Oil changes can be a pain. You’d rather do other things on your day off or after work than sit in a quick lube stop’s queue and wait for the next available change station. This scenario is the first reason why you should care who changes your oil, however. Stop stopping at the quick lube stops – say that three times fast – and understand how important an
oil change really is to your car, truck or SUV.
Money Talks
If you take your vehicle to a quick lube shop every 3,000 miles, you may be doing your car a disservice even though you’ve been told you’re doing it a service. Automobile manufacturers agree that with today’s efficient engines, you only need to change your oil every 7,500 miles. So why does your lube stop sticker always say come back in 3,000 miles? Because they can double their profit from your car with this simple urban myth.
Extended Services
Some automobile manufacturers, including Ford and Toyota, recommend oil changes every 10,000 miles on certain models, but you must be sure your car is one of those models. Know what engine type you have and check your owner’s manual to see the recommended oil change intervals. Certain Toyota Camry engines can indeed wait for 10,000 before needing an oil change, and if you use synthetic oil in your Beemer, BMW says you can wait for every 15,000 miles.
Get it Done Regardless
No matter the schedule, you should get your oil changed per the manufacturer’s recommendations at a trusted mechanic and change station. Your oil lubricates crucial engine components that are designed to meld together. If they lose their friction, they could jam, overheat and fail. Dirty oil, which is what an oil change prevents, causes further engine damage and wreaks havoc on your gas mileage. There are good reasons why this service is recommended, so stick to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
Who to Trust
Finally, you should care who changes your oil because you want the job done right the first time. Although a relatively simple process, a botched oil change will cause all the damage mentioned above and possibly worse. Don’t put your vehicle at risk by taking it to a quick lube stop because it’s cheap. Take it to a reliable and trusted mechanic in Libertyville such as Pit Shop Auto Repair. The better you treat your vehicle, the better it will treat you, and professional oil changes extend its engine’s life and gas mileage.
