It’s a tall order to choose the best rapper of all time. There are so many beloved artists to choose from. But one late artist was the choice of more than 259,000 people.
The wildly popular poll was posted by Ranker. The site ranked the top 250th rappers of all time. And one musician was ranked at the top. The number one slot was held by the Notorious B.I.G. According to Ranker, he was known for his “powerful storytelling and unparalleled flow,” and “changed the landscape of East Coast hip-hop in the ’90s.”
Who Were the Top 5 Top Ranked Rappers of All Time?
Who came next? The Notorious B.I.G.’s West Coast rival, Tupac Shakur. Both men, of course, met early deaths after being shot. The site noted Tupac’s “profound lyrics.”
Kendrick Lamar clocked in at number three on the list. Eminem was fourth. The fifth-place rapper was Nas.
You can read the full list on Ranker. Other lists have placed Notorious B.I.G. lower. For example, a list of the best rappers by Billboard has Jay-Z in the top spot, and Notorious B.I.G. is sixth. “Building a reputation for delivering gritty tales in a laid-back style, accented by deep-toned, rumbling vocals and a signature dark sense of humor, Biggie went on to score 16 Hot 100 hits,” that site wrote.
A list on IMDb has Shakur in the top spot. Notorious B.I.G. places second on that list. “A contender for best rapper of all time and a gifted East Coast storyteller whose gritty, objective realism won him enormous respect and credibility,” All Music wrote of him.
Biggie Smalls AKA Notorious B.I.G. Was Only 24 Years Old When He Died
Rappers Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls (Christoper Wallace) and Puff Daddy (sean Combes) perform onstage at the Palladium.
(Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
It’s fairly astonishing to realize that Notorious B.I.G. was only 24 when he died, given his influential impact on the genre.
Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls and the Notorious B.I.G., “lived a short life. He was 24 years old when he was gunned down in 1997 in Los Angeles, a murder that has never been solved,” according to Biography.com.
“Smalls was from New York and had almost single-handedly reinvented East Coast hip hop — overtaken in the early 1990s by the West Coast ‘g-funk’ sound of Dr. Dre and Death Row Records,” that site reports. His death may be caught up in that rivalry.
“With his clear, powerful baritone, effortless flow on the mic and willingness to address the vulnerability, as well as the harshness, of the hustler lifestyle, Smalls swung the spotlight back towards New York and his label home, Bad Boy Records,” Biography.com reported.
“In just a few short years, the Notorious B.I.G. went from a Brooklyn street hustler to the savior of East Coast hip-hop to a tragic victim of the culture of violence he depicted so realistically on his records,” noted All Music. After his death, he “became a symbol of the senseless violence that plagued inner-city America in the waning years of the 20th century,” All Music wrote, noting that Notorious B.I.G.’s life and death were both a product of his time.
Costco’s beloved hot dog combo has stayed the same for 40 years. Fans can get a hot dog with soda for $1.50. It’s a Costco deal staple.
And now there’s something new. “The Costco food court formerly only allowed people to pair their hot dog with a 20-oz. soda,” wrote People. Customers can now get the combo with a bottle of water instead, and People noted that this is the first change to the popular combo in four decades. Added People, “The hot dog combo has a devoted fan base, and the brand has promised in turn not to raise its price.”
Fans Had Mixed Reactions to the Costco Hot Dog Combo Change
A fan shared a screenshot on Instagram revealing the change. “I love that Costco is now also offering the hot dog combo with water!” the fan wrote.
Customer response on the fan’s Instagram thread was swift. Not everyone was thrilled. “There’s a water button on the fountain drinks. So hmmmm. Stupid move,” wrote one person.
Some fans quibbled over the $1.50 price, with one writing, “This doesn’t make sense. I noticed they removed the bottled water vending machine that was 25¢ so shouldn’t it be $1.25? Just sayin’.” Wrote another, “It’s bizarre they took the machines w/bottled water away…I always got a bottle or 2 on my way out…no forewarning or sign…BIZARRE!!”
There’s even a Reddit thread devoted to the change. “They’ve had this option in Canada for a while. I don’t drink pop, so I was stoked for the new option as I used to just get the hot dog with no drink before haha,” a fan noted on that thread.
According to Fox Business, the typical combo consists of a “$1.50 quarter-pound all-beef hot dog and 20-ounce soda.” The change allows customers to instead get a “16.9-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature water,” Fox Business reported.
Fox noted that people can still get the original combo with the soda instead, which also comes with free refills. So, the combo isn’t really changing unless people desire the healthier option.
The Costco Hotdog Combo Change Has Also Made the Rounds on TikTok
Customers wait in line to order below signage for the Costco Kirkland Signature $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, which has maintained the same price since 1985 despite consumer price increases and inflation, at the food court outside a Costco Wholesale Corp. warehouse store in Inglewood, California.
(Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
One fan shared a TikTok showing the new water and hot dog combo.
“Let’s go to Costco and pick up the hot dogs. They now offer water choices with a hotd og. They used to only give me the soda cups without the soda because I couldn’t carry 200 cups of soda. Now I can get the water,” that customer wrote, going up to the counter at a Costco, while pushing a shopping cart.
That video generated almost 500,000 likes. It was posted in November 2025, showing that the change has actually been available to customers for some time. It’s just that the change is suddenly creating a social media buzz, meaning that more people are finding out about it. The change was made without fanfare.
Some people liked the change. “So happy to see water bottles available for the hotdog combos you get now!! That seems a lot more helpful than the empty cups,” a woman wrote on the TikTok video.
Fans of The Crown on Netflix have watched as the series moved through history. First, viewers were treated to a young Princess Elizabeth as she inherits the throne following her father’s death.
Then, the now-Queen deals with family dramas and the introduction of Princess Diana to the Royal Family. The Crown subsequently dealt with Diana’s tragic death. Many fans expected that the show would logically move on to current angles, such as the Queen’s death, and the conflicts with Prince Harry and his wife, the former Meghan Markle.
Instead, it appears that Netflix will be moving back in time, as the streaming giant is on board with a prequel.
The Crown Will Reportedly Feature Queen Victoria’s Death
Queen Victoria of England, 1842. Musee National du Chateau, Versailles, France.
(Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) [Koenigin Victoria von England 1842. Musee National du Chateau, Versailles, France.]
Daily Mail broke the story that the production company for The Crown “has got the green light to create the new project which will span the period from Queen Victoria‘s death in 1901 to the wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947.”
A source told Daily Mail, “Netflix has been locked in negotiations with the company for quite a long time about this spin-off series, but they’ve recently finally managed to seal the deal and come to an agreement.”
Netflix has not formally confirmed this information, though. According to Town and Country, the time frame means the show would dial back to cover the reigns of four kings: Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, and George VI, which occurred between the rules of both Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. The latter ruled for 70 years.
The time frame also means that Edward’s abdication due to the Wallis Simpson romance would be covered. The aftermath of the abdication, including Queen Elizabeth II’s coolness toward her uncle, was featured in previous seasons of The Crown, but the series started after Edward had already abdicated the throne, changing forever the trajectory of the young Princess Elizabeth, whose adored father would die relatively young.
Queen Victoria’s Death Caught People by Surprise
Since The Crown closely tracks real-life events, what happened in real life when Queen Victoria died?
Victoria’s death was monumentally important. “When Queen Victoria died at the age of 81 on 22 January 1901, it took her family, court and subjects by surprise – very few had been able to contemplate the mortality of the monarch who had ruled over Britain and its empire for almost 64 years,” History Extra wrote. “Her death marked the end of the Victorian era.”
The queen suffered a number of stressors and tragedies in the lead up to her death. According to History Extra, her son died of throat cancer, her daughter was struggling with cancer, The Boer war was raging, her other son was shot, and her grandson died of a fever.
Victoria was fading dramatically before she died. “She was confined to a wheelchair, almost blind and had lapses of memory and moments of confusion,” History Extra reported. Chaos erupted after Victoria’s death, giving Netflix a lot to work with.
According to Daily Mail, casting for the prequel has not yet been determined.
Taylor Swift posted a mysterious countdown on her website on April 30, for just a few minutes, and it has fans flipping out because no one is quite sure what it means. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that the countdown contained a Toy Story 5 theme.
That set off a round of speculation that Swift is involved in the popular franchise’s latest movie.
According to USA Today, the countdown clock was only live on Swift’s website for “roughly 10 minutes before being taken down,” and it “counted down to 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET on May 2.” There was a big clue.
“The background featured unmistakable Toy Story-inspired blue and white clouded imagery, prompting immediate speculation about a potential crossover or soundtrack announcement,” USA Today reported. It’s not clear why the countdown was deleted, or why May 2 would be significant, considering Toy Story 5 won’t be in theaters for another month.
Taylor Swift Fans Flooded the Internet With Theories About the Countdown
Taylor Swift accepts the Pop Album of the Year.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Fans flooded social media with theories about Swift’s countdown.
Swift doing a possible Toy Story 5 collab was a popular one. “People immediately realized it was Toy Story 5,” a fan wrote.
Fans noticed that the backdrop of the countdown resembled the wallpaper in Toy Story. “Taylor Swift dropping a banger for Toy Story 5. That’s Andys room wallpaper,” wrote a fan.
“It’s either merch or a Toy Story collab for the new movie,” another wrote. Other fans noted that the countdown quickly vanished.
According to Page Six, some fans also felt that Swift was pointing to a Toy Story collaboration by wearing a blue-and-white dress on an outing with her father.
“Omggg we’re getting a Taysong in the next Toy Story!!!!!!!¡¡¡¡¡¡” wrote a fan.
Sure enough, the clouds against a blue sky in the countdown do resemble the backdrop for Toy Story 5, as evidenced by the images posted on the Pixar website.
“The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5,’ and this time it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today….electronics!” the website adds.
“Directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris and produced by Lindsey Collins, ‘Toy Story 5’ opens only in theaters on June 19, 2026,” it says.
Some fans are speculating that Swift might be voicing a character.
The Pixar website contains both an official trailer and a teaser trailer for the movie. USA Today noted that Swift has done movie collabs before.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico and Colorado through Friday night, with total potential snow accumulations combined among the areas reaching up to 22 inches. At the same time, frigid air behind this system is sweeping across the country, threatening crops and sensitive vegetation with sub-freezing temperatures in over a dozen states.
Southern Rockies Expecting Heavy Snow
Winter storm warnings are in effect across the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains through midnight Friday.
In New Mexico, additional snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches are forecast above 9,500 feet. The heaviest snow is expected through Friday morning, with snow levels dropping to 7,500 feet. In Colorado, additional accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected across the mountains and the Rampart Range, including Pikes Peak and Woodland Park. When combined with previous totals, the highest peaks face a total potential of nearly two feet of accumulation.
“Travel could be very difficult. Tire traction will be reduced,” the NWS said. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
Freeze Warnings Sweep Across Multiple States
The impact of this cold front extends far beyond the mountain peaks. Freeze warnings have been issued from the Intermountain West to the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic as temperatures plunge well below normal for early May.
In Utah and Idaho, temperatures are expected to drop as low as 28 degrees, threatening early-season blooms. Further east, Wisconsin and Michigan are bracing for a hard freeze, with interior areas of Michigan potentially seeing lows reach 22 degrees by Saturday morning.
The NWS warns that these frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents in affected regions are urged to take steps now to protect tender plants and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
It’s a rarity when a single musician can claim the two greatest moments in their field’s history, but John Bonham was never an ordinary percussionist. In an industry where the opening riff usually belongs to the guitarist, Bonham managed to command the listener’s attention before a single string was even plucked.
The most recognizable drum intros are frequently debated, with legendary tracks from bands like ELO and Van Halen often making the cut. However, when it comes to the absolute pinnacle of percussion, “Bonzo” doesn’t just hold the top spot, he holds it twice.
The Led Zeppelin drummer is consistently ranked as the greatest of all time because he blended instinctive creativity with a ferocious power that changed the course of rock history. Nowhere is this more evident than in the tie for the number one ranking: the opening bars of “When The Levee Breaks” and “Rock and Roll”.
Led Zeppelin’s ‘When The Levee Breaks’
Led Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks” lands at the top for its booming, echoey, and thunderous drum sound. The track has become a subject of scholarly research as fans and engineers attempt to decode how Bonham achieved that specific resonance.
The song was famously recorded in the cavernous entryway of Headley Grange, a former workhouse in England. By placing the drum kit at the bottom of a three-story stone stairwell and suspending microphones multiple flights above, Jimmy Page and his team captured a natural reverberation that became legendary.
Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’
Despite how it sounds to the casual listener, “Rock and Roll” actually begins on beat three rather than beat one, a technicality that makes it one of the most processed opening parts in rock.
The inspiration for the pattern was actually a tribute to the early days of rock music. Bonham lifted the pattern directly from the 1957 Little Richard classic ‘Keep A-Knockin’. The intro was born during a lull in the Led Zeppelin IV recording sessions as Bonham was messing around with the rhythm. Using a “filthy loose” hi-hat and tautly accented snare, Bonham manufactured a sense of combustible anticipation.
The fact that these two tracks come from the same album, Led Zeppelin IV, highlights just how dominant Bonham was during the band’s peak.
“Picking Zeppelin’s one-of-a-kind drummer was the easy part,” the ranking noted. Bonham doesn’t just hold the top two spots; he has five entries in the top 40 best drum intros. Whether it is the cavernous echo of a haunted workhouse or the high-speed shuffle of a 1950s tribute, John Bonham remains the gold standard for how to start a rock song.
The greatest opening guitar riff in rock history didn’t come from a rehearsal room, a studio session or years of refinement. It came from a dream.
According to Somuchgreatmusic.com, the “greatest opening guitar riff ever” belongs to the Rolling Stones’ 1965 classic “Satisfaction”, and as the site puts it, “like there’s really a more perfect and engraved-in-memory opening in rock and roll history?” On the question of its supremacy, they invoke Seinfeld: “On this issue there can be no debate.”
The story of how it came to exist is almost as remarkable as the riff itself.
The Song That Came to Keith Richards in a Dream
In May of 1965, Keith Richards went to bed with a guitar at the foot of his bed and a small Phillips cassette player nearby. He put a fresh blank tape in before falling asleep. When he woke the next morning, the tape had run all the way to the end. His guitar was in bed beside him.
“I put a fresh blank tape in, a new one, y’know, just in case,” Richards recalled. “When I woke up the next morning, I just glanced at the tape and it’s run all the way to the end. And then all of a sudden I realized that my guitar was now in the bed lying next to me. And so out of curiosity I ran the tape back to the beginning, and there it is — ‘dun, dun, da na nun, da nanna nanna.’ But I had no recollection of actually doing it.”
What Makes This the Greatest Opening Guitar Riff Ever
What makes the opening of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” so iconic is its inevitability. The moment those four notes hit, the listener knows exactly where they are and exactly what is coming. It is one of the most instantly recognizable sounds in the history of popular music, a riff so perfectly constructed that it has never dated, never felt overplayed, and never lost its power to stop a room.
It also arrived at precisely the right moment. In 1965, rock and roll was still finding its identity — still figuring out what it could be and how far it could push. “Satisfaction” answered that question in four notes before Mick Jagger had sung a single word.
Released in June 1965, “Satisfaction” reached No. 1 in both the United States and the United Kingdom and remains one of the most celebrated recordings in the history of popular music. Rolling Stone has ranked it among the greatest songs ever made. Keith Richards, characteristically, has always seemed slightly bemused by the whole thing.
“Thank goodness for Keith somnambulantly hitting the record button on that Phillips cassette player,” as Somuchgreatmusic.com put it. “Somehow. A world without that riff would’ve offered a lot less satisfaction.”
Quentin Tarantino is not a filmmaker with many, if any, films that are considered “misses.” Every movie in the writer-director’s filmography is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and all but two are 84% or higher.
Even with a nearly perfect body of work, including films like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, something has to be at the bottom. Tarantino himself has a clear opinion on what is the least impressive of his career.
In The Hollywood Reporter’s Director Roundtable series, also featuring Gus Van Sant, Ben Affleck, Ang Lee, David O. Russell and Tom Hooper, the director, promoting Django Unchained at the time, gave his answer.
“Death Proof has got to be the worst movie I ever make. And for a left-handed movie, that wasn’t so bad, all right? — so if that’s the worst I ever get, I’m good. But I do think one of those out-of-touch, old, limp, flaccid-dick movies costs you three good movies as far as your rating is concerned.”
Tarantino’s Death Proof was a part of a unique collaboration with fellow director Robert Rodriguez to create an official double feature called Grindhouse. Rodriguez’s film, Planet Terror, paired with Death Proof to complete the final product.
The film, starring Kurt Russell, currently sits at 67% from critics and 71% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While Tarantino considers it to be his worst work, Death Proof is still a cult classic that many fans love. The film holds a 3.6/5 rating on Letterboxd, which is far from a film that moviegoers don’t like.
Since Tarantino broke into the business with his debut film, Reservoir Dogs, in 1992, he has made a total of nine movies. He has repeatedly said that he will limit himself to 10 films before calling it quits, only allowing the director one more.
It is still undecided what that final project will be. Tarantino wrote a sequel film for Brad Pitt‘s character, Cliff Booth, that will premiere in 2026, but was directed by David Fincher. This week, it was announced that a sequel to Django Unchained is in development without his involvement at all.
Due to Tarantino’s self-imposed 10-film rule, the era of his stories and characters getting new life without him is just beginning.
When it comes to car maintenance, there are some jobs that you might assume should be performed by experienced mechanics only. But with prices for an oil change ranging from anywhere between $25 and $125 depending on where you take your car and what kind of vehicle you own, the cost of keeping your car running smoothly can stack up, and you might be considering doing it yourself.
Like tuning up your garage door springs and restoring cloudy headlights, changing your oil yourself isn’t as difficult as you might be thinking. If you’re a beginner to at-home car maintenance, you might be surprised to learn just how quickly and easily you can complete this task at home, in just 30 to 60 minutes.
Read on for all the information you’ll need to change your oil at home, including the tools required, the mistakes you’ll want to avoid, answers to any questions you might have, and step-by-step instructions.
Why Changing Your Oil Is Important
Oil keeps your vehicle running smoothly. It lubricates all of the engine’s components and prevents damage: Without it, those moving parts would rub against each other and end up breaking, leading to expensive repair work. However, over time, the oil in your engine can pick up dust, dirt, and other debris. Dirty oil is less effective as a lubricant, and can reduce your car’s performance. Regular oil changes are an important part of your overall car maintenance to ensure peak performance and keep your car running for longer.
We reached out to fabricator and mechanic Gabriel Scheuher, who creates car maintenance content for more than 72,000 followers on Instagram, for advice. He explains: “It’s important to change your oil regularly, because it cools engine components by carrying heat away, protects against corrosion and sludge buildup, and cleans by suspending dirt, metal particles, and combustion byproducts.”
The frequency with which you need to change your oil depends on the make and model of your car, and we would always recommend checking your owner’s manual for specific guidance. As a general rule, however, it is best to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for older cars. More modern vehicles, meanwhile, can run between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes.
It is worth noting that if you are using synthetic oil, this lasts considerably longer, and you may be able to go as much as 15,000 miles before requiring an oil change.
Changing your oil at the right time can help extend the life of your car.
Start the car and run the engine for a few moments: This will warm up the oil, helping it to flow better. “First, the oil temperature has to be warm so that the oil is thin,” says Scheuher.
Step 2: Park Safely and Lift the Car
Position the car on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Then, if necessary, raise the car on a jack stand to provide easy access to the oil drainage.
Step 3: Locate the Drain Plug and Oil Filter
The drain plug is a large nut under the car’s oil pan, which you’ll usually find below the engine. The oil filter will be located near the oil pan, and should be clearly labeled. If you’re unsure of where to find the drain plug and oil filter on your car, you can refer to your owner’s manual.
Step 4: Drain the Old Oil
Place the drain pan under the plug, ensuring that it will be big enough to contain all of the oil. Then, remove the drain plug. The oil will start to flow out into the pan. Allow the oil to fully drain from the car.
Step 5: Replace the Oil Filter
Unscrew and remove the oil filter, being careful not to spill any oil that may still be inside. Then, using a gloved finger, lightly oil the rubber gasket on your new oil filter, and install it in the old filter’s place, screwing it in tightly by hand. Applying a thin layer of oil to the gasket will help to create a seal as you tighten it.
Step 6: Reinstall Drain Plug
Return the drain plug to the bottom of the oil pan, screwing it back in until it’s a snug fit. It is important that you don’t overtighten, as an overly tight fit can damage the drain plug and by extension the oil pan.
Step 7: Add New Oil
You can now lower the car back to the ground and pop the hood. Before adding the new oil, be sure to check the manufacturer-recommended amount for your vehicle. Once you have the correct amount, use the funnel to pour the new oil into the hole in the oil filter.
Step 8: Check Oil Level and Run Engine
Checking that you’ve got the right oil level is really simple: Pull the dipstick from its tube, wipe with a paper towel or rag, and reinsert it. Then remove it one more time to check that the oil is lined up with the “full” line on the stick. If it’s not quite full enough, carefully add more oil in small volumes using the funnel until you reach the “full” mark on the dipstick.
Keeping the car in park, start the ignition and run the engine briefly. “Leave it running for around one minute, then check the oil level again,” advises Scheuher. “If needed, refill.”
“Don’t hurry, and stay chill so you don’t forget anything in the process,” says Scheuher. Useful pointers to keep in mind when changing your oil include:
Lay down cardboard or newspaper before beginning to avoid a mess.
Before removing the old oil, it can help to loosen the oil cap first to help it drain out faster.
Don’t overtighten the drain plug or oil cap when reinstalling them.
Always double-check the oil level.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Doing an oil change by yourself for the first time can feel daunting, but it really isn’t that complicated, as long as you keep an eye out for the following common mistakes that beginners can make:
Using the Wrong Type of Oil
Firstly, using the wrong type of oil can cause issues, because different oils have different levels of viscosity, and your car’s manufacturer will specify the exact right kind of oil to keep that particular engine running smoothly. You can easily check this in the owner’s manual. Additionally, the oil cap on your car may include a recommended oil type.
Overfilling or Under-filling
When refilling the oil, be sure not to add too much or too little. The correct amount of oil for your car will be specified in the owner’s manual.
Forgetting to Replace Parts
Another easy mistake is forgetting to replace the drain plug or oil filter once you have completed the oil change.
Overtightening Parts
Similarly, once you do replace the plug and filter, it’s important not to overtighten them. Fitting these too tightly can cause the plug and oil pan to break once the engine is running.
Not Checking for Leaks
Once the job is complete, not everybody looks for leaks around the oil filter and under the vehicle. This can help you ensure everything was put back correctly.
When taking your car to an auto shop to get the oil changed by an experienced mechanic, the job is usually done in 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re doing it by yourself at home, expect it to take a little longer: around 30 to 60 minutes. The first time you do it, it will probably take the full hour, maybe slightly longer. But when you’ve completed the task once, you’ll find doing it a second time is much faster and more straightforward.
“It normally depends on what car you’re working on,” adds Scheuher. “There are cars where you need 15 minutes, but there can also be cars where it takes two hours. It also depends on if you have a lift or only a carjack. It’s most important that you take your time and don’t rush, because if you forget something it can cause big and expensive issues.”
DIY vs Professional Oil Change
There are some pretty great advantages to changing your own oil, most notably being the money you’ll save, and the control you’ll have over choosing your own materials. However, there are also perks to taking your car into a shop for an oil change. Professional, experienced mechanics will be able to get the job done more quickly, and with less mess. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
What to Do With Old Oil
Put all old oil in a firmly sealed container. Do not pour it down a drain. There are a number of ways to get rid of your old oil that are safe and environmentally sound. Many stores accept used oil. Alternatively, you can take it to a recycling center, or to an auto shop, which will have its own methods of safely disposing of used oil. You should never dump old oil.
Changing your own oil might seem like a complicated task, but it’s simpler than you might think. “It’s easy to do it yourself if you have the needed tools like a carjack/lift, a ratchet with the needed nuts, and the oil filter and the right oil for your exact type of car,” says Scheuher.
Can I change oil without lifting the car?
This depends entirely on the kind of vehicle you’re working on, and the amount of clearance between the ground and the bottom of the car. Sometimes, there will be sufficient space to allow you to drain the oil pan and replace the plug and filter. If you don’t have access to a car lift, then you may be able to create enough clearance using a standard carjack.
What oil should I use?
The kind of oil you use will vary from vehicle to vehicle. If you’re not sure, then you can check the owner’s manual or the cap on your oil filter.
Do I need to change the filter every time?
Yes, it’s important that you replace the oil filter each time you change your oil. This helps to prevent contamination, where traces of dust and metal from your previous oil get back into the engine.
There wasn’t anything too interesting about the first half between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. The Knicks led 83-36 at halftime in the closeout contest that could potentially send New York to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive year.
Fans got some extracurricular fireworks with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter. With the Knicks at the free-throw line, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and New York’s Mitchell Robinson locked arms under the basket and wouldn’t let go. The players had to be separated by several other players and coaches on both teams, and they were eventually both ejected from the game.
It was hard to see which player started the altercation, but, understandably, both teams are sick of each other. The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the series after game 3, and many people expected the series to be competitive after that. Instead, New York has taken a stranglehold on the series and looks to be headed to the next round if they close out game 6.
The Knicks have championship aspirations this year after failing to get to the NBA Finals the last two seasons. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart form the core of a Knicks team that has built a talented roster over the last half-decade, but is still looking to fully realize their potential.
Atlanta had a strong second half of the season after trading longtime franchise star Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Jonathan Kuminga and C.J. McCollum have been great additions for a young team that has a chance to rapidly improve in the Eastern Conference. It should be a little concerning, though, why the team fell apart in the last three games of the series after looking like they could put up a serious fight early on.
The Knicks would take on the winner of the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers series. The Celtics are looking to close that one out tonight in Philly, but the Sixers have tremendous confidence after taking the fifth game in Boston.
