Changing your oil is as important for your vehicle's health as eating fiber is for your own health. Keeping your vehicle running clean and lean means keeping the oil fresh at regularly scheduled intervals. When you need to get your vehicle's oil changed, there's no better place than McCluskey Chevrolet, as we service all makes and models. So the next time you glance at the top-left corner of your windshield and realize, "Oh, look at that—I'm near my next mileage milestone; maybe I should find an oil change near me," think about visiting McCluskey Chevrolet first.
Our certified technicians are experts in automotive maintenance and service, and this is one of the prime reasons so many people visit our service center and keep coming back when it's time to get an oil change. We take care to ensure that everything works as intended and your vehicle receives the appropriate attention and oil maintenance. You can't go wrong when you put your trust in McCluskey.
Routine oil checks and changes are some of the most important aspects of vehicle maintenance—but why? Well, it all comes down to the longevity of your vehicle. Do you enjoy driving your vehicle? Do you want to keep driving your vehicle? These might seem like they should have simple answers, but not everyone makes the connection that proper oil care for a vehicle will determine how long you can keep driving your vehicle and how well you will be able to enjoy that ride.
Oil affects the lubrication of the engine components. When the oil runs dry or is no longer being filtered properly, or is no longer making its way around the engine as intended, this can cause serious catastrophic problems for the engine. Engines are acutely-arranged machinations with dozens of pounding, thrashing, and gnashing components, working in synchronicity to propel vehicles—and all that work wears the parts down significantly if they aren't well lubricated, much like how a hamfisted or careless application of a drill to a screw may strip the head or the threads of the latter. The heat generated in the engine bay and by all the moving components would quickly break down and cause catastrophic failure if not lubricated properly. That's why a well-oiled engine is so important when it comes to getting longevity out of your vehicle.
So why is a routine oil change so important? Because you need to keep the oil fresh according to the vehicle's maintenance schedule. Not every vehicle requires oil changes at the same intervals; some vehicles can go longer without an oil change, while others require their oil to be changed more frequently. It all depends on the powertrain configuration, how often or aggressively the vehicle is driven, and what kind of oil it takes. But this is why sticking to the scheduled maintenance as indicated in the vehicle's owner's manual is important (and why routine oil changes are essential) because if you want the best for your vehicle—and to get the most longevity out of it—you need to adhere to the prescribed routines.
Many people wonder if they need to get their oil changed depending on the length of time between oil changes or the number of miles a vehicle has. It's not uncommon for car owners to ask if you go by date or mileage when you need an oil change, and the answer is usually mileage, but date can also play a big factor when it comes to getting an oil change. And there are some very important reasons why both play a factor in maintaining your vehicle.
If you regularly drive your vehicle, and it doesn't just sit in a garage, then changing your oil every so-many-thousands of miles (or according to the designated mileage listed in the owner's manual) is very important. A regularly driven vehicle needs its oil changed based on mileage, and that's because the oil will be put to use regularly and will eventually build up particulate matter over time. So regularly changing the oil based on the designated mileage suggestions is very important.
For vehicles that are rarely driven or are only taken out during certain times of the year, your oil changes will be based on date rather than mileage. Maybe this is a heavy-duty pickup only used to plow snow or for periodic towing, a sports car only taken out on beautiful summer Sundays for a leisurely cruise, an oversized SUV only used for vacation travels, or a 4x4 you only take the tarp off of when you head to the backcountry for some lofty off-roading. In those cases, where very little mileage is put onto the vehicle throughout the year, the oil should be changed based on the time period designated in the owner's manual. For some vehicles, this is between three and six months, depending on the make and model. The reason for this is that the oil does not maintain its efficacy indefinitely, and over time the oil may degrade, which in turn will result in poor performance when it's time to finally drive the vehicle. So even for vehicles that aren't driven often, it's still important to have quality oil in them to maintain engine integrity.
Now this probably leads to the question, "What about vehicles that are driven occasionally but not infrequently?" Well, in that case, it's going to be a mix of date versus mileage. If the vehicle is only driven occasionally but for less than the recommended mileage for an oil change, then you would go by the date. If the vehicle is driven and has enough miles on it that it needs an oil change, then you would go by the mileage. Of course, if you're unsure and still thinking about when the best time to get an oil change is, don't hesitate to contact us at McCluskey Chevrolet. Our technicians can help you understand the optimal time to get an oil change based on the vehicle and its usage habits.
There are four types of oil classifications for vehicles depending on the kind of vehicle you drive and the kind of oil it requires, and various oil grades for each of the four oil classifications. Not every vehicle requires the same type of motor oil, and not every vehicle takes the same oil grade. Thankfully, getting the right kind of oil and oil grade for your vehicle is made easy at McCluskey Chevrolet because we have technicians willing to help you understand what the best grade of oil is for your vehicle.
The four types of oil are conventional motor oil, high-mileage motor oil, synthetic motor oil, and synthetic blend motor oil. Each of the four classes of motor oil is designed for different engine types. For instance, conventional motor oil is best used for basic models using simple engines. High-mileage oil is for vehicles that have a lot of miles on them and is designed for engines that have gone through a lot of wear and tear. Synthetic motor oil is designed to last a long time and provide vehicles with great serviceability based on a multitude of driving conditions. Synthetic blend motor oil is a combination of conventional motor oil and synthetic motor oil.
The different motor oil grades are also used to determine whether your vehicle needs motor oil that works in very high or very low temperature settings. The oil grade designations are also there to help with understanding the viscosity (or thickness) of the oil grade and whether it's better for your vehicle depending on the season, temperature, and how often it's being driven. If all of this seems overwhelming, keep in mind that the oil grade designations for your vehicle are located in the owner's manual. Alternatively, you can contact our technicians at McCluskey Chevrolet, and we can help you figure out and understand what type and grade of motor oil is perfect for your vehicle based on a number of factors.
Routine oil changes are important, but it can be just as important to make sure your oil is in great shape between your visits to our experts here at McCluskey Chevrolet. Fortunately, this is easy for you to do at home, and it only takes a few minutes once you know how to do it. We suggest checking your oil about every two weeks or at least once each month; all you need is an old rag or some paper towel.
Park your vehicle on level ground and make sure it has been off for a while so that your engine and its oil are cool. Pop your hood and locate the dipstick for the oil on your engine (your owner’s manual can help you with this); pull it out, wipe it clean with the rag, then reinsert it and pull it out again. This time, check where the oil level is on the stick to make sure you have enough in your engine, and look at the oil to see that it is dark amber in color, mostly clear, and neither black nor sludgy. As long as everything looks good, your oil is in great shape; if it is low, then add more of the same oil to your engine, and if it looks dirty or thickened, then you might need an oil change sooner than you expect.
No one wants to deal with the consequences of avoiding an oil change; at best, your vehicle will run poorly, and at worst, you're looking at a major catastrophe for your ride. The idea of having our vehicle's engine completely seize up and need to be rebuilt or replaced is the type of thing that makes many of us lose sleep at night.
And yet, there are a lot of people who push the timing of an oil change well past when it is due and ignore the condition of their vehicle. More often than not, this is due to a lack of time; life is busy and we all know how easily things can pile up that need our attention. When you are putting out fires at work, trying to coordinate after-school activities for your kids, and making time for other errands, the idea of stopping to get an oil change quickly becomes one thing too many.
That is why we offer overnight service to make things easier. With our overnight service option, you simply schedule a time for your next oil change that works for you—overnight—and let us take care of everything else. Once you've scheduled your appointment, then you drop off your vehicle with us in the evening, go home, enjoy yourself, get a good night's sleep, and pick up your vehicle in the morning. While you get some well-deserved rest, we will change the oil in your vehicle and handle anything else you need regarding simple, routine service.
This service is also available if you have a business and you need service performed for a commercial vehicle or fleet; you can get work done, let us change the oil on your truck or van overnight, and then get back to work the next day without skipping a beat. Whether you want to relax in our comfortable service lounge while we change your oil or have us take care of things overnight, we are here to help.
Changing your oil on a routine basis—per the schedule set by your vehicle’s manufacturer—is important, but it is not the only sort of essential maintenance you should have in mind. Just as important as oil changes are other tasks like inspecting your brakes routinely, replacing your air filters (both for the engine and your cabin), and checking and adjusting your suspension.
Similarly, there are a number of other fluids in your vehicle that need to be checked on a somewhat regular basis and replaced over time as they get dirty or stop working as effectively as possible; this includes things like your brake fluid, radiator fluid, and transmission fluid. With the abuse tires take, it is also essential that you have your tires checked regularly, rotated on a schedule, and replaced when the time comes so you stay safe on the road. We can help you with all of these things and more to ensure your vehicle is in the best shape possible.
As a Chevy dealership, it goes without saying that we know our Chevy models inside and out. (Our service technicians could probably work on them with their eyes closed!) But our service center is here to assist you with whatever you need, no matter what make or model you drive.
Whether you have a Chevy truck that started making a strange sound, you require new tires for your Ford, or your Toyota needs an oil change, we want to help. With a quick call or online outreach today, you can tell us about your vehicle and the kind of service you are looking for so we can help you take care of it. No matter what you drive, we are here to make sure you have a great car you can always rely on.
No matter what kind of service or care your vehicle needs, we are here to help. Other types of routine service we offer include:
We would be here all day trying to detail everything we can do for your vehicle, but you get the idea. No matter what you drive and no matter what kind of maintenance, service, or repairs it needs, we are here to help. Give us a call or schedule your service appointment online right now so we can make sure your car, truck, or SUV is in great shape for you and your family to enjoy.
Putting off getting an oil change can have long-lasting effects on your vehicle—and typically not the good kind—so it's important that, if you're ever thinking about getting an oil change, it's best to err on the side of caution. You should have a consistent oil change schedule, or at least a mindfulness of your vehicle's performance and mileage, so you can receive the proper maintenance and care as soon as possible.
It's never too early to start thinking ahead to schedule for your car, truck, crossover, or SUV to receive an oil change. We're always more than happy to get your vehicle's oil serviced at McCluskey Chevrolet, so you can keep driving for many miles and miles and years and years...
