Changing your oil does not always have to mean crawling under the car. Image from Flickr.

Getting your oil changed, or changing your own oil, seems like a pretty basic process. Drain out the oil, replace the filter, put everything back together, and add new oil. In some mechanics’ garages and quick-lube shops, though, “suction” or “siphon” oil changing methods are gaining popularity. What are the basic differences between suction oil changes and plug oil changes?

The traditional oil change

Most oil changes, since the earliest vehicles, have relied on gravity to get the oil out of the engine. There is a drain plug at the bottom of the engine that can be removed. When that plug is removed, gravity drains the oil out of the engine. In most mechanic shops, the gravity method is still used to change the oil. In theory, the sludge and gunk that settles in the oil pan is more likely to get drained out with this system.

The siphon/suction oil change

Recently, new machines have been making an appearance; they use a siphoning or suctioning method to change the oil. Originally designed for boats, these machines attach to the dipstick tube and suck the oil out of the engine. As long as the oil filter is still changed every time, these machines supposedly work as well as gravity oil changes. There are some enthusiasts who claim that these siphoning oil changes actually get more oil and gunk out of the engine during every change. Others, though, worry that the suction method of changing the oil might miss some of the most important parts of an oil change.

Do suction oil changes work?

In the end, a suctioning oil change will probably work about as well as gravity oil changes. It is still important, though, that when you change the oil you remember to replace the filter and check the other fluids. If you go to a mechanic or quick lube place to get your oil changed, ask which type of oil change method they use. No matter what type of method is used, it is most important to just remember to change your oil.

The new laws in the European Union will give consumers more choice about which mechanic they see. Image from Flickr.

On June 1, car maintenance in the European Union will see significant changes. Carmakers and “authorized dealerships” will be required to both share technical data and to remove conditional warranty limitations. This change will end the exemption from antitrust rules that car makers have had.

New rules end car maker / authorized dealer monopoly

In the European Union, as in the United States, carmakers are allowed to ignore warranty obligations if a car has been serviced anywhere other than an “authorized dealership.” Authorized dealerships also usually get extra technical information from the car maker that independent shops do not get. In the European Union, this relationship has been judged as a violation of antitrust law. As of June 1, carmakers must share that technical information with all repair shops. By 2013, carmakers will have to honor warranties no matter where the car was serviced.

Car maintenance laws will save consumers money

When announcing the new EU car maintenance regulations, Jaoquin Almunia, head of European Union antitrust regulations, pointed out the consumer benefit of these changes. In general, car repair and maintenance costs are about 40 percent of ownership expenses. The general cost of new cars has been dropping, but maintenance costs have gone up. By breaking up this monopoly, competition will be increased. Independent dealerships will also be able to operate more equally with authorized dealerships.

Similar car maintenance laws in the United States?

The car sales and maintenance system in the United States is similar to the European Union. However, there are not currently any major pieces of legislation or litigation set to change that. The new EU law will affect many carmakers that operate in the United States, such as Daimler-Chrysler and Volkswagen. Will this new set of laws in the European Union lead to changes in the United States? It is possible, but it may not be probable.

Tesla Roadster image from Wikimedia.

Electric cars are great for the environment, there is no doubt about it. They create no pollution at all, unlike hybrids. They don’t require any fuel, but they do require recharging every few hundred miles.

Right now, the only U.S. car company that sells completely electric vehicles in serial production is Tesla Motors. Other companies have made and sold prototype vehicles or produced evaluation fleets, but the average U.S. citizen who wants to buy a completely electric vehicle will buy from Tesla Motors.

Initial cost of an electric vehicle

When I say “the average U.S. citizen,” I use the term lightly because a Tesla Roadster, the company’s least expensive vehicle, costs $109,000. Despite the fact that electric vehicles buyers qualify for federal and state tax waivers, it is safe to say that the majority of Americans still couldn’t realistically afford a car from Tesla Motors.

Nonetheless, environmental factors and conserving energy are extremely important to many car buyers. Furthermore, electric vehicle owners don’t have to buy gas, so when figuring out how much you a can afford in payments, electric vehicle buyers can deduct their monthly gas expenditures. For those who can obtain financing and are able to afford an electric vehicle, here are a few other factors to consider.

A long wait

Tesla Motors generally makes about 25 cars per week. The Tesla Roadster and Tesla Roadster Sport are currently available. Unlike dealerships where you walk into a show room and walk out with a car, you must order a vehicle from Tesla Motors in advance. You can do this online or at one of the four showrooms in the U.S.

If you are in the market for a car right now and expecting to have a new vehicle in the next few days or next couple of weeks, an electric vehicle won’t be ready in that time. You must order your car and then wait for it to be built. In the past people have waited up to 6 months.

Repairs and maintenance

The great news about Tesla Motors, which only has four physical dealerships in the country, is that the company recently announced it will do house calls on Tesla cars. Technicians will travel to the homes of Tesla owners to perform repairs and maintenance, much like the did when Tesla ordered a recall in the past.

However, the company charges for each mile the technician must travel, and the minimum charge per trip is $100. That is on top of service and parts. For people who are well off enough to afford Tesla Roadsters in the first place, this might not be a big deal.

Electric vehicle future

Tesla Motors is hoping in 2011 to be able to release the Model S, a sedan that will be much less expensive than the current models. The company says it hopes the price of the Model S will amount to between $35,000 and $50,000 after government rebates.

This price is a lot more realistic for most people. Also more electric car manufacturers will no doubt be joining the game in the future. If buying an electric vehicle someday is important to you, it might be best to start planning a purchase a few years from now. Just make sure you take into account waiting for your vehicle to be built and repairs and maintenance.
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