Engine Oil M aintenance and D isposal

1. Engine Oil Maintenance and Disposal

2. Checking Engine Oil • You should always check the oil in any piece of equipment before you use it. • The oil level should always be full in an engine, if you run the engine with a low level you can actually be starving it of oil which will eventually result in a costly repair, and a mistake on the owners part that could have been prevented.

3. Oil Changes • Oil is supposed to be frequently changed depending upon the manufacturers recommendation. If you can’t remember the last time it was changed you probably should get it checked or changed. • The oil and filter typically needs to get changed anywhere from every 30 hours to 100 hours. But always look at the owners manual for the proper recommendations. • A good rule of thumb when changing engine oil is to use a sharpie marker and write the date as well as the hours for the next time it should be changed on the end of the filter.

4. Oil Changes cont. • Oil should be changed regularly because overtime the properties of oil breaks down and can actually cause build up in an engine. • This build up results in a sludge that can cause oil flow problems starving the motor of oil • YES the commercials on TV about engine oil sludge are true and it does happen

5. Oil Disposal • Oil should always be properly disposed of. • You should never take oil and pour it directly on the ground, some people used to use it as a weed killer, but you should never do this. If the Environmental Protection Agency catches wind of this you can be handed a pretty heavy fine. • Pouring oil directly on the ground can also lead to a contamination of the underground as well as above ground water supply. • You should never pour oil in a floor drain this can also lead to ground contamination as well.

6. Proper Oil Disposal • Oil can usually be taken to and donated at certain areas, for example local parts stores will often accept oil, anti freeze, old batteries etc. • There are also people that collect an use oil to burn in special furnaces for heating purposes, these people will gladly take this off your hands and will sometimes come and get it.

7. Proper Clean-Up • If a large spill ever occurs you need to contact the EPA in regards to what to do. • If its just a small spill you can typically use floor dry/kitty litter to clean it up but always dispose or recycle the kitty litter, don’t just throw it directly in the trash. • When disposing of oil filters you should let them drain for a day or two before you throw then away