Oil Change Basics
Why is an oil change important?
Oil plays a big role in keeping your engine running strong. Preserving your ride hinges on motor oil that’s clean and free of harmful contaminants. Dirty and grimy oil is anything but an engine’s best friend.
Change your oil on a regular schedule and avoid the damaging effects old, dirty oil can have on your engine. It’s ugly. The best way to ensure optimal engine performance and durability is to have the best and purest motor oils running through your engine. And you can be sure you’ll get all that plus more with every oil change at Tires Plus Total Car Care.
What happens if I don’t get an oil change?
Do you enjoy driving your car? Because not changing your oil is a sure fire way to end up with the gut wrenching consequences of engine failure. The life of your engine and your car depends on quality oil running through your engine parts. Exceeding mileage or waiting too long between oil changes (or just skipping them altogether) can cause extensive and damaging engine wear. Depriving your engine of its most vital lubricant isn’t something you’ll want to be behind the wheel for when premature engine breakdown occurs.
Get your oil changed and spare yourself the expensive repairs that can occur due to old and depleted oil.
Time for an oil change? Schedule an appointment.
How much oil does my vehicle need?
Every car, SUV or truck will have different requirements. To find out the amount of oil your ride takes, reach for your owner’s manual. Some rides could need as much as 15 quarts while others could need just 3 quarts. If you can’t track down your owner’s manual, give us a call, we’d be happy to fill you in on how much oil your vehicle needs.
Can my oil change schedule differ from manufacturer recommendations?
You bet. In fact, it varies from car to car. Information on the recommended oil change intervals for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual. You’ll find everything from the particular oil type to recommended intervals for oil changes based on driving conditions and the average climate where you live.
Severe conditions can require more frequent oil changes. While we’d like to believe that we’re all operating our cars under normal conditions, many times that is not the case. Your oil change interval will be affected and require more frequent changes if you live in very hot climates, constantly drive short distances or tow heavy loads. And when you see the change oil light appear, come see us at your next opportunity.
What is the best type of oil for my car?
For most drivers, this information can be found in your owner’s manual. For drivers who have high performance vehicles, perform a lot of towing or operate in extremely hot or cold parts of the country, a synthetic blend or full synthetic will be optimal. Synthetics, such as our Kendall Motor oils with Liquid Titanium, are designed with added engine protection and durability.
The Plus Side: High mileage vehicles benefit greatly from high mileage oils. For vehicles over 75,000 miles, our High Mileage Synthetic Blend Kendall Motor Oil is formulated to help maintain and preserve your engine for many miles to come. Set your ride up with superb protection as you rack up the miles.
What are common oil change myths?
Myths make for good rumors and false facts. Let’s put an end to these few oil change myths so you can get more out of your ride and its vital engine lubricant.
- You need an oil change every 3,000 miles. The greatest myth of them all. Back in the day, this mileage interval was reliable and accurate. But, that was back in the day. Today’s vehicle’s, and the oil we put in them, are more advanced than ever and can take you way past the 3,000 mile threshold if you play your cards right. You can find the recommended mileage interval for your particular vehicle in your owner’s manual.
- Synthetic oils damage seals. Every engine has little rubber seals designed to prevent leaks from occurring. For some reason, there’s still a rumor lingering that synthetic oils cause seals to break or crack. This may have been the case when synthetics were first put on the market back in the 70s, however, you can rest easy, as today’s synthetics have advanced significantly and are perfectly safe and seal friendly. Yes, it is true that engine seals age over time, but that’d not due to synthetic oils. In fact, our Kendall GT-1® High Mileage Synthetic Blend Motor Oil is engineered with special seal swell additives to help reduce premature seal breakdown, and even help prevent oil leaks.
- Synthetic Oils cause leaks. Man, we’d love to talk to the person that started this completely false rumor. Let’s put this to rest right now: Synthetic oils do not cause or create leaks. Now, before you start jumping for joy, synthetics do have smaller molecules capable of breaching smaller openings and crevices than standard oil. But, if you already have an opening in your engine, an oil leak will occur over time either way. Synthetics merely can detect an evolving or pre-existing leak sooner. Don’t blame the messenger, once that crack becomes larger, standard, conventional oil would have eventually leaked through it.
How does motor oil breakdown?
Motor oil breakdown, one of life’s biggest mysteries. Oil is affected by all sorts of conditions that can quickly turn smooth and slick oil into a gunky and ineffective mess. Here’s what’s happening inside your engine causing every drivers’ worst nightmare: oil breakdown.
- Motor oil + time = eventual breakdown. Excessive heat, the presence of air and moisture all play a role in oil degradation (oxidation). This is where oil thickening, sludge and deposit formations and corrosive wear all come into play. All these types of oil breakdown can really do damage to your engine if left in your system. A regularly scheduled oil change is the best defense against this engine destroying scenario.
- Diminished oil quality is finished oil. The additives found or added to motor oil keeps your engine working effectively. When these additives have fully depleted, the remaining oil can’t function properly, resulting in dirt and metals floating around freely. The longer they are free to float around, the more sludge that can form as a result of oxidation. What’s worse is the affect this has on your engine, as it is susceptible to damaging corrosive wear and metal on metal grinding. Bottom line: Change your oil, according to manufacturer specifications and avoid the ugly and expensive damage old oil can create altogether.
Having your oil changed as recommended by your manufacturer will help remove contamination and keep your engine lubricated with fresh and pure oil—the best protection for your engine.
Schedule your oil change today.What does my change oil soon light mean?
Well there might be a few things going on, but it’s most likely a definite that you’re due for an oil change. And don’t hesitate. The change oil light only comes on when it has sensed your oil has run its course. Let the light remain on, and you could wind up with some other unsettling and expensive problems as a result. Come on in and we’ll change your oil so you can go about your day without the change oil soon light giving you the evil eye from your dashboard.
What happens after you reset the oil light?
Your oil light is reset after every oil change. This tells your computer to reset the mileage traveled since your last oil change. Your computer can now restart the process of counting the amount of miles you’ve traveled on your current oil. Never doubt the oil light. When it reappears, your car has determined that you’re in need of an oil change.
Note: Oil lights function differently from vehicle manufacturer to vehicle manufacturer. The information regarding your oil light can be conveniently found in that little owner’s manual you have sitting in your glove box. Give it a look and learn about your oil system’s warning lights.
What does the oil filter do?
Your oil filter is your safety net from all harmful debris and dirt trying to enter your engine. Oil filters are engineered to trap all these potentially damaging particles before, so that they don’t enter your engine. We replace your oil filter with every oil change so that your engine can provide the best performance possible.
How do I check the condition of my oil?
If only it was as simple as rubbing oil through our fingers. But for the rest of us, the main symptoms that could mean an oil change is necessary are: low oil pressure, an engine that overheats or a car that’s having trouble starting in freezing weather.
The Home Oil Examination: Inspecting oil on your engine’s dipstick can tell you a lot about your motor oil’s current condition; especially if there’s excessive oil thickening or water contamination going on inside there.
- Step 1: Park your car on a level surface. Parking on an incline will give you an inaccurate reading of your oil level when you pull the dipstick out.
- Step 2: Oil expands when it is hot, so Wait until the engine is cold to check it.
- Step 3: Remove the dipstick, then wipe off any oil with a paper towel or rag. Reinsert the dipstick back into its home.
- Step 4: Remove the dipstick again. You’re not reading double, this is necessary to accurately gauge the oil level. When you remove the dipstick this time, hold it horizontally and see if the oil reaches the “
safe oil level
” indicator. If it is at the right level, let’s move on. - Step 4: What does your current oil look like? Keep that dipstick out, because now we’re going to have to look at the physical makeup and consistency of your oil. If your oil has a white, milky discoloration, moisture has undoubtedly contaminated your motor oil. If you see this coloring, we highly recommend an oil change at your next opportunity.
- Step 6: Add any additional oil (if needed). You can add more oil by removing the oil filter cap (located on the top of your engine). This cap will usually say “
Engine Oil
” on it. - Step 7: Confirm the oil level is correct. All you need to do is remove your dipstick and make sure it is now at the ’safe oil level’ we were talking about earlier.
- Step 8: Screw the engine oil cap back on. Don’t forget to do this. This cap needs to be on tight, so make sure you twist it until it is tight and secure.
- Step 9: Take your car in for an oil change. Low oil level and, most importantly, extended periods of time between oil changes are definite signs it’s time for your next oil change. Don’t worry. We’ve got all your oil needs covered.
Have oil change questions? Call your Tires Plus today. We’ve got all the answers.
How does oil travel through my engine?
Smoother than an Olympic swimmer. Oil pumps through very small engine passageways in order to provide the required lubrication necessary to keep moving metal parts from grinding on one another. Motor oil serves a second role as well: reducing and cooling the amount of engine heat that is generated. As you can see, oil is a pretty crucial lubricant. Your engine wouldn’t survive long without it. Here’s how it moves about your engine.
What parts are involved in ensuring oil pumps through the engine effectively?
- Moving Parts: Every part in your engine needs lubrication so that metal on metal friction does not occur. This includes the valve train, main and rod bearings, piston rings and cylinder walls.
- Oil Pan: Your oil sits here until it is shot up into your engine by the oil pump. Oil then travels through very small passage ways, providing lubrication to your moving parts. After it completes this cycle the oil drops back down into the oil pan.
- Oil Pump: In order for engine lubrication to occur, you must have an oil pump. The pump creates the pressure necessary to propel oil through all the tiny engine passageways. Without a functioning oil pump, oil wouldn’t have much use.
- Oil Filter: All that metal, dirt and debris that enters your oil system must be caught by the oil filter. Otherwise, it would be free to fly around and inflict great damage. An oil filter that’s oil dirtied up must be replaced if you want to get the most out of not only your oil, but your engine. That’s why we replace your oil filter with every oil change. Now that’s convenient.
Find out more about all the different engine parts that need lubrication.