The Real Value of an Oil Change

Getting the oil in your vehicle changed is not particularly fun or exciting – no one claims that it is, but it is important. Proper maintenance of your vehicle is just like any other kind of maintenance: it helps avoid serious problems, but it can feel like a chore. When it comes to getting your oil changed, you might be tempted to choose the cheapest option available to you. While you certainly want to look for the best oil change prices around Cincinnati, it’s important to look beyond simple dollar amounts.

The real value of a good oil change is not simply what it costs you out of pocket, but what it will save you in the long run. Going to a cheap lube shop can be tempting, especially when your budget is tight, but the long-term costs can be pretty serious. Some shops charge so little because they have unskilled workers that barely know what they’re doing, and they pay them as little as possible. Is that really the person you want to trust with something as important as the engine of your vehicle?

Here at McCluskey Chevy, our certified service center is staffed by some of the best technicians and mechanics in the industry. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and the value it provides for you in the long run. You might find someone else offering cheaper work, but in the end, you always get what you pay for.

The Importance of an Oil Change

All vehicle maintenance is important for ensuring your car, truck, or SUV keeps running smoothly, but an oil change is one of the simplest things you can do for your vehicle. Internal combustion engines live up to that name: while your vehicle is running, there are tiny explosions happening in your engine all the time. These explosions might be small, but they are still very powerful and generate a tremendous amount of heat and power – that’s what power’s your vehicle after all.

The oil in your engine helps keep all the moving parts sliding easily and minimizes friction and heat that would otherwise cause damage to your engine. Over time, the oil will naturally break down due to its use and become dirty with sludge that reduces how effective it is. That is why it’s so important to change your oil; fresh oil keeps your engine running smoothly and ensures the moving parts do not damage themselves through regular, everyday use. No matter how good your engine is or what type of oil you use, you will need to change the oil in it on a fairly regular basis to keep things working properly.

Finding the Best Oil Change Prices

When it’s time for an oil change, you’ll probably start off by looking for the best oil change prices you can find and let that guide your decision. That’s understandable: at the end of the day, we all want a good bargain, and paying the least amount is often a good way to go. However, when it comes to looking for the best oil change option overall, you should look beyond simply what a shop will charge you for their work.

The best oil change prices available will not just be the lowest price, but the best overall value for what you need. That means finding experienced professionals in a certified shop that knows how to work on your vehicle, who will take the time to make sure the job is done right. As a Chevrolet dealer, our service professionals and mechanics know Chevy vehicles inside and out, and we have factory-certified technicians here to help you with anything you need.

We might not always be the very cheapest price in town, but that’s because we offer the expert-level service that you deserve. Our mechanics treat every vehicle as if they were their own, so they take the time to make sure oil and filter changes are done properly. Plus, we offer numerous oils for you to choose from, so you can pick the oil for your vehicle that will keep you running smoothly and fit into your budget.

Dangers of Going with the Cheapest Option

You want to make sure your vehicle is in the very best hands whenever you have someone take care of it. Even something as simple as an oil change needs to be done by experienced individuals to ensure it is done correctly. We’ve heard too many horror stories about cheap lube shops offering quick oil changes, only for customers to discover their oil was never actually changed out. Or, even worse, that the old oil was drained out, but new oil was never added to replace it.

This can cause serious damage to your vehicle and even be potentially dangerous if your engine seizes up at the wrong moment. Shopping for the cheapest oil change might save you money today, but repairs or replacements for an engine can be far more expensive than any oil change. Cheap lube shops profit off volume and quick turnaround times to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

While we work hard to value your time and keep your oil change quick, we also know the importance of doing a job right. Focusing purely on maximizing profits by turning vehicle service into a meat grinder is a recipe for disaster, and ensures proper care cannot be taken for your vehicle. That’s assuming that these lube shops even hire qualified staff, to begin with, rather than under-trained and uncertified people. The last thing you want is to find out that you trusted your vehicle to someone that doesn’t understand how to take care of your car and knows less than you do about proper car maintenance.

Consider the Costs of an Oil Change

Taking proper care of your vehicle is an investment in it that will continue to pay off for years to come. You certainly want to shop around for the best oil change prices in Cincinnati when you need service, but do not automatically pick the lowest price simply because it is cheapest. Look at the shop and make sure they are qualified to work on your vehicle; otherwise, you risk causing serious damage to your car that can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

When looking at oil change costs, you should also consider your options for motor oil, particularly conventional vs synthetic oil. While this is a subject of some debate among car enthusiasts, the evidence is clear: synthetic oil keeps your engine cleaner and works better. This is particularly important if you have a high-performance vehicle or a powerful pickup with a hard-working engine. The more stress you put on your engine, the more important high-quality motor oil becomes.

While synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, it is a worthwhile investment for your vehicle. To keep maintenance costs down, consider choosing synthetic oil for your next oil change; you can switch back to conventional oil if you wish, but synthetic oil and synthetic blends will help keep your engine clean and running at optimal levels. Call or come visit us at McCluskey Chevy for your next oil change and discover the peace of mind that comes from putting your car in the best hands possible.