Is Your Car Telling You It’s Time for an Oil Change?
Your engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Without motor oil, the many moving parts inside your engine would overheat, bend out of shape, and cause your engine to effectively seize. Making the costly mistake of not performing a timely oil change can end up costing you thousands of dollars. However, some drivers do not understand how often they’re supposed to bring their vehicles in for service.
At Reliable Automotive, we not only provide trustworthy oil change services in Hays County, TX, but we also provide insightful information on how to best care for your vehicle. Let’s take a look at a few telltale signs that your vehicle is due for an oil change, and be sure to schedule an appointment at Reliable Automotive for quality oil change services in Hays County, TX.
Why an Oil Change Is So Important
As we’ve mentioned before, your motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine. As your motor oil circulates through your engine, it continuously coats, cools, and lubricates the many moving parts inside. It also removes contaminants, such as carbon buildup and sludge. Here are just a few of the many benefits of performing a timely oil change:
- Improves engine dependability
- Promotes optimal fuel economy
- Avoids costly engine repairs
- Preserves engine performance
However, over time, your oil begins to lose these protective properties and must eventually be changed. Additionally, once oil reaches a certain temperature, it can oxidize, rendering it effectively useless in protecting your engine. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to understand when your vehicle needs service.
Understanding the Three Types of Oil
Although your oil is fantastic at protecting your engine, not all oil is the same. Not every type of oil is compatible with every type of engine. Here are the three main types of oil, each of which features different change intervals:
1. Conventional Oil
Conventional oil is derived from crude oil but is refined and processed to protect your engine. This type of oil offers the most basic protection and must be changed most frequently. However, it is also the lowest-cost option.
Conventional oil is great for many non-performance and naturally aspirated engines. This type of oil oxidizes at around 260 F, which provides enough protection for these types of engines that do not generate extreme heat. Conventional oil typically needs to be changed every 3,000-5,000 miles.
2. Synthetic Blend
Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of conventional oil and synthetic additives. These synthetic additives offer added protection for engines that need a little more TLC. Synthetic blend oils often feature gasket sealants and added detergents or cleaning agents to address some of the common concerns found in high-mileage vehicles. Due to its added protection, synthetic blend oil typically needs to be changed every 5,000-7,500 miles.
3. Full Synthetic
Despite its name, synthetic oil is also derived from crude oil. However, synthetic oil is chemically modified to provide superior protection. Able to withstand temperatures north of 475 F, this type of oil can endure the high temperatures of turbocharged engines as well as high-performance vehicles that generate immense heat. While synthetic oil is commonly the most expensive type of oil, it features the lowest change intervals. It is typically recommended that one perform a full synthetic oil change every 7,500-10,000 miles.
Signs You Need an Oil Change
Here are a few indications that it might be time for an oil change:
- Time. If you’re past your estimated change interval for the type of oil that your vehicle uses, this is a telltale sign that it’s time for an oil change.
- Rough idle. As your oil loses its lubricating properties, you may notice that your engine is not idling as smoothly as it used to. However, if your vehicle is misfiring, stalling, or having difficulty starting, these may be signs that a mechanical repair is needed.
- Decreased fuel economy. Since your oil is not lubricating your vehicle the way it needs to, your engine is running with increased friction. Due to this chain reaction, it can cause your engine to burn more fuel. However, if your vehicle is burning excess fuel and your check engine light is on, this is likely a sign that further automotive repair is needed.
Drive with Confidence When You Trust Reliable Automotive
At Reliable Automotive, we go the extra mile to ensure that your vehicle operates with the very best protection. We only perform full synthetic and diesel oil changes to ensure that, no matter what type of vehicle you drive, you can power through your next road trip, commute, or adventure with confidence.
Each of our mechanics is ASE-certified and uses high-quality Valvoline® oil as well as quality replacement oil filters for your engine. Whether you drive a sports car or an SUV, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands when you bring it into our quality oil change center in Hays County, TX.
In addition to certified excellence, we also offer fantastic service coupons that help you save money while enjoying trustworthy oil change services. Be sure to schedule an appointment today and trust that your vehicle is in the hands of experts at Reliable Automotive.
