Hirst

Change your engine oil every 3000 miles for maximum engine life. Right? Well I'm here to set the record straight for you. Why every 3000 miles / 3 months? The average person will drive 3000 miles in less than 3 months so this brings you into the shop more often but in the industries defense there is somewhere a scientific study that says the engine oil "breaks" down to a point where it lessens its ability to properly protect your engine. Does it Really? In franchise shops as well as Dealerships, and independent shops the 3000 mile oil change being the least expensive service your car needs is being used against you! See the oil change yes is somewhat important but if you go 7500 or even 10,000 miles your car won't blow up! The oil change is used by the shop to get you in so they can do a courtesy inspection of fluids, belts, hoses, brakes, lights, to sell you something, it's all fine if you need it but what happens every time you go in another inspection and more money spent eventually you would think that everything would be fixed at this rate wouldn't you?

The shop bases about 40% of its business on what is found during an oil change inspection so the technician are told by their supervisors to "find" items needing attention on every vehicle that comes in. The oil change is actually more beneficial to the shop than to you or your car. Ok scientifically it is said that after 3000 miles oil has lost most of it's ability to protect your engine properly. I think that the public has been pushed so much into believing this that other vital items are not getting their proper attention one of them being the fuel filter! Why not "push" the fuel filter? The best reason I can figure is the average fuel filter installed can range from $49.99 to nearly $100.00 and people hate to spend money and with an oil change they can "say" that they did maintance to their car and only spent $18.99. The fuel filter is the last line of defence for the expensive fuel injectors and not changing the fuel filter regularly is the leading cause of early electric fuel pump failure!

So why help shops bottom line? Don't worry about 3000 miles. I have a vehicle that has 300,000 miles on it and the oil has been changed about maybe a dozen times since 40,000 when we got it and it still passes emissions tests every year and runs everyday. So go ahead change your oil but not every 3000 and keep track of what work you have done and don't be a victim of shops making money off something you think is a bargain. Think it over could a shop stay alive changing oil all day at $18.99 per car not sell you anything and pay $3000/mo rent, utilities, pay employees, buy supplies, phone ,advertising and more so they are "baiting" you with something cheap and making money off you if you let them sure if there is actually something wrong with your vehicle that needs to be fixed, fine but not every time you go in for your oil change service. So take care of your vehicle no problem but every 3000 miles too often don't worry 7500 miles won't hurt it.

Former Owner Ace Automotive Lakewood Wa.
ASE Certified Technician
ASE L-1 Advanced Auto Technician
Owner and author http://www.aceautomotive1.com

Air is a requirement for life, so you definitely want it if you're looking to stay alive, but is it possible to have someone in your life that you can love if they have the smoking habit? Should you just say "no" to a relationship or give it a try?

If you really like this person and believe you would like them in your life you definitely have to discuss up front the possibilities and the ground rules that are tolerable and workable for a relationship as they pertain to the smoking habit.

For example, if you are allergic to smoke, you don't want the smoke in your house. You can discuss with your potential partner your physical needs and see if this person is willing to structure boundaries for the habit. First, is this person willing to smoke outside the home 100 percent of the time, not just sometimes?

What will happen when the weather is ugly and it would be more convenient to light-up in the house?

You will know if that person will really consider you and do the right thing for your personal well-being if they're willing to smoke outside even if it's freezing cold.

Next, what will be the restrictions and problems if you take a drive in the car. Ask if you can agree that there will not be any smoking in your car because you will not be able to tolerate the cigarette smells if they stay in you car. They will stay in your car if you allow them. Cigarettes get in your house, your car, and for those of us sensitive to smoke and odors, it gets in your hair and you want to puke.

You can just smell it on your hair and it's awful.

What do you do when someone wants to kiss you and they smoke? They have to know that as much as you might find them attractive or sexy, you cannot handle the smell of the cigarettes on their breath. The cigarette smell is a real turn-off. Let your partner keep a small toothbrush and toothpaste available to keep the cigarette smoking from interfering with more part of your relationship.

Making each other special in a relationship is about both parties considering each other. This also means that the non-smoker should look for ways to consider the smoker when it comes to fresh breath, cleanliness, and other considerate acts.

As a relationship progresses and your love for this person grows you should explore the reasons why the person smokes and even work toward helping your partner reduce the number of cigarettes smoked or help with ideas on quitting.

In the last two weeks, my partner has been trying a medication called "Chantrix" to help him stop smoking. As the days progress, the medication lets his brain know that the cigarettes don't taste good and it's been helping him cut down and should help him quit. I'm extremely excited because I love him and want him to be around for a long time. He hasn't had any side effects and he's cut his smoking in half. I'll keep you posted.

Lori Wilk, MBA is the host of internet talk show "Successipes" at http://www.success-talk.com

The program offers recipes for success in business and living. Lori is a motivational speaker who makes daily presentations on the Las Vegas Strip. She's an author of self-help and business books, trainer, and business consultant.

Go to http://www.loriwilk.com