The more waste we generate, the more
we have to treat, store, and dispose of. So
recycling makes more sense today than
ever.
  Improper waste management costs
money—your money! You pay in higher
consumer prices, taxes for environmental
cleanups, and increased health care costs
when wastes are improperly managed.
  Recycling saves money and protects the
environment. So help be part of the
solution, not part of the problem. Recycle
used oil and other household materials,
such as newspaper, glass, metals, and
plastic.
  If your community has an oil recycling
program, join it. If it doesn't, start one.
Write for EPA's manual entitled "How to
Set Up a Local Program To Recycle Used
Oil" at the address below or call EPA's
RCRA/Superfund Hotline at
1-800-424-9346 (in Washington, DC,
382-3000).
Remember:

Environmental quality is everybody's
business, and everybody can do a lot to
help.

  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
          Office of Solid Waste
           401 M Street, SW
         Washington, DC 20460
xvEPA
United States         EPA/530-SW-89-039C
Environmental Protection  June 1989
Agency
Solid Waste And Emergency Response (OS-305)
Recycling
Used Oil

10 Steps to
Change  Your
Oil
                     Printed on Recycled Paper

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Why Recycling Your Oil Helps
The Environment And Saves
Energy

• One part of oil can contaminate a
million parts of water. Used oil from a
single oil change can ruin a million
gallons of fresh water—a year's supply for
50 people.

• It takes only one gallon of used oil to
yield the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil
provided by 42 gallons of crude oil.
• Americans who change their own oil
throw away 120 million gallons of
recoverable motor oil every year.
• If this oil were recycled, it would save
the United States 1.3 million barrels  of oil
per day.


Help Safeguard The
Environment

• Collect used oil from all vehicle
maintenance.
• Don't dispose or dump used oil in the
sewer or on the ground.

• Don't mix used oil with anything else.

For further information, call your local or
state government used oil recycling
program!
10 Steps For Changing Your Oil
Properly.

Change the oil after the motor has
warmed up. The oil will drain out more
quickly and completely if it's warm.

 1.  Turn off the engine, block the wheels
    and apply the parking brake before
    getting under the car. To avoid burns,
    make sure the engine is not too  hot.
    Consult your owner's manual for
    directions.
 2. Remove the drain plug on the bottom
    of the oil pan, allowing the old oil to
    drain into your drain pan.

 3. Use a filter wrench (if necessary) to
    loosen the old filter, then spin it off
    and drain as much oil as possible out
    of the filter into your drain pan.

 4. Coat the rubber seal on the new filter
    with oil, then spin it on. Do Not Use A
    Filter Wrench to tighten the new filter.
    Tighten it snugly with your fingers,
    following the directions supplied with
    the filter. Replace  the oil pan plug and
    make sure it's tight.

 5. Add the new oil. (Most cars take 4 or 5
    quarts, but check the owner's manual.)
    Do Not Overfill.

 6. Start the engine. The oil pressure
    warning light may be on, but should
    go out after a few seconds. Let the
    engine run a few minutes.

 7. Turn the  engine off and check the oil
    level. Also check around the filter  and
    drain plug for leaks.

 8. Write down the date and mileage as
    well as the type and brand of oil you
    installed on a doorjamb sticker or a
    record book.

 9. Pour the used oil into a clean, empty,
    plastic container with a tight lid. Do
    not mix it with other substances, such
    as gasoline, paint stripper, or
    pesticides.

10. Recycle the used oil by taking it to a
    service station or another facility that
    offers collection services. Call your
    state or local used oil program for
    locations of collection centers.

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