About Oil Change Clean Up
Once you have finished changing your oil, the drain pan will be full of the used oil recently removed from your car. This old oil should not be just dumped out. Spilled oil is harmful on the animals and plants of the environment. Learn a safe and easy method for discarding your used oil.
Clean up the Work Space
In order to change your car's engine oil appropriately, you will need a few items. These items include a creeper, oil rags, oil pan, new engine oil, oil filter and a jack. These essential items will need attention after the job is complete. The oil filter must be set-aside with the used oil to be taken to an appropriate facility. The oil pan once emptied and oil rags must be rinsed over a disposable container to remove as much oil as possible; the pan needs to be washed with Dawn dish soap to break down any remaining oil. The oil rags need to be placed in a washer separately from other laundry to avoid ruining other clothing, and washed with degreasing detergent.
After the Oil Change
Gather a few empty oil containers and a funnel. Then put the funnel in the top on of one of your empty oil containers and slowly begin to pour the used oil into the containers. Be careful not to pour too quickly so that you do not spill the oil over the side of the funnel or overfill the container. Once you have filled the first container, shake off the funnel in the top of the container to knock the excess oil down into the container; then switch the full container to an empty one, and begin again.
Used Oil Collection Sites
According to recycleoil.org, used engine oil can be recycled into sources of fuel in furnaces of power plants, factories, typical homes and other businesses. Used oil if improperly discarded can seep into our water supply and contaminate it. Recycling the oil is the best method of discarding it. Next time you get your oil changed; ask the business doing it for you, if they recycle. If you do it yourself here are some locations that accept used oil for recycling. Wal-Mart Tire and Lube, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts and O’reilly Auto Parts are just a few accepting locations. If these locations are not near you, visit Earth911’s website to find one that is.