What Should You Know About Oil Changes?
It's spring-cleaning time. That goes for vehicles too--starting with oil changes. While this is a fairly simple concept, oil changes are one of the most important parts of good vehicle maintenance. Unless you want to take care of your vehicle yourself, becoming an informed consumer will help you trust your mechanic's work and advice.
Remember the 10 Facts about Oil Changes!
What is . . .
- recycled oil? Today's recycling uses the same refining process as for crude refining, yielding high-quality base oil. Most name-brands use the highest quality recycled oil with an advanced formula for performance that exceeds industry standards.
- conventional oil?Conventional uses natural crude products extracted from the earth which go through a refining process to produce a final product.
- the benefit of additives? Special additives can be good for certain vehicles in regard to seal leaks and oil consumption. However, some can be harmful to the engine if used improperly or at the wrong time. Certain additives can form sludge or cause problems related to engine lubrication.
- the difference in brands? Different companies use different additives which is what makes each product different from another.
- synthetic oil? Synthetics are derived from crude. However, synthetic uses higher base stocks than conventional. Synthetics also go through a different process than conventional for extra wear protection and overall higher shear strengths. Synthetic does not cause any damage to engine seals.
- dark colored oil? If it is dark colored, it means that it is using the detergents added to the formula for cleaning the inside of the engine. It doesn't necessarily mean it's time for an oil change.
- the purpose of changing the filter? It is good to change the filter at each oil change to eliminate any risk of contaminants that are trapped by the filter from re-entering the system.
- hard driving? "Hard" driving can be both long or short trips and actually pertains to high and/or constant changing of rpms, pulling or towing.
- weakened oil? Oil not only gets dirty, but any additives will weaken its effectiveness as the engine uses it up.
- the rule of mixing conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic, and high mileage oils? Mixing or switching between types is not harmful to your engine.
Tip to remember: Just a few dollars and a few minutes every 90 days or 3,000 miles for an oil change will keep your vehicle driving smoothly down the road.
Are you looking for premium oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive by calling (308) 381-2295 for more information and to find our oil change coupons. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
It's spring-cleaning time. That goes for vehicles too--starting with oil changes. While this is a fairly simple concept, oil changes are one of the most important parts of good vehicle maintenance. Unless you want to take care of your vehicle yourself, becoming an informed consumer will help you trust your mechanic's work and advice.
Remember the 10 Facts about Oil Changes!
What is . . .
- recycled oil? Today's recycling uses the same refining process as for crude refining, yielding high-quality base oil. Most name-brands use the highest quality recycled oil with an advanced formula for performance that exceeds industry standards.
- conventional oil?Conventional uses natural crude products extracted from the earth which go through a refining process to produce a final product.
- the benefit of additives? Special additives can be good for certain vehicles in regard to seal leaks and oil consumption. However, some can be harmful to the engine if used improperly or at the wrong time. Certain additives can form sludge or cause problems related to engine lubrication.
- the difference in brands? Different companies use different additives which is what makes each product different from another.
- synthetic oil? Synthetics are derived from crude. However, synthetic uses higher base stocks than conventional. Synthetics also go through a different process than conventional for extra wear protection and overall higher shear strengths. Synthetic does not cause any damage to engine seals.
- dark colored oil? If it is dark colored, it means that it is using the detergents added to the formula for cleaning the inside of the engine. It doesn't necessarily mean it's time for an oil change.
- the purpose of changing the filter? It is good to change the filter at each oil change to eliminate any risk of contaminants that are trapped by the filter from re-entering the system.
- hard driving? "Hard" driving can be both long or short trips and actually pertains to high and/or constant changing of rpms, pulling or towing.
- weakened oil? Oil not only gets dirty, but any additives will weaken its effectiveness as the engine uses it up.
- the rule of mixing conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic, and high mileage oils? Mixing or switching between types is not harmful to your engine.
Tip to remember: Just a few dollars and a few minutes every 90 days or 3,000 miles for an oil change will keep your vehicle driving smoothly down the road.
Are you looking for premium oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive by calling (308) 381-2295 for more information and to find our oil change coupons. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
