With the beginning of the fall semester over, students are no longer running around trying to get everything in order. The first few weeks are dedicated to buying books, finding classes and trying to organize schedules, but one thing that is commonly overlooked and neglected is car maintenance.
It's easy to understand how cars can slip a student's mind, but car maintenance can be just as important as studying for final exams.
Car maintenance consists of many things, but let's focus on the importance of oil changes first.
According to Ford Motor Co., engine oil lubricates and protects the components in an engine. Without it, the metal-on-metal contact that results can severely damage a vehicle's engine. If dirt or other particles build up in the oil, they can scratch or damage vital components.
Think of a car's engine as its heart and the oil as its blood.
When a heart gets contaminated blood, it causes significant problems, such as illness or even death. The same thing happens with an engine.
Having a bad source of lubrication can cause the motor to work harder in order to keep up, or possibly result in much worse – engine failure! This is an expensive repair, and for many students it is the last thing they want to pay for while in school.
By changing the oil in your car, these problems can ultimately be avoided and prolonged.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the average American male driver drives about 16,550 miles per year, while the average American female driver drives about 10,142.
You should change your oil every 5,000 miles or every six months for 2008 and newer model year vehicles, whichever comes first, or every 3,000 miles or every three months for 2007 and older model year vehicles, whichever comes first, according to Ford Motor Co.
Depending on the type of vehicle, oil changes are relatively affordable and cheap.
Local auto-parts stores generally offer a deal for do-it-yourself oil changes. Major stores include AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, Napa, Carquest Auto Parts and Bennett Auto Supply.
However, students generally don't have the tools accessible to change their own oil. Also, certain restrictions affect students who live in dorms on campus and apartment complexes, so changing their own oil is not an option.
Automotive service providers around the city of Gainesville and UF make changing oil affordable to students.
Sears Auto Center at The Oaks Mall is offering a $21.99 conventional oil change or $8 off synthetic or high mileage oil changes until Oct.1.
Tires Plus Total Car Care is offering standard oil changes for $19.99, high mileage for $35.99 and full synthetic oil for $49.99 until Oct. 8.
All students need to do is check and search for auto service providers in their area.
It is important to maintain the upkeep of a vehicle.
Negligence could result in paying a hefty bill to an auto mechanic for problems later on.
Changing the oil in a car is only one of the necessary upkeeps, but it is certainly a vital one.
