, and if one finds too much water surrounding their appliances, they must check the seals. Homeowners must immediately fix seals when they break to avoid further water wastage.Corrosion
The plumbing system in any home is always under a lot of pressure due to water speed, changing weather conditions, and plain wear and tear. As the plumbing systems wear down, corrosion causes the pipes to wither and become porous. It is a problem commonly observed in aging residential establishments. In such settings, upgrading the overall plumbing systems is the solution to prevent water leaks. Brass pipes are stronger, long-lasting, and more corrosion-resistant; therefore, one can choose them over conventional steel pipes for pipes and other materials.Incorrect pipe laying
Laying plumbing pipes that will form the basis of water movement around the house is a complex task, so only professional and experienced plumbers should do it. Pipe leaks often result from incorrect laying. Plumbing systems control water movement against gravity; therefore, the pipes and backflow devices must be laid in a way that the water only flows one way through them. If one finds water leaks in their house and cannot find the root cause of the problem, it is often caused by incorrect pipe laying.Damaged pipe joints
Pipe joints are vulnerable to water leakage, especially if old age and corrosion come into play. As expected, pipe joints also deteriorate over time and develop holes. It causes significant water leakage in houses. Damaged joints are hard to detect, in this case, because the holes tend to be tiny. An excellent way to detect damaged joints is to keep an ear out for the ticking or banging noise the pipes make while hot water flows through them. This noise indicates the kind of pressure the pipe joints are under.Another way to avoid this problem is to have professional plumbers visit one’s house periodically to check for damaged joints and other plumbing issues.
Excess water pressure
It is perhaps the most common cause out there. While persistent high pressure can be dangerous for water pipes, they usually sustain damage and develop leaks if the pressure is uneven or constantly changing between extreme levels. A professional can detect the water pressure and install equipment to regulate the pressure of water flowing through the plumbing system.Benefits of pipelining
Repairing damaged pipes can be costly for property owners. A pre-emptive solution to avoid that is pipelining. It involves the creation of a brand new pipe inside the existing pipes in the plumbing system. This additional lining creates a protective layer that prevents water leakage, regardless of the pressure. Some of the benefits of water leakage control-driven pipelining are:
Inexpensive
Pipelining tends to cost way lesser (about 50% less) than pipe replacement due to various factors like involving lesser labor. This cost benefit is accentuated by the fact that pipelining last longer.Environmentally sustainable
Usually, pipelining tends to be environmentally sustainable and does not leave behind any harmful debris or waste residue that causes pollution.Fast installation process
Installing pipelining on the existing plumbing system is a much faster process than making extensive changes, repairs, or replacements in a house’s plumbing system.Things to consider while buying water leakage detectors
As implied earlier, water leakage detectors offer a handy solution to detect water leaks in one’s home. Before purchasing a product, people must consider certain aspects of each product. Once these factors are considered, they can buy the best detector for their house. A few such factors include-
Type of alerts
Leak detectors come with notification systems that offer alerts on one’s phone or email if a leak is detected. One can consider the type of alerts and devices they receive while buying detectors.The power source of the detectors
Leakage detectors can be battery-powered or used after connecting to the outlets. Based on one’s requirements, one can purchase the safest option available in the market.Smart home integration
Perhaps beyond all considerations, one must see whether a detector can seamlessly integrate with their smart home devices and network. This factor is critical when it comes to the speed and efficiency of leak detectors.
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