Waiting for an Oil Change: Productive Ways to Pass the Time

Getting an oil change in Cincinnati or anywhere else in the United States for that matter, can sometimes feel like a waste of time. We have already detailed the many benefits of following your vehicle’s recommended schedule for oil change service, and that putting off oil changes can mean a big repair bill for you and your vehicle. Just because getting your oil changed is traditionally seen as a boring “waste of time,” doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. We have come up with some fun things that you can do while your car is being serviced, that you will be looking forward to your next oil change.

Oil Change: Fun (and Productive) Things to do While You Wait

Just because you have to sit and wait for your car to be serviced, doesn’t mean you have to be bored doing it. With the internet at your fingertips, and countless other fun (and productive) activities to keep you busy, you can surely find a way to make the clock tick a little faster while you wait. Check out some of our suggestions on what to do to make that oil change wait feel like seconds, rather than minutes.

• Shop. Maybe there is a store within walking distance, or maybe you can get some online shopping done while you sit in the lounge area. Either way, this is a task that will not only make you feel productive, but will also make you smile.
• Make a “To-Do” List. Maybe the tasks waiting at home are running through your mind. Take this time to write them out in a list, and prioritize what needs to be done first. The sense of relief you feel from just writing these things down might surprise you.
• Important Phone Calls. Whether it’s the doctor, cable provider, or other entity that you can only reach during regular business hours, this is a great time to check each one off your list.
• Work. Most service centers are equipped with tables and free Wifi. Take advantage and get some work or homework accomplished while you wait.
• Scheduling. Take the time to work through your calendar and update where it may need it. Review your future schedule and be sure there aren’t any conflicting events.

Why You Need an Oil Change

We know we’ve gone over this plenty of times before, but this is such an important topic – not only to us but also just in general – that it’s really worth revisiting. It can seem like getting your engine’s oil changed regularly is simply busy work or a way for dealerships and service centers to make a quick buck. In reality, however, this is an essential part of maintaining and owning your vehicle; if you don’t change its oil, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The oil in your engine is there to lubricate the moving parts and help reduce heat from friction while it’s operating. Your engine basically runs on powerful explosions that occur hundreds of times each minute, with hot, metal parts sliding around each other. The oil keeps friction down in order to keep the situation from becoming even hotter and to avoid your engine damaging itself. Over time, through daily use, the oil becomes dirty and less effective in how well it does its job.

If you don’t change your oil regularly, then at the very minimum, your engine won’t run as well as it should. This can result in lowered fuel economy, a rougher ride, and just an overall less enjoyable time behind the wheel. If your oil gets low and you don’t keep it sufficiently filled, then parts won’t get lubricated well enough, and your engine could overheat, run poorly, or end up damaging itself.

This last bit is the really big problem – failure to have enough oil in your engine and to have it changed as needed can result in serious issues. Your engine can basically self-destruct due to so much friction and heat created that parts are damaged or completely destroyed while it’s running. A relatively fast and inexpensive bit of routine maintenance today can keep you from needing to replace your entire engine down the road – something that takes much longer and is far more expensive than an oil change.

Other Services to Get

For most people, getting your oil changed probably isn’t your idea of fun; to really take advantage of your time, however, consider other types of regular service that you can take care of while you’re at it. To keep your vehicle in great shape and running smoothly, there are numerous types of routine maintenance that you need to take care of. Some of these things don’t have to happen too often, but others are pretty frequent – when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change, you can also have other services done at the same time to minimize how often you need to worry about these things.

• Air Filter Replacement – This is a filter under the hood of your vehicle that helps keep the air going into your engine clean. When it gets dirty, the airflow into your engine can be reduced, creating a rougher ride.
• Serpentine Belt Replacement – This belt runs throughout your engine and is very important. It doesn’t need to be replaced too often, but if it’s about time to replace it, then having it done during an oil change is easy.
• Cabin Filter Replacement – The filter to the cabin helps keep the air through your heating and cooling system nice and clean. It’s a good idea to replace it fairly regularly to keep everyone inside comfortable.
• Fuel Filter Replacement – This keeps the fuel going to your engine clean to avoid sediment buildup. Replacing it yourself can be a real hassle while having us replace it for you during your oil change is quick and easy.
• Alignment Check – While we have your car lifted up for an oil change, it’s easy for us to check the alignment of your wheels and make any adjustments necessary. Proper alignment makes driving easier, can improve your gas mileage, and helps keep wear on your tires even.
• Brake Check – We can also inspect your brakes while your vehicle is lifted up. This is very fast and simple. If a problem is found, then we can discuss your options for how soon you should have more work done to ensure you’re safe on the road.
• Tire Rotation – It’s also easy to rotate your tires while we have your vehicle lifted up for an oil change. This ensures even wear on them and can help maximize the lifespan of your tires.

There are other types of service that your vehicle might be ready for, too, so please ask us about anything you may need to take care of, and we’ll help you out.

Which Kind of Oil to Choose

Picking the right type of oil for your vehicle isn’t always easy and really comes down to what you drive and the kinds of conditions you typically drive in. This is something we’re happy to discuss with you and we can answer any questions you have to help you pick the right one. Your three primary options include:

• Conventional – Traditional motor oil, this starts with mineral oil that is processed and distilled to be as efficient as possible. This is the least expensive option, but doesn’t have any other benefits.
• Synthetic – This motor oil is created in a lab, engineered for peak efficiency. It works very well and can help remove dirt and buildup from your engine, but it’s also the most expensive option.
• Synthetic Blend – As the name suggests, this is a blend of conventional and synthetic oils together. It’s a great middle-ground that gives you some of the benefits of synthetic, even though it’s not quite as good while costing less than pure synthetic oil.

Whichever type you choose, it’s important that you only use that same type any time you need to add more to top off the oil in your engine. You can also change the type of oil you use when you get an oil change. Many people go with conventional or a blend one time, then synthetic the next, and alternate back and forth to save money and still get the benefits of synthetic over time.

Other Things to Do While You Wait

It’s Saturday morning, you finally have a day off to enjoy, but you need to get an oil change – so you take your car to a service center, sit in a small, hot room for two hours while someone changes your oil, and you start to question every decision you’ve made in your life. We’ve all been there, and it’s awful. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, however, we’ve re-imagined what it means to have your car serviced.

We invested more than $7 million to renovate our service center and customer facilities so that you get the best experience possible while you wait for your oil to be changed. What does that mean? How about an Internet Café where you can enjoy complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi while enjoying free popcorn, chocolates, donuts, and bottled water. Still want more? You can use one of our iPads while you relax in a leather massage chair or get something from our complimentary Coke and Starbucks machines.

If you prefer a more active approach, then we invite you to use one of our imported Italian bicycles and go for a ride while we work on your car. We also know that a lot of our customers are particularly busy during typical service hours, which can make it difficult to schedule time for an oil change. Our service center is open until 3 am Monday through Thursday, and we’re open seven days a week; no matter when you need to come in, we’ll be here to help.