Oil, Lube & Filter Change

Oil Change | Why Is It Important
Quick, what is the second most expensive item you have bought? For most people, it is your car. And whether it still has that new car smell or is over a hundred thousand miles, there is one thing more important than any other to getting the most value out of your vehicle: regular oil changes. And by regular oil changes what we mean is every 3-6 months or five thousand miles, like clockwork if you want your car to keep ticking along. More frequently if you have an older vehicle. And that is one way we at Xpertech Auto Repair Inc help extend the life of your car and save you money.

Better Cars | Better Oil
Today’s cars are more precisely designed and built than those thirty years ago, and the move to synthetic oils has improved how well the engine is lubricated. These two things mean the old "change your oil every three thousand miles" rule of thumb is as outdated as tail fins. Although we at Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc. would love to see you that often, your car (unless it is old enough to have a tape deck) probably doesn’t need it, something the "other guys" won’t tell you because they like your money more than they like cars. We at Xpertech like cars.

When You Need An Oil Change
This difference in miles to oil change doesn’t sound like a big deal, but what would you do with the hundred bucks a year we just saved you? Probably something more fun than hanging out in a garage, unless you are like us because we here at Xpertech love garages and cars enough to tell you how to not spend all your time here.

But when you do come in for that 5k oil change, we will take the time to inspect the car at no cost to you. Because we can then tell you "hey, you need to do X. Not now, but in the next few months" so you can fit it into your crazy schedule and budget for it. Instead of springing on you "you gotta do this NOW or else!" like some fast change oil places we won’t mention will do.

DID YOU KNOW?

The most important thing you can do to keep your vehicle running for a long time is to change your oil on schedule. With a full service oil change, your other fluids are checked and topped off so you don't run into problems from low fluids. Your technician may see a developing problem and he'll remind you of any other recommended maintenance.

Severe Service

Check the owner's manual to see if your driving habits are considered to be "severe service." This type of driving requires more frequent oil changes, warns the Car Care Council. Have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3-5,000 miles. For less wear and tear on the engine, drivers in cold climates (sub-zero driving temperatures) should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30.

We Are Here to Help
We want you to be able to look at your oil change like a regular dentist’s appointment: at least twice a year you get checked and told what you need to plan on doing BEFORE it starts hurting and costs a lot more. Not getting drilled is a better option, and we at Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc will do our best to not drill you by pointing out stuff before it becomes painful, but we can only do that if you come by regularly. So come over to Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc for that oil change, and let us check over your second biggest purchase to make sure everything is ok. Or else the cost could be a lot more than what you budgeted for.

Oil Change Service

Description: The typical oil filter consists of a high-strength steel housing containing various types of filtering media. An anti-drainback valve prevents oil from running out of the filter when the engine is off. Today's oil filters have a convenient spin-on design that makes removal and installation easy.

Purpose: The oil filter sifts out contaminants, allowing the oil to flow through the engine unrestricted. Should the oil filter become restricted or clogged with contaminants, they will flow around the filter. This bypassing is a safety mechanism, but you never want to let oil and filter changes go so long that bypassing takes place.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: For best results, consult your owner's manual, but consider that your driving probably constitutes a severe maintenance schedule. Usually, this means oil and filter changes every 3,500 miles or 3 months. An oil change at your local shop: Sounds simple, but there’s some pretty important things to know about preventing oil sludge.

Oil eventually starts to turn into jelly. Literally – petroleum jelly. Sludge clogs up oil passages and keeps oil from getting to some areas of the engine, causing parts to wear out prematurely. And that means expensive engine repairs.

That’s why you need to change the oil and oil filter on schedule – to get the old oil out before it turns to sludge. Your manufacturer will have a recommendation for how many miles you can go between oil changes. They also usually have a number of months between recommended oil changes. That’s because the detergents and other additives in the oil break down over time.

Your owner’s manual will have a recommendation for time and mileage, but you need to remember that it’s based on using the recommended weight of oil. And if your vehicle came from the factory with synthetic oil, the recommended intervals assume you continue to use synthetic.

Also how you drive around in our suburban street can have a big effect. Most owner’s manuals will have a list of driving conditions that are harder on your vehicle. Things like stop and go driving, short trips or driving in very hot or very cold weather, heavy loads and towing. If some of your driving fits this, you may need to change your oil and do other maintenance on a shorter schedule.

This may sound complicated. Some vehicles have an oil life calculator that takes all of these factors into account and tells you when you should change your oil. Otherwise, talk with our Service Advisor about how you drive and get their recommendation for when to take care of your service.

Finally, if any of the steering or suspension parts can be lubed, our technicians will take care of that with a lube, oil and filter service.

It is Cheaper to Change Your Oil than to Change Your Engine!