You should change your car’s motor engine oil and oil filter every 5,000km or every three months, whichever comes sooner, says the Automobile Association of Singapore. Getting a mechanic to do it would cost $60 to $200, depending on the type of oil, so learn to do it yourself instead with this simple guide.

WHAT YOU NEED

A new oil filter

New motor engine oil

WHAT TO DO

1. Locate the oil drain plug under your car. Place a container under the plug to collect the old engine oil. Turn the plug counter-clockwise with a wrench to remove it. Be ready to grab the plug as it comes loose.

2. Allow the oil to drain completely into the container. Check the sealing washer on the plug before re-installing it. If the washer is worn or broken, get a new one.

3. Remove the cap from the oil filler hole at the top of your engine. This is usually located around the oil pan of the engine. Unscrew the oil filter by turning it counter-clockwise with a large locking wrench. After removing the oil filter, empty the oil into the oil drain container. Always wear protective gloves and eye wear.

4. Open a new bottle of motor oil. With your fingers, apply a thin layer of oil on the new filter’s gasket. Install the new oil filter by turning it clockwise with your hands, until tight.

5. Add motor engine oil (above) to the oil fill port which is usually located on the valve corner of the engine. Most cars and light trucks will require 4 to 5 quarts of motor oil.

6. To check the engine oil level, replace the fill cap and let the engine run for one minute, then turn it off and let the car stand for two minutes. Remove the oil dipstick level indicator to inspect the oil level. Make sure the oil level is between the specified lines on the indicator or add as needed.

7. Used engine oil is classified as a toxic industrial waste under the Environmental Public Health Regulations and must be taken to licensed industrial waste collectors for proper recycling or disposal. Check the list of licensed Toxic Industrial Waste collectors on NEA’s website at http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1531 .

There is no need to splash out on pricey household cleaning products. White vinegar scrubs up just as well. Mrs Jean Ng, owner of domestic cleaning company A-team, shares dirty secrets.

WHAT YOU NEED

White vinegar

Toilet bowl scrubber

Water

Bucket

Mop

WHAT TO DO

To get rid of toilet bowl stains

1. Pour a cap of undiluted vinegar on the stains.

2. Scrub them.

3. Leave for five minutes so the solution can work on the dirt.

4. Flush, and the result is a clean toilet bowl.

To clean soap scum from bathroom floor tiles

1. Add 1 cup of undiluted vinegar to half a bucket of water. Mix well.

2. Test on a small area to see if there is a chemical reaction with the tiles. If so, stop at once.

3. Mop the floor with the solution. The vinegar in the mix eats away at scum and hard water stains on bath fixtures and tiles.

Air-conditioners need to be serviced every three to four months. Save money and prolong the periods between each servicing by cleaning the air-conditioners at home regularly. 

WHAT YOU NEED

Cloth

A vacuum cleaner

Detergent

WHAT TO DO

1. Always switch off the air-conditioning unit and disconnect the power plug (photo A) before beginning.

2. Gently wipe the exterior casing of the indoor unit with a soft, dry cloth (photo B). Do not use polishing powder, detergent or any cleaning products containing gasoline or benzine. These may damage the unit.

3. Open the unit by lifting the front panel upwards and take out the air filter.

4. Remove dirt from the filter by using a vacuum cleaner or by washing the filter in a lukewarm detergent solution.

5. Allow the filter to dry well in a shaded area before re-installing.

6. Holding only the frame, remove the deodorising filter (the grey sponge) from the unit. Avoid touching the surface of the filter.

7. Soak the filter with its frame in lukewarm water (not more than 50 deg C, photo D) or a detergent solution for about 15 minutes.

8. Do not use a chlorine detergent or scrub the surface of the filter.

9. Allow the filter to dry well in a shaded area before re-installing.

Exercept from Lifestyle Singapore 2 Jan 2009

Someone send me this. Just for fun:

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny.. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they Want.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
Nice to everyone they meet. Can’t make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible. - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES

-         A guy’s sense of self is primarily defined through his ability to achieve results. They are motivated and attracted by success.

-         When a guy feels he can fulfill a girl, he feels inevitably more attracted to her.

-         When a girl shares her problems, a guy thinks he is making her feel better by offering solutions to fix it.

-         Guys relieve stress by going into their “caves” to figure out problem ALONE. They do need girls to go into their “caves” to help them feel better.

-         Guys hear unsolicited advice as critical and unloving, or worse, it makes him feel like a kid.

-         Guys don’t need to hear “I told you so…” when they made a mistake.

-         Guys don’t read girl’s mind. They are also not experts in ‘decoding’ hints. Girls will have to communicate explicitly their needs or wants to him.

-         A guy always assumes that if a girl is not asking for more, then he must be giving enough.

-         Girls can score many ‘bonus points’ with guys by forgiving their mistakes and being nice about them; the bigger the mistakes, the more points they get.

-         The basic needs of guys are to be trusted, be accepted and to feel appreciated for what he has done. They are more motivated to give when this basic need is met.

Getting the Message to HIM …

1.      Timing is Everything

2.    Check Your Attitude

3.    Say it directly and briefly

4.    Practice the golden rule of silence

Getting the Message to HER …

1.      Let her finish her say

2.    Express your empathy

3.    Show your love

4.    Rise to the occasion

5.     To the Romans be like the Romans

Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a fullminute of happiness you’ll never get back.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should cheers.

1.   BE THE KIND OF DATE THAT YOU WANT TO DATE

2.   GET DATES AT THE RIGHT  PLACE

3.   BE APPROACHABLE

4.   LOOK FOR A FRIEND, NOT A MATE

5.   KNOW WHO PAYS FOR THE DATE

6.    BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR OPPINIONS

7.   UNDERSTAND DIFFERENCES EXIST

8.   BE THE RIGHT ONE

9.  MAKE   NEW  FRIENDS

1. Look for Common Interest
2. Pay Attention to Values
3. Don’t Try to Change the Other Person
4. Be True to Yourself
5. Expect Good Communications and Don’t Run from Conflict
6. Don’t Play Games, Pressure, or Manipulate Someone
7. Be True to for How You Want to Be Treated