Car Maintenance 101: Everything You Need to Know About Oil Changes

Maintaining your vehicle is one of the most important responsibilities you’ll have as a driver, considering that you rely on your car to be dependable and keep you safe on the road. When you think about car maintenance, perhaps one of the first services that come to mind are oil changes, and if you want to keep your car running smoothly, your oil is crucial to your experience behind the wheel. At McCluskey Automotive, our expert service technicians help keep our customers moving forward safely and efficiently and are here to help with any routine maintenance, including oil changes. When you want to ensure that your vehicle is as safe and dependable as possible, don’t neglect your engine oil. Let’s take a closer look at why changing the oil is crucial to your vehicle’s health.

Why Oil Changes Are Important

The main responsibility of motor oil is to keep the moving parts of your engine lubricated so that they continue to operate properly, resulting in the proper functioning of your engine. The oil also filters out harmful debris, like dirt and dust, from getting into your engine, affecting its performance and efficiency. When you keep your engine oil clean, not only will you improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, you’ll also enjoy the absolute best performance out of your vehicle, making this service extremely important to the overall function of your vehicle.

Failure to change your oil regularly can result in a build-up of dirt and debris in your engine, which can lead to serious damage. In some instances, this can cause a complete engine failure, which means a new engine will be needed, and as you can expect, a new engine isn’t cheap. Not changing your oil can also lead to decreased performance and an unsafe driving experience for you and everyone traveling around you. It also takes its toll on fuel economy, resulting in increased expenses due to frequent stops at the pump. Motor oil absorbs much of the heat that radiates from your engine, and if it’s not changed enough, your engine can overheat, and you could break down on the side of the road.

As you can see, changing out your engine oil is necessary to avoid a lot of stress and headaches in the future. You don’t want to drive around in an unsafe or unreliable car, and you certainly don’t want to jeopardize anyone else’s safety. It’s a simple service that has a huge effect on the performance of your vehicle, so skipping it is not an option.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

This important service is necessary for all vehicles with an internal combustion engine; however, the frequency will depend on a few factors. For one, the make and model of your vehicle will play a part in how often oil changes are recommended. Newer vehicles can go longer without an oil change; however, older cars may need oil changes at the standard 3-month/3,000-mile mark. It’s a good idea to check out your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine how often the automaker recommends oil changes on your car.

Now, it’s important to remember that although your vehicle’s manual says one thing, your driving habits may say another. For those who frequently cover a lot of miles regularly, more frequent oil changes will most likely need to occur. Those who typically traverse rough terrain or tackle tough work on the job site may need oil changes more often than someone who drives normally. That’s why it’s important to partner with a service team that can design a service plan tailored to you and no one else. This will keep your vehicle running smoothly, no matter what lies ahead on the road, trail, highway, and beyond.

What Type of Oil Should You Use?

There are a number of different types of oil available to use in your car; however, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to use the correct oil to avoid any issues and enhance performance. Typically, many new cars take synthetic oil, but the type of synthetic oil will depend on how you use your vehicle on a day-to-day basis. For those who require maximum performance out of their car, fully synthetic oil is recommended, due to its high viscosity levels, allowing it to better lubricate your engine’s parts and cool it down appropriately. A synthetic blend is often cheaper than a full synthetic, offering a nice combination of performance-enhancing qualities and protection for your engine.

Conventional oil is widely used for older vehicles. It’s great for those who don’t rack up a lot of miles and those who participate in light-duty work. There’s also high-mileage oil, which is ideal for cars with over 75,000 miles on them, which helps improve the quality of the drive and reduce emissions. You have options when it comes to which type of oil you use in your vehicle, which is why having a trusted professional help you will make all the difference.

What to Look For in a Service Center

Don’t be fooled. Not all service centers are alike, and if you choose the wrong professionals to trust with your car, it may end up costing you. That’s why it’s important to do some research when finding the right team of professionals to keep your car running at its best. Read up on your local service centers and find out what their customers are saying about them. Look at the services they provide to ensure that they will be able to service your vehicle properly. It’s always a good idea to partner with a team familiar with many makes and models to ensure they have the knowledge it takes to take care of your car.

You also want to partner with a service center that displays transparency, not only with the maintenance and repairs needed on your vehicle but also when it comes to cost. The professionals you choose shouldn’t hesitate to answer any questions you may have or address your concerns. If you find yourself in a situation where the service center team isn’t open and honest with you, then it’s time to find a new service center to trust. Another good practice is finding a service center with access to high-quality parts so that you know you’re getting only the best parts for your vehicle. If you have doubts about the service center you’re interested in, that’s usually a good indicator that it may not be right for you.

We’re Here for All Your Oil Change and Service Needs

At McCluskey, we make sure that our customers enjoy top-of-the-line service at our state-of-the-art facility. We pride ourselves on being knowledgeable about all makes and models so that you can have immense confidence in us when it comes to keeping your vehicle running for miles. Oil changes are extremely important to the longevity and safety of your vehicle. They help to enhance performance and reliability so that you can always depend on your car when you need it. All of our oil changes come with a 27-point safety inspection to ensure you leave with total confidence in your vehicle. It’s just one of the many aspects that set us apart from other service centers.

When it’s time to service your vehicle, choosing to trust in McCluskey Automotive is a great way to ensure optimal dependability with your vehicle. Stop by and meet with our service professionals to see everything they can offer. From the moment you step through our doors, you’ll be greeted by a top-notch team in a warm and welcoming environment with only the best auto services available. So the next time you are in need of routine maintenance, like an oil change, and want expert service that is quick and thorough, look no further than our service team here at McCluskey Automotive for all your maintenance needs. Call, fill out an online service appointment form, or simply stop by, and we’ll set up an appointment for you today!