Dear Tom and Ray:

I took my 1991 Lincoln Continental in to one of those ten minute oil change places for an oil change. I ended up with oil leaking on my garage floor. When I took it back, they checked it and said it was old oil that had accumulated on the chassis. They also said there was no way the oil could be drained on the Lincoln without this happening. I am still getting an occasional drip or two on the floor five days after the oil change. Do you think they just made up that story? It's hard for me to believe. Dick

Ray: They didn't make up that story, Dick. WE made up that story. We've been using it for years!

Tom: Actually, it probably IS true. On a lot of cars, the oil filter is located right over a piece of the frame. When you unscrew it, oil pours out, and some of that oil gets trapped in the frame. Then, for the next couple of days, it sloshes around and drips out on your driveway.

Ray: But there IS a way to prevent it. What the mechanic can usually do is puncture the oil filter before unscrewing it. That way, he can punch a hole where he wants the oil to come out, and aim it right into the bucket--and away from the frame.

Tom: Tell those guys at the quickie oil change place to do this next time. Explain to them that you understand it will take a little longer, but that's OK. You'll wait...even if it takes them eleven minutes to do the oil change.

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1992 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the September 1992 index