Motor Oil Analysis for Free

By Michael Kafuman

It is generally in your best interest to rely on oil analysis to determine your oil change interval. Of course, on many passenger car vehicles that only take 4-6 quarts of oil, the cost of the oil analysis is nearly as much as a complete oil change.

Of course, the result is that most folks won't pay for a "true" oil analysis - but they might be willing to perform their own "oil analysis", if they knew how it could be done. It won't give you readings as accurate and precise as results 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 that you can use to establish the condition of your oil and whether it's ready for a change.

It would likely also be in your best interests to learn a bit more about lubricants and filters in general. Quite alot of information can be gleaned from the following sites.

- No More Oil Changes - Over 150 pages of motor oil information

- The Motor Oil Evaluator -

- A Motor Oil Forum for discussion of motor oils

Performing the Test

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

You want to place a drop of used oil on the surface of chromatography paper (good heavy white card stock works pretty well too) - make sure the engine/oil is WARM (not HOT). Place your white paper/card someplace where it will be suspended parallel to the ground and so that the oil drop area will be touching nothing - on either side of the card. For instance, if you're using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) you could set the card across the top of a coffee cup.

Wait until the oil drop is no longer moist. Use the list below to evaluate the condition of your oil based on the DRY oil spot.

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

- A dense, dark deposit zone = Dispersant additive failure

- A black, pasty area = 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

Details of this test procedure found in: Fitch, J.C., "The Lubrication Field Test and Inspection Guide", Noria Corporation 2000 - 21396

About the Author:

Would you like to know what the other 5 DIY oil analysis tests are and how to perform them? Simply click over to my BestSyntheticOil.com website to read the rest of the "Poor Man's Oil Analysis" article to determine your proper oil change intervals............

Driving Laws And Legal Defence

By Christos Chalfont

The rules of the road, though they're there for our safety, get broken. More often than not, by accident. If you have been involved in one of these accidents and the blame is being placed on you, you will surely require the services of the best law firm you can find. Although the really top law firms are sometimes expensive, not only will they most likely mean the difference between keeping and losing your license, but usually if you win, they will claim costs back from elsewhere, so you get their services free of charge!

There are plenty of lawyers that would jump at the chance to represent you during the court hearing, but you need to decide who is going to be the best at it.

Well, you could always go for the cheapest option. But for something as serious as a legal accusation, that may not be the best way to choose. Thank goodness for the vast, one-stop, modern day encyclopedia that is the Internet.

All it will take is a little bit of time to visit a few law-firm websites and decide which ones have all the experience and knowledge you need them to have to defend you effectively.

I would strongly advise using a dedicated road law firm. This is because specialist law firms will be far more knowledgeable in their field of expertise than a general law firm will be.

Try and read up on the lawyers that the firms have working for them. You should ensure that they have the best qualifications to represent you along with ample experience in road traffic law. Also, try and find some client testimonials. Although they will only select the really positive ones to put on the website, its always best to read some third party opinions before making a decision.

Forums and blogs about the law in general are things to stay away from because myths arise from people convinced that they know a loophole in the law and so they tell everyone on the blog/forum that it's true when it's simply not. You should see if any of the websites you look at address these myths, as they will most likely know the truth.

If the firm you choose to represent you ticks all the boxes, then you should be confident that you will have the very best legal defence available for your case. - 21396

About the Author:

A great firm for defence in road law cases is Patterson Law. Their website provides you with free legal advice in all areas of road law including of course, Motoring Offence Legal Advice.

Spray Painting Your Car With Aerosol Spray Cans - Bodywork

By Laney Ball

Some people will suggest to you that using aerosol spray paint to paint your car is not exactly a good choice. Its true that you are not likely to get that car manufacturers perfect finish on it, but you still could get various nice results. The essential thing is that you purchase a good quality paint, and most important you apply it correctly. There're some techniques to utilising aerosol spray paints. They're not hard to learn and are well worth the effort.

Firstly you will need to determine if youre just touching up a specified area on your car, or if youre going to re paint the whole vehicle. If you're doing a touchup then you are going to have to pay very close attention to color matching, where as in a complete paint job this isnt rather as important.

Assuming youre going to be doing a touchup you will need a few items. You would need a couple of repair items such as sand paper, putty and a knife. Say the area youre working on is rough or chipped you'll need to sand it down smooth. Say there're pit marks you would have to fill them with the putty then smooth this out.

You will need a good car wash detergent, and degreaser, even if you're doing merely a touch up, it must be utterly clean.

You'll need a couple of paper and masking tape. Take the time to be diligent about covering different regions that could possibly be in the line of fire when youre apply your aerosol spay paint. Even a very light breeze can cause a over spray onto your chrome, windows, etc.

You got to choose your primer, color and finish aerosol spray paints. Be certain to do a color test by doing a very average area first. And then you'll be able to continue.

Test a couple of sprays on some cardboard first to be sure you don't get whatever squirts or blobs, and the paint is spraying evenly. Dont forget to shake the can for at least 2 or three minutes so it is well mixed, or you won't get an even colour.

Keep the spray moving as you press down on the nozzle. Do not hold it in one spot or you'll get runs. It is much better to use a couple of really light coats, then one or 2 heavy ones. If you apply it too thick its going to be very uneven and extremely obvious. It may seem like this is really time consuming, but not nearly as much as it'll be if you've to re-sand the paint off and start again.

Shake the can of aerosol spray paint every couple of minutes in order to keep it well distributed.

Your primer and your top coat must be utilised with as much care as your color is. With the correct application of your aerosol spray paint, your car could end up really awesome looking, and all of the work you put into it will have been well worth it. - 21396

About the Author:

Announcing: The first do-it-yourself spray painting and bodywork course that guarantees you results or your money back. Learn how to spray paint cars with SprayPaintSecrets 2 DVD Course.

The Electric Pocket Bikes Rise In Popularity

By Michael Shores

In the field of mini pocket bikes, electric pocket bikes are quickly revolutionizing the way pocket bikes are viewed. These electric siblings of traditionally gas powered bikes can be just as powerful with the speed to match and are becoming increasingly popular among pocket bike enthusiasts.

Now widely popular around the world, it was originally developed in Japan and was popular for performing tricks and racing. Due to the added safety electric pocket bikes offer, it spread to Europe and the United States with much excitement. The reputation of being dangerous and loud is now countered by the electric engine.

On the other hand, the electric engine is a smooth quiet ride that stores as much as 700 watts of power in an electric motor. It provides a big image boost for the pocket bike industry since the quiet and environment friendly engine is inviting to the more noise conscious crowd.

All the fun and excitement of riding a pocket bike isn't tarnished by the improved safety features in the new electric model. There is an expectation for thrill and that isn't lost in any way. This makes for a new toy available for the younger population as parents are less reluctant once they learn of the improvements made.

The electric pocket bikes usually come with the necessary safety equipment including knee and elbow pads and a helmet. Also, both front and rear disk brakes are vented and can be adjusted by using the brake caliper to help prevent any wear that might damage the brake pads.

Many models are designed with airtight seals inside the tires to reduce the risk of flatting. This allows the bike to maintain its weight even with very low tire pressure and reduces the severity of any accident that results from flatting.

As a way of mitigating theft, the ignition of the bike is covered and locked to keep someone from stealing the bike too easily. And any amount of protection is good since these bikes will definitely get people's attention. The wide selection of color and special attention to detail in the design gives the bike that sexy sporty edge.

For some kids young and old, or really old, this is a dream toy. And for parents, it's a relief to be able to give their child a high end toy that borders the real deal with less risk to safety. It is easy to see why electric pocket bikes are increasingly popular. The racers can start their practicing young and can upgrade to power pocket rockets as they get older and more experienced. - 21396

About the Author:

Visit Pocket Bikes Guide for information on pocket bike parts or mini bikes and pocket bike information in general.

Why CNG Fuel Is The Best Around

By Randy Lieber

CNG has a Distribution System Already in Place that is 1000 times more extensive than that used for petroleum products. Mega tanker ships transport oil from the Middle East. Tanker trucks transport 99% of the gasoline and diesel fuel that we consume at the pump. That itself contributes over 22% of price we pay at the pump, not to mention the danger. The transportation costs associated with CNG are almost fixed. Natural gas is distributed nationwide through an extensive network of pipelines, which feed electrical generation plants and domestic and industrial heating uses. Thus, the use of natural gas in vehicles is "piggybacking" on many years of infrastructure development.

If natural gas is available where you live, you can also install a natural gas pump to your home or business allowing you to refuel your vehicle in your garage. Many people already do this. No delivery needed; natural gas is already being delivered to our homes by underground pipelines. Equipment is $3500 - $4500 and installation is about $500. There is also a $1,500 state tax credit available to offset the cost of installation. The South Coast Air Quality Management District in the Los Angeles basin offers a $2,000 rebate on the purchase of a home CNG refueling device. Utah should to do likewise. So depending on how many miles you drive, this could be a great addition. (Google - "Fuel Maker")

CNG is a LOW COST FUEL or it should be. In Utah, as of 07/14/08, CNG is $.85 a gallon statewide; yes, that's .85 cents! In many other states CNG is as high as $3.75 a gallon. Utah, Oklahoma and a couple of other states regulate their natural gas. If Utah were not regulated, we also would be paying about $.50 a gallon less than gasoline, which has been where the petroleum companies and profiteers have pegged CNG's price in many other states. In the past 20 years a few petroleum companies, like Clean Energy, have gone around the country and bought up many of the natural gas suppliers and distributors, in effect, destroying any competition.

It explains the tendency to select the first option that satisfys some of the priority needs, or select the option that addresses most of the needs, rather than wait for the "optimal" solution that does everything.

Production, transportation, taxes and profit make up the main elements of petroleum's price to the consumer. Unlike petroleum, CNG requires relatively little development, production, refinement or transportation. In fact, natural gas is often discovered with petroleum and burned off (flared) as a nuisance. It's estimated that the world's NG that is flared off in one year is equivalent to the energy used in the USA in 4 months. Now, consider your ECON 101 class. Remember supply and demand effects? If we have a product with an over abundance (high), with a demand that at this point is almost nil (low), what would you expect the price to be?

CNG is safer than gasoline or diesel fuel according to the head University of Utah chemistry department. Natural gas and natural gas vehicles have a stellar safety record which is based upon two facts: a. The physical properties of natural gas make it safer than most other fuels. b. The fuel systems designed for natural gas vehicles are built to very stringent

Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas because it absorbs in the infrared range, and because of its atmospheric lifetime. Replacing one diesel-powered garbage truck with a natural gas-powered one is equal to taking 325 cars off the road in terms of pollution reduction.

Fuel System: Natural gas vehicles (NGV's) have all the same standard safety equipment as conventional cars (seat belts, air bags, etc.), yet they are subjected to the same crash safety tests as well. - 21396

About the Author:

Randy writes articles about hybrid cars and writes article for dual fuel autos