Reliable Automotive in San Marcos offers the best oil change service in the area. Your vehicle is a major investment and it can be advantageous to maintain it with the help of the most qualified auto shop in the area.
If you’re overdue for an oil change service, schedule an appointment for a full-service oil change in San Marcos, TX today. Then, check out our coupon and savings page to find great deals on many services.
Routine Oil Change Maintenance Is the Key
The primary source of information you can use to care for your car is the owner’s manual. Here you will find recommendations on the frequency of oil changes and what kind of oil to choose. Generally, older vehicles use conventional oil, with oil changes every 3,000 miles or so. Newer cars and trucks use a synthetic or synthetic-blend oil, which can increase the time between changes by up to 7,500 miles.
It may surprise many drivers that the way they drive a vehicle also has an effect on an oil change schedule. More frequent oil changes are necessary if the vehicle tows heavy loads, makes frequent short trips, or is required to regularly drive difficult terrain. Another factor is the climate in which you live. Extreme climates demand more of a vehicle’s engine and it’s important for the oil to be kept clean to protect the engine.
Oil Changes Protect the Engine
Clean oil protects the engine in your car by:
- Keeping the car’s engine from overheating.
- Keeping dirt and debris from building up inside of the engine and its components.
- Keeping the engine free of rust and other corrosion.
- Reducing friction in the engine by providing a layer of oil over all the engine parts.
Having the oil changed in your car is a cost-effective investment. Don’t put it off and risk having to pay much larger repair bills later. Even better, Reliable Auto offers oil change coupons that can make your vehicle services even more affordable.
The Type of Oil Matters, Too
Many drivers simply keep using the same type of oil without ever giving it any thought. However, this isn’t a wise approach to your oil change needs — after all, your vehicle and its service requirements will change over time. If you don’t take this fact into account while choosing motor oil, you might not get the right oil type for your vehicle’s situation.
Instead, you’ll want to take some time to find an oil type that’s ideal for you. Before your next oil change in San Marcos, the service staff at Reliable Auto can help you decide which oil is best for your car:
Conventional Oil
Conventional oil (also known as “standard oil”) starts as a type of naturally occurring crude mineral oil. However, auto shops don’t put this type of oil into customers’ vehicles as -is. Instead, it gets partially refined, enhancing its protective properties and viscosity.
Even today, conventional oil is the most popular oil type on the market. However, this product’s popularity isn’t a result of exceptional performance — instead, it’s simply a result of the fact that conventional oil has a lower upfront cost than any other oil product.
The fact is, conventional oil can’t compete with more sophisticated oil types when it comes to engine protection. On top of that, this product’s shorter life span means you’ll need to schedule oil changes more frequently while using conventional oil in your vehicle.
Full Synthetic Oil
In contrast to conventional oil, full synthetic oil is created artificially in factories and labs. Thanks to this process, this form of motor oil is highly refined — and extremely effective. When you get a full synthetic oil change, you’ll benefit from a level of engine protection that no other oil type can deliver.
The only real drawback toof choosing full synthetic oil is a slightly higher price tag. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from selecting this oil type — after all, this product’s extended life span means you can save money in the long run by setting up oil changes less often than usual. And if your auto shop of choice offers affordable rates and money-saving coupons, you’ll have no trouble getting the high-quality oil your vehicle deserves.
Synthetic Blend Oil
If you’re having trouble choosing between conventional and full synthetic oil, you might not have to choose one of these options at all. Instead, you could go with synthetic blend oil — a mixture of full synthetic and conventional oil.
Synthetic blend oil is an excellent “midrange” oil type, as it can do a better job of protecting engines than conventional oil without costing as much as full synthetic oil. That said, this oil won’t be quite as effective as full synthetic oil or quite as affordable as conventional oil.
High-Mileage Oil
All of the oil types described above can perform well in relatively new vehicles — but eventually, you’ll need an oil type designed specifically for older cars. That’s where high-mileage oil comes in.
High-mileage oil is intended for use in cars that have been on the road for 75,000 miles or longer. While its creation process closely resembles the process used in full synthetic oil, high-mileage oil is enhanced with a specialized blend of seal conditioners, viscosity modifiers, anti-corrosion agents, and cleansers. As a result, this oil type will do the best possible job of combating problems commonly seen in older vehicles, such as oil burn-off and corrosion.
Though high-mileage oil can deliver some impressive benefits, it’s important to remember that this oil type isn’t meant for every driver. If you have a newer vehicle, full synthetic or synthetic blend oil will still be your best bet.
The Connection Between Oil Leaks and Oil Changes
By paying attention to their need for San Marcos oil change service, local drivers can keep their engines lubricated, protect their engines from overheating, and enjoy other performance benefits. What you might not know is that oil changes can also help you out in other ways — for example, by reducing your risk of oil leaks.
If you wait too long between one oil change and the next, your oil could start to break down; at that point, it can turn into sludge. This sludge puts pressure on the oil gasket and its seal eventually fails. As you might expect, this situation will inevitably result in an oil leak — but you can avoid this outcome by making oil changes a high priority.
Another cause of potential oil leaks is the oil filter. If the filter isn’t installed properly or the wrong size is used, oil can leak around it. Since the mechanics working at Reliable Auto are highly qualified, you can trust them to choose the right size and make sure the fittings are tight.
Believe it or not, your auto shop can even help you avoid oil leaks that aren’t related to neglecting oil changes. When you bring your car to a trustworthy auto shop such as Reliable Auto for a regular inspection, the people working there will take a close look at your vehicle’s condition and recommend repairs for any problems they find. Thus, if a technician discovers an issue that could cause an oil leak down the line, you can have it addressed well before it’s able to get to that point.
Reliable Automotive Is the Best Oil Change Shop in San Marcos
At Reliable Automotive, our professional, experienced oil change service technicians welcome the chance to partner with you in caring for your vehicle. Come to our shop in San Marcos and let us set a maintenance schedule for all your service needs.
When you visit Reliable Automotive for an oil change in San Marcos, you’ll enjoy benefits such as:
- Highly qualified mechanics. Reliable Auto exclusively hires ASE-certified technicians — the most knowledgeable people in the industry.
- A wide range of services. The team at Reliable Auto can handle much more than oil changes. We also provide brake repair, engine repair, and many other repair and maintenance services.
- Convenient locations. Whether you live in San Marcos, Buda, or Kyle, there’s always a Reliable Auto location near you.
- Top-notch customer service. The people working at Reliable Auto are your friends and neighbors. Because of that, they’ll go the extra mile to ensure your appointment goes smoothly.
If you’re ready to enjoy benefits such as these during your next oil change, Reliable Automotive is here for you. Take the first step by setting up your oil change appointment today!
San Marcos Oil Change FAQs
How often do you really need an oil change?The recommended frequency for an oil change service varies according to several factors, such as the age of your vehicle and your usual driving conditions. You can check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s guidance or consult one of our San Marcos oil change pros.
In general, late-model cars and trucks that use synthetic oil can go 5,000 miles or even more between oil changes. For older vehicles that are more likely to have high engine mileage, changing the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles may be best.
As for driving habits or conditions, you may need to have your oil changed more often if you frequently:
- Make a lot of short trips
- Drive in stop-and-go traffic
- Drive on dusty roads
- Haul or tow heavy loads
- Drive in extreme weather conditions, such as high temperatures
If you have a newer car, you probably have a system that monitors the life of your oil. The most advanced of these systems do more than track time and mileage—they can also take into account your vehicle’s operating conditions to better analyze when the oil is degrading. Keep in mind that longer oil change intervals may make it easier to neglect to monitor your oil level. We recommend that you check your oil every month and top it off if the level is low. If you believe your vehicle is consuming oil too quickly, make an appointment at our San Marcos location, and we’ll determine the cause.
Is synthetic oil really better?In many cases, yes. These are just some of the advantages of using synthetic oil:
- The low viscosity allows it to flow more quickly and easily than conventional oil and synthetic blends that have higher viscosity. This faster flow allows engine components to turn more quickly.
- It is slower to break down, so it stays effective longer than other types of oil.
- It flows well in colder temperatures and can withstand higher temperatures.
- It offers engines greater protection from strain, which helps if you haul heavy loads or use your car or truck for towing.
If you’re unsure whether synthetic oil is best for your vehicle, our San Marcos mechanics will be glad to make their recommendation.
Will my car run better after an oil change?If you’ve been driving with old, dirty oil, you should be able to notice the difference when using clean oil and a new oil filter. Improved fuel efficiency is one of the benefits of an oil change, but the most important one is that your engine will be protected from potential damage caused by unlubricated moving parts.
Once your oil can no longer do its job of removing carbon, acids, dirt, and debris from your engine and your oil filter becomes clogged, your car or truck won’t be able to run properly. If you’re overdue for an oil change, schedule an appointment at our San Marcos location today. Be sure to check for our latest money-saving oil change coupons before you come in.
