Top 6 Questions About Oil Changes with Boucher Chevrolet
Oil changes are essential to car maintenance, but many drivers still need clarification about an oil change and why their vehicle requires it.
At Boucher Chevrolet of Waukesha, our certified technicians want to ensure you have the answers to all your questions. So, we took six of the ones we hear the most and put them in this blog, along with why an oil change matters to your car’s health.
1: What is an Oil Change?
An oil change is when a trained technician drains the old oil from your car and replaces it with a fresh batch. During this process, your technician will also switch out your oil filter, ensuring your motor runs clean oil and keeping your engine running healthy.
How long should an oil change take? An oil change should take around 30-45 minutes, depending on how old your oil is, where your filter is, and other factors like leaks or seepage, which can hinder the time to change your oil.
2: What Does an Oil Change Do?
With needing to change your oil as routine maintenance, what does it do?
Changing your oil flushes out old oil that can sludge up or carry debris in your engine. It also ensures that your motor and its parts stay lubricated so they don’t crash or grind against each other.
It can help chill your engine to fight against overheating. Clean oil can help dissipate heat generated by your motor, and a fresh batch can help you dodge a hefty repair bill.
Lastly, the technician will change your oil filter, which helps ensure no unwanted particles or debris find their way into your engine. A new filter lets your motor have fresh oil run through it and is vital during the oil change process.
3: What are the Different Kinds of Oil Changes?
When you stop in for an oil change, you can choose multiple types of oil to put into your engine. Which is right for you?
Conventional Oil Change:
This oil is traditionally used for late-model vehicles with simple engines and low mileage with essential protection.
Synthetic Oil Change:
This oil offers complete protection against sludge, improves fuel efficiency, and more if you want your car to run at peak performance.
Synthetic Blend Oil Change:
This oil mixes conventional with synthetic to enhance essential protection and performance. It is a perfect getaway to test out the benefits of synthetic oil.
High Mileage Oil Change:
This oil is for vehicles with 75,000 miles or more, as it contains additives to reduce leaks, seepage, and engine wear.
4: How to Check if You Need an Oil Change?
Modern vehicles offer a specific menu that displays your oil’s life as a percentage. This monitors the effectiveness of your oil and gives you an estimated time for your following change.
You can also follow your owner’s manual, which recommends an oil change every 5,000-7,5000 miles.
Lastly, you can always check your dipstick. By opening your hood and locating your oil tank, you can pull this tool out, and it’ll show through indicators whether you need to schedule an appointment.
A fantastic way to tell is if your oil is dark or black; clean oil should be amber and transparent. Also, if your oil fails to meet the proper indicators, it’s time for a change!
5: How Far Over an Oil Change Can You Go?
Extending your oil change schedule is not recommended, but most engines can tolerate a few extra miles. Going too far can result in an expensive repair bill.
What happens if you wait too long? When you prolong your oil change, you open the floodgates of engine damage.
Old oil can’t lube your parts, which leads to internal damage and parts breaking against each other; your motor will have to work harder, meaning more visits to the pump, it can overheat from friction of unlubricated components, and more!
When you put off an oil change for too long, you may need to schedule an appointment for an engine replacement.
6: What’s the Difference Between an Oil Change vs. Adding Oil?
Should you add oil? Schedule for a change? What’s the difference?
When you add oil, you ensure you run on proper levels, but it doesn’t change out your old batch for a new one. It’s a temporary fix when running low or leaking until your appointment.
When you get an oil change, your old oil is replaced with a clean batch, and your filter is switched out for better protection. It can also help address any leaks or seepage under your hood.
Schedule an Appointment with Boucher Today!
Routine oil changes are critical to maintaining your car. They improve performance, prolong your engine, and help you dodge hefty repair bills.
When you understand what oil types you must choose from, what an oil change entails, how to check, and more, you can easily spot warning signs to ensure your vehicles stay in peak condition.
Are you in need of an oil change? Schedule an appointment with our certified team today at Boucher Chevrolet of Waukesha in Waukesha, WI!
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