Oil Change Services
Learn all you need to know about different oil change services near you today.
Oil change services are vital to the life and safety of your vehicle. Oil change services are vital to the longevity and overall safety of your vehicle. Whether you have the skills to perform DIY oil changes or need to hire a service provider to do the job, regular oil changes are needed for your car to perform its best for as long as possible. Prices vary based on your location, the type of oil you buy and other factors. The most important thing is to ensure the oil in your automobile is fresh, clean, and full all year long. Continue reading to learn all you need to know about DIY and professional oil change services near you today.
Understanding the Importance of Regular Oil Changes. Having your car serviced on a regular basis is important. Having regular oil changes performed is perhaps the most vital part of those regular vehicle maintenance services. Sometimes car maintenance repair bills are high, but this is not commonly the case with oil changes. Why are regular oil changes so important?
An oil change essentially works for a vehicle the same way a detoxifying cleanse functions for the human body. The purpose of both is to clear unwanted substances from necessary operational systems and clean up the components required to run them. One primary difference is humans survive without detox cleanses, whereas automobiles are destroyed when driven too long on unchanged oil. Vehicles operate outside in a wide variety of weather and climates. Debris (small and large) accumulates in your vehicle’s oil over time.
This debris, combined with accumulated dirt corrupts and weakens the oil’s composition. When this happens, the oil fails to do its jobs. These jobs include lubricating essential components and keeping your engine (and other systems) operational. Oil also dries up when left unchanged for extended periods of time. When this happens your engine block cracks, and your vehicle is effectively totaled.
How Often Should Your Change Your Motor Oil?
The frequency at which you are advised to change the oil in your vehicle varies based on several factors. The type of vehicle and its age influence how often you should have your automobile’s oil changed. The type and quality of oil you purchase also plays a role, as do any enhanced energy efficiency features your vehicle has. Recommended service frequencies are stated in both miles and months, usually as whichever comes first.
This is because drivers who take their automobiles on the road more often tend to burn through oil faster. Older vehicles are recommended to receive oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or every 3-5 months, whichever comes first. Newer vehicles are recommended to receive oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or every 6-12 months, whichever comes first. Newer vehicle models equipped with enhanced energy efficiency features as stated above are suggested to receive oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or every 6-12 months, also whichever comes first.
Do I Need an Oil Change? Here’s How to Check Your Own Oil
As you will read below, numerous discounts and specials are available for professional oil change services nationwide. Still, if you have the experience and skills, you might save yourself some money performing a DIY oil change. The first step involves knowing how to check your oil levels.
The process is quite basic, with a small learning curve for drivers how have never checked oil levels before. You want to have the maximum amount of oil in the pan when you check its level. This is accomplished by checking your oil before you start your automobile, or 5-10 minutes after you are done driving it. Every vehicle has an oil dipstick, which is a long flexible metal stick with a handle on top. This dipstick is firmly inserted into a pipe, which leads down into the oil pan.
The dipstick’s position is different for different vehicles. Use your owner’s manual to locate yours and remove it. Wipe off all oil from the dipstick using a clean rag or clean, sturdy thick towel. Reinsert the dipstick then remove it again. At this point you need to look at the dipstick to locate where the oil level stops. Each dipstick is engraved with high and low marker lines. You want the oil level to always be as close to “full” as possible. If the level is low, add enough oil to fill it up into the pipe before replacing the dipstick. If it is high, you might have other fluid leaking into the oil pan or additional problems.
What’s Included in an Oil Change Service?
A professional oil change service includes every process mentioned in the DIY steps above, plus numerous other helpful (and necessary) services. For example, many service providers also check other fluids, including transmission, power steering, washer, and coolant (antifreeze) fluids. Some services include a once-over inspection of your lights and lighting system(s) as well as you battery, wiper blades and belts. Having your serpentine and timing belts checked is often of major importance. When dried oil causes the engine block to crack, this consequently causes your timing belt to potentially snap. A broken timing belt renders your engine useless. Finally, oil change services also include:
Checking tire pressure and adding air as needed.
Assessing the proper type of oil needed for your vehicle.
Filling or changing oil as needed/requested.
Repairing or replacing minor items as mentioned above, also as requested.
Finding the Right Oil for Your Automobile
Conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend and high mileage motor oil types are available. The age of your vehicle, your driving style, the climate where you drive the most and specific vehicle requirements all impact the type of oil you need to purchase. Oil is also rated in variations of types, weights, and viscosities. Certain engines require specific oils because of this. For example, a 10W-30 oil product refers to…
How well the oil flows at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (10).
Winter (W).
Oil viscosity rated at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (30).
Your vehicle owner’s manual will tell you what type, weight and viscosity oil are recommended for your vehicle. When adding or changing oil on your own, only use what is suggested in your owner’s manual unless a certified professional mechanic tells you otherwise. If you are uncertain of what type to use, take advantage of handy online search portals by companies such as Pennzoil and Mobil.
Oil Change Services FAQs
Q1: How much do oil changes cost?
A1: Professional oil change services cost between $20 and $100. DIY oil changes cost between $25 and $40. Prices vary based on oil types, amount of oil needed and sales discounts and promotions.
Q2: How can I save on oil change services?
A2: Coupon sites such as Groupon often post oil change specials and sales. Dealers and service centers also run specials, as do other discount/coupon websites such as Honey, Retail Me Not, Capital One Shopping and Valpak.
Q3: What are the best oil change service providers near me?
A3: Walmart Auto Care Centers, National Tire and Battery (NTB), Pep Boys, Jiffy Lube and Midas are all top nationwide automobile service providers.