Properly Maintain Your Automobile
Oil and water don’t mix. What’s the solution? What are some healthy maintenance habits to follow?
- Stop drips. Check for oil leaks regularly and fix them promptly. Keep your car tuned to reduce oil use.
- Use ground cloths or drip pans beneath your vehicle if you have leaks or are doing engine work. Clean up spills immediately. Collect all used oil in containers with tight fitting lids. Do not mix different engine fluids.
- Never dispose of oil or other engine fluids down the storm drain, on the ground or into a ditch.
- Recycle used motor oil.
- Buy recycled (re-refined) motor oil to use in your car.
Dispose of oil properly
Free oil pickup
Did you know that Seattle Public Utilities will pick up your oil for free? Place it in a one-gallon jug next to your recycling cart on collection day. Limit: two jugs per collection.
Look It Up Tool
Ask Seattle Public Utilities’ Evelyn the Envelope how to dispose of used motor oil.
Other Resources
The Department of Ecology has a Recycle Hotline Database, or call 1(800) RECYCLE line to find out more about where you can take used oil for recycling.