What You Need To Know About Oil Changes

Let’s flashback to the 1950’s full service gas stations. Presumably, you drive up in your slick Ford Thunderbird. An attendant greets you, pumps your gas, washes your windows, checks the oil and water levels in the car and tops off the air in the tires.  You drive off assured that your car is taken care of and ready for cruising. However, today there is a notion that cars can take care of themselves with the revolution of computers notifying us when there is an issue. In the end the car is a machine needing routine service, attention, and maintenance as the Ford Thunderbird would have in the 1950’s. 

Start with oil:

To respond to your car’s need for service start with oil as the main focus. The function of oil provides lubrication to the moving parts within the engine, keeping your car at peak performance. When we run on low unchanged oil we run the risk of parts jamming or not working properly. Let’s avoid any inflicted damage by simply starting with regular oil change maintenance for our cars.

Look for Quality over Quickness   

Today, there are numerous quick oil change providers. Even though an oil change is a priced commodity that anyone and everyone offers, not all oil changes are the same. Every car should be inspected while getting the oil change service. At Rick’s Performance in Pleasanton, we look at the tires, brakes belts, hoses, top up under hood fluids and clean the windshield. Creating a vehicle inspection as an added element to an oil change bestows that 1950’s car safety assurance to our era.

Beat the oil light:   

A number of new cars come equipped with a warning light or message that informs you when an oil change is due. However, the interval that triggers the oil change message can be as high as 7000 to 10000 miles.  Unfortunately, what the car makers don't tell you is that some engine models can use a quart of oil every 1500 to 2000 miles and they consider that normal.  What this means for your car is that your engine may run out of oil before the light is illuminated. Instead, rely on the fact that oil should be changed every 3000 miles for conventional oil and 5000 miles for synthetic. In this case, our human knowledge will surpass our car’s savvy technology.

Don’t go the distance:

Many argue that the warning light is correct and an oil change is due at 7,000 to 10,000 miles rather than 3,000.  Conversely, the 3,000 mile oil change myth is based on the condition, either normal or severe, in which your car drives. Normal driving allows for a car to go 5,000 to 10,000 miles per oil change, but for Californians this normalcy is not realistic. We often practice severe driving conditions that require your car oil to be changed at 3,000 miles.

·         I drive in stop-and-go traffic

·         I drive in extremely hot or cold temperatures

·         I drive at prolonged higher engine speeds

·         I take short trips averaging 5-10 minutes in length

·         I have multiple cold start-ups each day

·         I experience extensive engine idling

·         I tow and/or haul heavy loads

·         I drive in dusty or muddy conditions

·         I drive in mountainous terrain

 Specifically, in the Bay Area many of us drive on the severe driving schedule. We are involved in commuting in heavy traffic, around town stop and go driving, and driving in extreme temperatures such a frigid winter mornings and hot summers. Not too sure about your driving condition? If you answer yes to 3 or more of the below statements you are driving in a severe condition.

Go for routine rather than random

At Rick’s Performance we have witnessed that overworked engine, crying out black sludge instead of fresh oil. To ditch the label of the neglectful car owner avoid quickie oil changes you irregularly find when your oil light comes on. Instead retrain yourself to search for a shop that consistently provides you quality inspection and oil change service. Your car will be more prepared for severe driving, cruising out of the shop like a 1950’s Thunderbird.