The Truth About an Oil Change?

Answer 1

Changing the oil in a vehicle is necessary and needs to be done on a regular schedule. Does oil become ineffective at 3,000 miles? No, but this is the point that vehicle manufacturers usually recommend the motor oil to be changed. Is an oil change that costs 50 dollars or more worth it? That is up to the consumer, but some information may clear up some misconceptions.

Most automobile owners take their vehicles in for an oil change around every 3,000 miles. Owner’s manuals recommend every three months or 3,000 miles. There are not that many family vehicles now that don’t get at least a thousand miles per month put on them due to insanely busy lifestyles. Owners pick a favorite shop to have the oil change completed in as short a time as possible because of those busy lifestyles.

Even the basic service is usually advertised as an oil and filter change with lube. Most new vehicles have sealed systems that do not require periodic lubrication by injecting grease at grease fittings to keep parts lubed. That just leaves an oil and filter change. The premium services also offer to top off the transmission, windshield washer and Power Steering fluids. There is a schedule for changing the Transmission Fluid. For new cars even five years-old, it is unlikely to need the power steering and transmission fluids topped off unless there are leaks. Access to the dipsticks and see-through plastic containers are prominently marked in the engine compartment of newer vehicles.

Four-wheel drive vehicles usually cost more to service because of the need to check the fluid level in the four-wheel drive system’s transfer case. This is a good service to have done if there is the slightest hint of a leak. The fluid level of the transfer case usually requires removing a plug underneath the vehicle. However, asking the technician to look for leaks during a basic oil change should reveal any problems.

The interior vacuuming and windshield cleaning performed as part of the premium services are mediocre at best. Filling the windshield washer reservoir can be done at home in about two minutes with a gallon of fluid bought for a dollar. In fact, one can afford premium windshield washer fluids by getting basic oil changes instead of paying for premium services. There can be a significant savings gained in a year by just sticking with basic oil changes.