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Proper Motor Oil Disposal Is Crucial to Maintaining a Clean Environment
(ARA) - An estimated 185 million gallons of used motor oil is improperly disposed of each year in the United States -- dumped on the ground, tossed in the trash or poured down storm sewers and drains. An old adage states clearly that oil and water don’t mix. When improperly disposed, the oil from a single oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that more than 80 percent of the used oil generated by the Do-It-Yourself activities ends up being disposed in an improper manner. Pennzoil is raising awareness of the need to recycle used oil through its Clean Change Campaign -- a nationwide campaign to encourage DIYers to properly "clean up" when changing their motor oil. Visit www.CleanChange.org to learn tips, facts, and make your pledge to keep the environment and our water supply clean.
It is important to dispose of the used oil properly. Here are some important oil changing tips that can help your engine and drinking water clean.
1) Turn off the engine, block the wheels and set the parking break before getting under your car. To avoid burns, make sure that the engine is not too hot. Consult your owner’s manual for directions.
2) Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the engine’s oil pan and allow the used oil to drain from your car into a suitable container such as a drip pan.
3) If you are changing your oil filter, do it next, following the directions on the filter. Afterwards, replace the drain plug in the bottom of the engine’s oil pan. Make sure that it’s tight.
4) Carefully add clean, quality engine oil, such as Pennzoil, to the vehicle. Although most cars take four to five quarts of oil, always check your owner’s manual for the amount of oil required and the recommended grade of motor oil to be used. Do not overfill.
5) With the parking brake still set and in a well-ventilated area, start the engine. The oil pressure light may be on, but it should go out after a few seconds. Once the light goes out, allow the engine to run for a few more minutes.
6) Turn off the engine and check the oil level. Also check around the oil filter and drain plug for oil leaks.
7) So you know when to change your oil next according to the manufacturer's recommendation in your owner's manual, write down the date and mileage as well as grade and brand of motor oil you installed.
8) Use a funnel or carefully pour the used oil from the drip pan into a suitable recycling container. Reuse the drip pan; don’t rinse the residual oil down the drain.
9) Protect the environment and conserve resources by taking your used oil and oil filter to your nearest used oil collection center. If your community doesn’t have a collection center, check with your local service station or an automobile maintenance facility such as a lube center, repair shop or car dealership. Also look for the nearest “oil drop.” This is a petroleum industry symbol indicating that used oil is collected for recycling/reuse.
SIDEBAR:
Used Motor Oil Facts
* One pint of used motor oil, improperly disposed, can create a one-acre slick on the surface of a body of water and kill floating aquatic organisms.
* One oil change, improperly disposed and not recycled, can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water; equivalent to a year’s supply of water for 50 people.
* Roughly 75 percent of used motor oil is used in industrial and utility boilers, steel mills and other facilities as well as a heat resource for making asphalt.
* It takes approximately two gallons of recycled oil to generate enough electricity to run an average household for a day, cook 36 meals in a microwave, blow-dry your hair 216 times, vacuum your house for 15 months or run your TV for 180 hours.
* According to a 2005 study, approximately 80 percent of the used oil generated by do-it-yourself activities ends up being disposed of in an improper manner.