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Meaning that your stock of used ones can build up very quickly indeed – unless you get an oil filter crusher.Unfortunately, because of the design of a modern auto oil filter, it is not possible to recycle them, and cleaning them is impractical thanks to the one way valves and complex filtration systems that they are designed with, however, none of this will prove to be a significant problem for you with an oil filter crusher.The average auto workshop will end up with hundreds of oil filters every year, and all of them are filled with sludge and used oil from engines. For this reason, they are viewed as contaminated waste by the EPA. This means that there are many tough regulations about their disposal. Finding a company that can repurpose used and contaminated oil filters can be a tough process, and once you have found one, the prices that you will have to pay per unit for disposal might have you scratching your head.Of course, the best answer to getting rid of old used oil filters is to decontaminate them yourself, and then send them off to a regular metal recycling station where you actually get paid for the scrap value of the metal, rather than having to pay a fee for every unit. This is where an oil filter crusher can save the day.Essentially, an oil filter crusher is a device that squeezes all of the engine sludge, grunge, and oil out of the old filter under high pressure, and flattens the old filter at the same time. This means that rather than having a stack of bulky oil filters sitting in the back of your workshop waiting to be disposed of, you end up with a neat pile of clean scrap metal, and an easy to manage container of used oil that can be disposed of cheaply and conveniently and comply with the EPA disposal guidelines.Modern oil filter crushers such as the John Dow DOWAFC100-94 connect quickly and simply to your existing air supply, and are designed specifically to be able to smash open oil filters and crush up to 95% of the sludge and used engine oil out of the unit. This waste oil is separated from the metal, and placed in a large capacity bucket, to await proper disposal. The John Dow DOWAFC100-94 oil filter crusher is an incredibly compact and easy to use machine. It is able to remove 75% of the volume of a used oil filter when it crushes it, features a simple to use “close and go” system to operate, and can stand in less than 4 square feet of space. Because it only needs to be connected to an air hose, you can place the oil filter crusher practically anywhere in your workshop, and only get it out when required.The price of oil filter crushers varies depending on the exact specification of the model that you choose. Prices start from around $1750 for a basic model like the John Dow above, which is ideal for a small workshop, and range up to nearly $7000 for a top of the line model which can take a wider variety of filters.Although these initial prices seem quite high for a single tool, when you consider the cost of the specialist treatment required by EPA law for disposing of contaminated waste, couples with the rebate you can get from a scrap metal dealer for selling the clean oil filters, the unit will pay for itself quite quickly.It is important to remember when purchasing an that different models are required for different types of oil filter. If you want a crusher that will be able to deal with everything right up to the large size filters that are used in trucks and recreational vehicles, it will be necessary to invest in a larger and more powerful machine such as the OTC 1896 oil filter crusher.This monster can reduce anything up to a full sized 15 inch truck oil filter to 20% of its original size while removing all but the last traces of oil from inside it. The OTC 1986 is designed to accommodate a standard 30 gallon oil drum in order to collect waste oil, making it the perfect tool for a larger garage.

Perhaps the tool that is most required by all workshops that are serious about carrying out repairs on a wide variety of vehicles is the standard transmission jack. These flexible and versatile lifting systems have many uses, and are essential for a wide range of different repair and servicing jobs.Unlike a conventional jack, which raises a vehicle using either the chassis, or the axles, a transmission jack is positioned centrally, and lifts the transmission. Generally, the procedure for removing a transmission or gear box from a vehicle begins with positioning the transmission jack under the box. It is then raised to take the weight of the transmission, so that it can be safely detached from the engine block. Once this has been achieved, the jack can be raised the rest of the way up in order to allow the complete removal of the transmission ready for servicing.There are numerous different styles and models of transmission jack available, and although their purpose is the same, the different versions are designed for different kinds of vehicle. Most cars and light weight utility trucks have fairly lightweight transmission systems attached to the engine block. These can generally be handled effectively by a transmission jack rated up to 1000lb capacity. A unit like the OTC 1728 jack is perfectly suited to such tasks. It is small enough to be easily moved around by a single mechanic, and yet hard wearing enough to be used every day without fear of failure. The unit comes with a lifetime guarantee, and thanks to its precision construction is a very reliable tool.As with all tools, the OTC 1728 Transmission jack is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and features many enhancements to a basic design to make it easy to use. A gas lift piston to raise the transmission block when the jack is in use is combined with a manual release for easy detachment when the job is complete, and in use, the OTC 1728 is intended to be as simple as possible.For larger jobs, a heavy duty transmission jack is required. If your workshop deals with a lot of trucks and larger vehicles, then you will require a much more powerful jack in order to support the heavier weight of the transmission and gearbox in a bigger vehicle.In general, transmission jacks for larger vehicles such as trucks are rated to carry up to 2200lb in weight, and do so effortlessly. Heavy duty transmission jacks like the OTC 5019 are intended to be completely stable under even the largest weights, and are easy to manipulate when in use to ensure that transmission removal is as simple as possible, even with a particularly heavy unit to deal with.Aside from the weight capacity of a transmission jack, the other major consideration is whether you require a high or low profile device. If your workshop is large enough to have hydraulic vehicle lifting platforms, then a high profile jack will be easier for you to use, while in a more restrictive environment, you are better off with a low profile model that can be slipped into place for ease of use.The actual cost of a transmission jack will vary depending on the level of quality, weight that it can carry, and the manufacturer, and since there are so many different options on the market, finding the one that you want can be bewildering to say the least.Prices start from around $825 for a low profile trolley style transmission jack rated up to half a ton, but you can easily pay in excess of $1800 for a full ton high profile device designed for trucks and heavier jobs. What is important is buying a tool that will last well, perform reliably, and last for as long as you need it.

In today’s environmentally conscious society, recycling and the conservation of resources is foremost on most people’s minds. Antifreeze is one of those chemicals that all modern automobiles need to run efficiently and well. With all the focus on gasoline and motor oil, the ethylene glycol in automotive antifreezes is easy to overlook. However, your car’s radiator should be flushed and new antifreeze put in at least every 30,000 miles. This makes for a lot of antifreeze that needs to be disposed of properly. There is another solution, instead of replacing your current antifreeze with a new coolant, your old antifreeze can be recycled and used again and again. Nearly all antifreeze is a combination of ethylene glycol and an additive package. Ethylene glycol will not wear out but the additives will become old and useless. This is why antifreeze needs to be replaced. The ethylene glycol, which is the petroleum based component of antifreeze, is still good and useable. It’s the additives and the gunk that collects in the your car’s coolant that render it unusable.Antifreeze is one of those chemicals that all modern automobiles need to run efficiently and well. With all the focus on gasoline and motor oil, the ethylene glycol in automotive antifreezes is easy to overlook. However, your car’s radiator should be flushed and new antifreeze put in at least every 30,000 miles. This makes for a lot of antifreeze that needs to be disposed of properly. There is another solution, instead of replacing your current antifreeze with a new coolant, your old antifreeze can be recycled and used again and again. Nearly all antifreeze is a combination of ethylene glycol and an additive package. Ethylene glycol will not wear out but the additives will become old and useless. This is why antifreeze needs to be replaced. The ethylene glycol, which is the petroleum based component of antifreeze, is still good and useable. It’s the additives and the gunk that collects in the your car’s coolant that render it unusable.How the process works.Antifreeze recycling equipment will remove the old additives and place new additives into ethylene glycol. The process begins by using a chemical process to separate the old additives from the coolant. (For example, the Viper series produced by Clore Automotive uses the patented Techguard chemicals in this process. )After the chemicals are added to separate the additives from the coolant, the coolant is cycled through the filters to remove any additives, oils and suspended debris that has collected in the antifreeze. There are basically two chemicals that need to be added to the old coolant. The first chemical additive separates the additives from the ethylene glycol and the second chemical additive The second chemical is a coagulant. This will bond the separated additives into particles that can then be captured by the filtration system.Filtration and removal of the old additives.Once the antifreeze recycling equipment chemical process has been completed, the coolant will need to run through a filtration system to remove the particles of additives that the coagulant has just created. The Viper 3400 Antifreeze Recycling Equipment by Clore Automotive used three filters to process the treated coolant. The first two filters are a 50 micron and 1 micron rated filter. For example, 1 micron is 1/90th the diameter of a human hair. So not much is getting past a 50 micron rated filter. The third filter in the chain is a carbon filter. The carbon filter will remove any remaining garbage left in the coolant and will even remove the original green dye from it as well.Creating new antifreeze from the oldOnce the ethylene glycol has successfully been separated from the old additives and all the junk has been filtered out, it is time to add in the new additives. This process is not rocket science and it shouldn’t scare you off. Just carefully follow the mixing instructions and use the correct chemicals for the antifreeze recycling equipment you are using. Once the new additives are properly mixed in, you will new looking antifreeze complete with green dye. Once the process is completed, the recycled coolant is good for 2 years or 30,000 miles.Tips for successful antifreeze recycling.Using antifreeze recycling equipment can be a time consuming process. I would recommend completing the recycling process with the unit away from the vehicle. There is no need to tie up a revenue producing bay with an antifreeze recycling machine connected to a car. Also, remember to follow the manufacturers instruction to the letter to insure the recycled coolant is done correctly. Finally, to extend the life of your filters, carefully monitor the pressure gauge and adjust the machine accordingly.

Many of us have had the experience of our car breaking down when we’ve been on our way to work or another destination. It is a dreaded thing and is very frightening if you’re in the car alone when it occurs. For those who have never had this experience, there is a good chance that it may happen and if it does, there are things that need to be kept in mind when dealing with a breakdown…particularly on the highway.
Is the car doing anything at all?Sometimes a car can have a hiccup and simply stop running for a few minutes. Once you pull the car over to the shoulder, sit there for a couple of minutes before doing anything else. Don’t panic because it may not be much of anything. Sometimes it may be a minor system issue and the car simply needs to ‘reset’ itself. Many of us have experienced those times in which the car died for no reason and then started right back up.However, if you press the on button to your radio and nothing happens, chances are you have a dead car battery. Try to turn the ignition to see if the car turns over at all. If the engine cranks in addition to a clicking sound, then there are a few things that need checked in regards to the battery:• Pop the hood• Check the battery for corrosion at the connection points and make sure the connection is tight. If there is corrosion, clean it and tightly replace the cable connector. If the car still will not start, then the battery is dead.If you do not have a wireless phone to call someone or call roadside assistance, try to remember if you saw any gas stations close by or any businesses. If there are no places close by for you to use a phone or find someone to jump start your car, place a white piece of paper or white cloth in your window to signify that you are in need of help. The police tend to patrol the highways quite often. If you are in a rural area, then you may need to request assistance from a resident nearby.Sometimes a good Samaritan will offer you assistance. However, it is important to not let them in your car while you’re in it and to not get into their vehicle with them. If they want to take you somewhere, tell them you’d like to stay with your car, but if they would be willing to contact roadside assistance for you, that would be great.Other issues that can cause your car to break down are mechanical failure, which you can’t do anything about, and an empty gas tank. It is surprising how many cars are sitting along the side of the road because they ran out of gas and luckily, an empty gas tank can be diagnosed via the gas gauge. It is important to keep a gas can in the trunk of the car in case you run out of gas and need to walk to a gas station. Also, if someone offers you assistance, do not get into a vehicle with them to go to the gas station. Tell them you would like to stay with your vehicle and request that they call roadside assistance for you. You do not necessarily want to give them your gas can and money for gas because you may never see the gasoline. Just keep these things in mind to diagnose small issues with your vehicle and to keep yourself safe when dealing with a car breakdown.

We all have problems making ends meet from time to time, but if it’s a constant worry it could be time to take a long hard look at your money situation.The biggest area for making changes is often in the everyday expenses incurred by getting to and from your place of work. Sometimes the best way to get to your job is by driving there, but this does of course cause plenty of wear and tear on your vehicle.Over time this will cause problems as parts wear out and need to be replaced, but even if the time for getting a new car is getting closer you might be tempted to keep repairing your current model when you start thinking about the cost of replacing it. You should always consider all your options however. When you add up the cost of repairs over time, you may well find you’d actually save money by getting a new car.First of all, sit down and look at where your money goes each month to see where you could make savings. By cutting down in certain areas you will often find you have enough cash left over to get a car finance deal on another car. You wouldn’t be paying out for frequent repairs any more, and depending on the make and model you buy, you might find your car insurance may well be cheaper too, which will save you even more money.As with any finance deal it’s important to think of the long term effects and benefits of taking one on. It will enable you to get a much better and more reliable car, which can have a real impact on many other areas of your life. If you’ve been constantly late for work because your current car keeps breaking down, your bosses certainly won’t be that pleased. With a new car that you can rely on you’ll be back in their good books again in no time.As you might imagine, constant car repairs can cost you much more than just money - they can cost you your peace of mind as well. That’s why it’s better to sit down and work out what kind of car you’d like next before you go out and buy one - especially if money is a big factor.If you use your car every day look for makes and models which have good fuel consumption. Try and find out which ones run better over time as well; this will help you to avoid having to put it in the garage for repairs in the future quite as often as your current one.In the end, so long as you plan your finances properly and choose the best car for your needs, upgrading to a new model offers far more benefits than trying to keep your old one on the road.

At almost every service that you carry out on a vehicle, it is necessary to remove and replace the oil filter; meaning that your stock of used ones can build up very quickly indeed - unless you get an oil filter crusher.Unfortunately, because of the design of a modern auto oil filter, it is not possible to recycle them, and cleaning them is impractical thanks to the one way valves and complex filtration systems that they are designed with, however, none of this will prove to be a significant problem for you with an oil filter crusher.The average auto workshop will end up with hundreds of oil filters every year, and all of them are filled with sludge and used oil from engines. For this reason, they are viewed as contaminated waste by the EPA. This means that there are many tough regulations about their disposal. Finding a company that can repurpose used and contaminated oil filters can be a tough process, and once you have found one, the prices that you will have to pay per unit for disposal might have you scratching your head.Of course, the best answer to getting rid of old used oil filters is to decontaminate them yourself, and then send them off to a regular metal recycling station where you actually get paid for the scrap value of the metal, rather than having to pay a fee for every unit. This is where an oil filter crusher can save the day.Essentially, an oil filter crusher is a device that squeezes all of the engine sludge, grunge, and oil out of the old filter under high pressure, and flattens the old filter at the same time. This means that rather than having a stack of bulky oil filters sitting in the back of your workshop waiting to be disposed of, you end up with a neat pile of clean scrap metal, and an easy to manage container of used oil that can be disposed of cheaply and conveniently and comply with the EPA disposal guidelines.Modern oil filter crushers such as the John Dow DOWAFC100-94 connect quickly and simply to your existing air supply, and are designed specifically to be able to smash open oil filters and crush up to 95% of the sludge and used engine oil out of the unit. This waste oil is separated from the metal, and placed in a large capacity bucket, to await proper disposal. The John Dow DOWAFC100-94 oil filter crusher is an incredibly compact and easy to use machine. It is able to remove 75% of the volume of a used oil filter when it crushes it, features a simple to use “close and go” system to operate, and can stand in less than 4 square feet of space. Because it only needs to be connected to an air hose, you can place the oil filter crusher practically anywhere in your workshop, and only get it out when required.The price of oil filter crushers varies depending on the exact specification of the model that you choose. Prices start from around $1750 for a basic model like the John Dow above, which is ideal for a small workshop, and range up to nearly $7000 for a top of the line model which can take a wider variety of filters.Although these initial prices seem quite high for a single tool, when you consider the cost of the specialist treatment required by EPA law for disposing of contaminated waste, couples with the rebate you can get from a scrap metal dealer for selling the clean oil filters, the unit will pay for itself quite quickly.It is important to remember when purchasing and that different models are required for different types of oil filter. If you want a crusher that will be able to deal with everything right up to the large size filters that are used in trucks and recreational vehicles, it will be necessary to invest in a larger and more powerful machine such as the OTC 1896 oil filter crusher.This monster can reduce anything up to a full sized 15 inch truck oil filter to 20% of its original size while removing all but the last traces of oil from inside it. The OTC 1986 is designed to accommodate a standard 30 gallon oil drum in order to collect waste oil, making it the perfect tool for a larger garage.

Let’s face it, taking your car in for repair is not one of our favorite things to do. Usually there are large sums of money to be spent and often there is doubt in our minds as to the honesty of the mechanic doing the repair work. As a retired workshop owner/operator I can sympathize with people that have been taken for a ride by unscrupulous operators but I am here to tell you that there is something that we can do to minimize our chances of falling victim to these money hungry people.The first and most important tip I can give you is to seek recommendations from people that you know before taking your car in for repair. Word of mouth is a very powerful advertising medium and it works both ways, most people will take pleasure in telling you who to avoid if they have had a bad experience with someone in particular. Ask around your workplace, talk to family members, even your neighbors may be able to shed some light on who will look after your car well and not charge an arm and a leg for it.Be wary of auto repair workshops that advertise cheap oil changes with a safety check of your vehicle thrown in for free. Sure there is honest mechanics out there that are genuinely concerned for your safety and don’t want to see you driving an unsafe car but there is also some out there that use this tactic to first get you to bring your car to them and then do their best to find thousands of dollars worth of work that just has to be done before you drive the car from the shop. Think about it, in business do you think you would be wise offering something for free if there wasn’t anything in it for you? Even if it is a vehicle safety check that takes half an hour at the most to complete.The third tip I can give you is to be aware of what parts are being used on your vehicle and the markup that comes with those parts. Many workshops will insist on using genuine parts only, that is parts from the manufacturer of your particular vehicle. Unless your car is still under the factory warrantee there is no real reason not to use aftermarket parts when they are available. The aftermarket part is usually a lot cheaper and more often than not the warrantee on these parts equals or exceeds the genuine part warrantee anyway.Spare part markup is another area where we can stand to save ourselves some money. When a mechanic buys a part there is a recommended retail price that goes with that part. However that is only a recommended price and if the dishonest mechanic can get away with charging more you can bet your life they will. Before agreeing to having the repair carried out ask your mechanic what markup they charge on their parts and if they are honest they will have no trouble answering your question.So there you have just a few ways that we can help protect ourselves from car repair scams. I wish I could say that all workshop owners are honest but I can tell you hardly a day went by that we weren’t listening to customers complaining about the price and the service they received from certain mechanics. It is a shame that these people don’t realize that they are shooting themselves in the foot when ripping people off as the word soon gets around and as I said word of mouth is a very powerful advertising tool, both in a positive way and a negative way.

A vintage car can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. A non-enthusiast might consider a classic automobile to be little more than an old, outdated model that needs to be replaced with a more practical machine. A collector would see the value in the machine and keep it for that reason. A more sentimental person might find the vintage car as something that invokes memories of his youth, or a specific moment in his past he wants to be reminded of. However, sadly, most vehicles from the vintage era are likely in need of some level of restoration and as such, there are several things that have to be kept in mind whenever one decides to undertake a restoration.First off would be where to get the parts for the restoration. A vintage car, no matter how well-maintained, is likely going to need one or more of its parts replaced. Up until recently, it was difficult locating components for a classic automobile since the manufacturers discontinued service for the older models; this stopped production on replacement parts. However, several companies have come into play since that time to produce the replacement parts that vintage auto restorers need. While the numbers for classic car parts companies is small in comparison to their counterparts aimed at modern vehicles, the classic car parts companies have become invaluable to collectors and enthusiasts alike. If the owner can’t find the parts he needs from the companies, another avenue for getting them would be auctions and car shows, both of which have some people selling rare reproduction parts that may not be available anywhere else.Most of the time, a vintage car will be sold stock, which means the vehicle is sold as it was built by the manufacturer. However, when restoring a classic automobile, the owner has the option of making a few modifications. Typically, upgrades are made to the overall performance factors of the machine, such as braking and fuel transmission. It is also not unheard of for some enthusiasts to modify or upgrade a vintage auto for drag racing purposes, as popularized by films like “The Fast and The Furious.” Other enthusiasts prefer more mundane upgrades, like better sound systems or more comfortable seats. Drastic changes, such as adding completely new components like hydraulics, are generally not done to classic automobiles, though a few exceedingly modified vehicles do exist.For the inexperienced, restoring a vintage car can be a daunting task because of the danger of permanently damaging the auto. As such, there are a number of companies out there that have gained expertise in restoring a classic automobile to as close to factory fresh as possible. While the price of hiring a restoration company can seem expensive at first, it is worth noting that an inexperienced enthusiast can easily make a mistake that could prove more expensive than paying for a professional restoration. However, if the owner feels up to the task, then performing the restoration on one’s own is an option.The price of a restoration can vary depending on a few factors. The main factor would be the make and model of the vintage car to be restored. Some models have parts that are rarer and more expensive than other models. The second factor would be the purpose of the restoration. The cost can go up or down depending on what exactly the owner wants restored and whether or not anything is to be upgraded. The final factor in a vintage car restoration would be the one doing the restoration. An experienced enthusiast who has already done a few restorations will likely find it cheaper to do the restoration on his own rather than hire someone else. However, someone who doesn’t have much mechanical knowledge would be better off hiring a third party to do the restoration, rather than risk damaging the vehicle.

How Often Should Oil Be Changed?Many manufacturers have been extending the number of miles between oil changes and using this as a selling point to unsuspecting buyers. Mobil

Introduction:There are two different ways that you can use to approach changing the tires on your car. One way is to take your car to a professional automotive repair shop and spend a great amount of money for their services. Another way is to learn how to do it yourself by following these quick easy to do steps that I am about to show you right now.Steps:Step one — All vehicles today should be well equipped with a personal car jack and a personal tire iron hidden some where in the car. Reading your car manual usually located in the glove box should show you where to locate these items.Step two — After you have found your personal car jack and tire iron you are now ready to do this next step. There is usually a specific spot under your car where your personal car jack is suppose to go. You should make sure that you find the spot where your flat tire is located.Step three — Always loosen the lug nuts on the tire you are about to change first before you start jacking up your car. You would turn your tire iron counter clockwise just enough to loosen the lug nuts so that the lug nuts would come off easier when you jack the car up.Step four — You can now start jacking your car up just enough to where the tire is about one inch off of the ground.Step five — Start taking off every lug nut that you started to loosen earlier. You can also remove the flat tire from the car and put on your spare tire all with in this same step.Step six — Put all your lug nuts back on and turn your tire iron clock wise just enough to make sure your tire is on tightly. Start jacking your car back down until all of the weight of car is on the tire and not your jack.Step seven — Grab your personal tire iron again and with all your might start to fully tighten each one of the lug nuts on your tire.