31 Jul The Best Oil Change In Plymouth Meeting, PA
Most of us are familiar with the term Self-Care. Over the last several years, self-care gurus, books, and support groups have cropped up everywhere, catering to every walk of life. Once we started talking about it, many of us realized that burning the candle at both ends isn’t healthy or fun. Do you know that June 24th marks the start of Self-Care Month, which ends with Self-Care Day on July 24th? This is a perfect opportunity to carve out a little time for yourself. Drop your car off for an oil change service, have a coffee, and sit on a park bench to enjoy the sunshine (or shade). While your car gets fresh engine oil and a new oil filter, you can recharge yourself, too. Sounds like a win-win to me.
What Is An Oil Change Service?
Generally speaking, an oil change service will drain the old engine oil, replace the old oil filter, and replenish the engine with fresh oil. The auto service center or dealership may or may not include additional services. A quick-and-dirty oil change shop may just do the basics on the cheap, while a customer service-oriented auto shop may include a multi-point inspection for a few dollars more. So, let’s look at the basics of an oil change and then explore a more comprehensive service:
Fresh Engine Oil
Engine oil is often called the lifeblood of your vehicle. Its lubricating and heat-absorbing properties are vital to your vehicle’s performance. Your engine contains many moving parts requiring oil to reduce friction and dissipate heat build-up. All engine oil formulations break down over time and require replacement. Routine oil changes provide fresh oil to help prolong engine life and can even increase fuel economy.
New Oil Filter
The oil filter removes particulates and impurities from engine oil and helps maintain high-quality oil. The oil pump continuously sends used oil through the filter (which eliminates debris but allows the oil to pass through) and into the engine for lubrication. Once the filter is full of debris, it can no longer remove impurities from the engine oil. A clogged oil filter can create numerous problems with your vehicle’s engine. Most auto manufacturers recommend a new oil filter with every oil change service.
Basic Fluid & Systems Check
Most quality auto service centers include a multi-point inspection of your vehicle’s fluids (coolant, power steering, transmission, washer fluid), safety systems (brake pads, headlights, brake lights), and tires (tread depth & air pressure). Different auto shops may offer slightly different services depending on their location or the type of car you drive. They should provide you with a detailed list of which items they inspected, their condition, and recommendations for future service needs.
Ask About Add-On Services
An oil change is a great time to inquire about needed add-on maintenance services like tire rotation, alignment, and wheel balancing. Additional services involving the tires or brakes are often less expensive when done simultaneously as another service that requires removing the tires. When making your appointment, be sure to mention any extra inspections or repairs you want done so they can schedule enough time to complete everything.
How Often Do I Need An Oil Change
These days, there is no ‘standard’ mileage or time marker for oil changes. Modern vehicles use more advanced technology and components that considerably extend engine oil life. On the other hand, older combustion vehicles that rely on earlier engine designs and conventional oils require more frequent maintenance. Determining the right oil change interval for your needs depends on many factors:
- The make and model of your vehicle
- The vehicle’s age
- The engine oil type
- Your personal driving habits
Always consult your owner’s manual for your car’s factory-recommended oil change service interval. Then, you can adjust the timing to meet your specific driving requirements better. Regardless of your car’s age and maintenance schedule, you should check the oil levels monthly and add fresh oil when needed. Below are some oil change interval guidelines based on engine oil types.
Conventional Engine Oil
Conventional engine oil formulas are available in a range of viscosity grades and quality levels. Auto manufacturers recommend conventional engine oils for vehicles with simple engine designs and standard driving conditions. Typical oil change intervals for conventional engine oil fall within the ‘old-school’ 3 months/3,000 miles range.
Synthetic Blend Engine Oil
Synthetic blend engine oil formulas combine synthetic and conventional base oils for additional resistance to oxidation and superior low-temperature performance. Some older model vehicles can upgrade to synthetic blend oil without complications—consult your auto service center to verify if your car will benefit from it. Typical oil change intervals for this type of engine oil are 5,000- 7,500 miles.
Full Synthetic Engine Oil
Full-synthetic engine oil formulas include chemically engineered processes to produce oil molecules that are more uniform in shape, with fewer impurities, and high-performance additives. Full-synthetic oils perform better at extremely high and low temperatures (compared to other engine oil types). Some cars that use full-synthetic oils can go up to 15,000 miles between oil change services.
Quality Oil Change Service
If you need a quality auto service center in Plymouth Meeting, PA, visit Plymouth Auto & Tire Center. Our ASE-certified technicians will perform a top-notch oil change service and only use high-quality engine oil and oil filters. We take great pride in our professionalism, friendliness, and customer service.
Schedule Your Oil Change Service
Call us at (610) 825-6558 or visit our website to schedule an appointment for your oil change service.