Establishing safe and conservative oil change intervals is best accomplished through oil analysis performed at a reputable lab. However, at a cost approaching that of a 5 quart oil change, this isn’t always a cost effective solution for passenger car owner.

Of course, the result is that the vast majority of vehicle owners choose not to pay for professional oil analysis services – but they might be willing to perform their own “oil analysis”, if they knew how to do it. It won’t give you detailed numbers as you’d get from a lab, but it can give you enough information to determine whether you should be changing your oil or not (as long as you don’t push things too far).

In the next few paragraphs you will discover the complete details for performing one of six DIY oil analysis tests which can be used to establish the condition of your oil and whether it’s ready for a change.

You might also want to consider learning a bit more about oils and filters in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.

- No More Oil Changes – tons of motor oil information

- The Motor Oil Evaluator –

- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils

The Business Card Test

This test reveals oxidation products, sludge formation, dispersancy failure, glycol contamination, water contamination, fuel dilution, and high levels of particles.

While your engine (and the oil) is WARM (not HOT), pull your dipstick and place one drop of oil on a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay your “oil drop test strip” (the business card) flat, but so that all but the very edges of the paper is suspended. As a possible example, if you’re using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) simply set the card across the top of a cup or mug of some sort.

You want to be patient and wait for the oil drop to be completely absorbed which might take awhile. Once all of the oil has been drawn into the pores of the paper you should be able to begin evaluating the condition of your oil.

- A colorless spot or slight yellowish outer ring = “good” oil.

- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersancy failure

- A black, pasty zone = Glycol (Anti-freeze) in your engine oil

- Center of circle dark with distinct outside ring = Severely oxidized oil

- Center of circle dark with outer rings = Fuel in oil,Fuel dilution

Information for this test featured in: Fitch, J.C., “The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide”, Noria Corporation 2000

Correct car servicing is important if one hopes to enjoy a superior car performance over the long haul. As the price of owning a automobile continues to increase, paying attention to appropriate car service maintenance will allow for lengthier car ownership. Over time, this longer ownership period will help decrease the costs of car loan expenses and interest charges. It’s important to know how to find a quality car servicing station, as well as how to avoid getting suckered by crooked repair locations.

When trying to find a valuable car service repair place, be sure to understand a few time-tested points on the topic. First of all, don’t procrastinate to hit upon an honest car servicing place until one is in fact needed. The worst thing is to have an accident and then be towed to the nearest repair place. Friends and family are a wonderful means to be introduced to a potential repair shop. If they’ve experienced superior repairs, it’s a good chance the repair shop provides the identical service to all their regulars. Before making a final decision, though, be resolved to ask for a few extra references and then ask those individuals about their comments.

Correct car servicing requires knowledge of a few basic maintenance guidelines. Pricey car service repairs can be evaded by following a maintenance calendar. Be certain to inspect the oil level at least once a week. Let the vehicle run for about thirty seconds, turn off, and then hang around for about two minutes or so. Then pull out the oil measuring stick, wipe it off, put it back in, and then pull it out again. This will provide a proper reading of the oil level.

There are various car service timeframes to be aware of. A few key ones are as follows: at every 3 months or 3000 miles, the oil should be changed. Change the spark plugs every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Every 6,000 miles or so, rotate the tires. It used to be that a timing belt could be replaced every 60,000 miles, but today some have varying intervals and owner’s books should also be consulted. Tires should be aligned every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Replace the fuel filter every 35,000 to 40,000 miles. Following car servicing periods such as these will help make certain that a vehicle lasts for the long haul.

Purchasers of Volvo cars must always take notice of the above car service timeframes as well as consulting their manuals for timely Volvo service on their auto. All Volvos should be looked at at the acceptable service intervals that are discussed in Volvo Service Records booklets or at one of the various Volvo dealerships. By taking notice of all car servicing obligations under the hood and on the body, Volvo owners can keep their vehicles in great condition and take pleasure in their driving time for many years.

An additional facet to car servicing to be attentive to are car service repair rip-offs. A set of folks who are time and again victims of this sort of fraud are the aged. One such trick takes place when an apparently caring individual flags an elderly person down. This scam artist discloses to the car owner that it looks like the car requires repairs. The rip-off artist then puts the vehicle up on the jack and untightens the tire so it will look loose. The aged person is swindled into providing the rip-off artist cash to mend the issue.

When taking a vehicle in for car servicing, understand that there exist repair establishments will add unnecessary repairs to the work form in order to boost profits. Taking the vehicle to a different car service repair location can help to figure out whether the additional repairs are truly needed or not.

Owning a vehicle requires much more than just adding gasoline when the tank gets low. By being aware of the basics of car servicing, a car can be made to endure much longer than many people realize. Many repair shops, such as the ones located at many Volvo service locations, include honest people. However, it’s always an intelligent thought process to take the time to realize the car service process.