Picture this, you are driving around these Arvada and Wheat Ridge roads and your maintenance required light pops on. It may be tempting to delay your oil change for a more convenient time in a month or so thinking it will do no harm to your engine, but forming that habit can rapidly cause premature engine failure. The oil is your engine’s lifeblood and is filled with several different additives designed to keep your engine healthy and prolong its lifespan, but over time the oil and its additives start to break down and require replacement. As the oil starts to break down the filter catches a lot of the remnants from the additives breaking down to keep the oil as clean as possible. Once the oil starts to get dirty it loses its ability to cool the engine which could lead to warpage of several metal components or premature gasket failure. If an oil change is delayed long enough the viscosity of the oil begins to change and eventually will turn to sludge creating a whole host of additional problems that could include catastrophic engine damage and this all can be easily avoided with regular oil changes.
Should I Change My Own Oil or Bring My Vehicle To a Shop?
Performing an oil change on your car is one of the most simple and important tasks you can do for your car, that being said there are several benefits to bringing your car to a full service auto repair shop for an oil change. The first benefit that you will see from a full service auto shop completing the oil change is that they will also perform a courtesy inspection of the vehicle that can help point out safety concerns with your vehicle that might not have been noticed otherwise. The second benefit you will receive from going to a full service auto shop for an oil change is their ability to point out some upcoming repairs to start planning for, as well as keep your vehicle in proper maintenance according to the manufacturer’s schedule to ensure you maintain proper warranty status and minimize the need for expensive repairs down the road. In addition to all the benefits of having a trained technician inspecting your vehicle, there is always the element of the cost of your precious time spent crawling on the ground to service your vehicle during your time off of work that could be better spent with your family or friends.
Does It Matter If I Bring My Car to a Full Service Shop vs A Quick Lube Shop?
The short answer, yes! Many of the quick lube shops that specialize in the $29.99+ oil changes are able to provide such a cheap service because they are providing you with an oil and a filter that is the lowest quality possible that many individuals in the industry wouldn’t even put on their own car. In addition to the sub-par parts you receive, the quick lube shops also help drive their cost down by employing mechanics that are newer to the industry and have little to no experience under their belt. When dealing with a staff so fresh to the industry there is little knowledge of common problems that your specific make and model vehicle faces, and are less likely to advise you on how to prevent it or keep an eye out for early signs of failure. In addition, many of the recommendations a full service shop might make will be missed and eventually lead to repairs that might not have been necessary with proper maintenance.
What are the additives in my oil and do I need any other ones?
There are countless different variations of which and how many additives and detergents are added to the oil you use based on several factors like the brand, weight and if it’s conventional oil vs synthetic oil. These detergents and additives that come standard in your oil are designed to remove or prevent rust from building inside the the engine, prevent foaming inside the the oil pan from the crankshaft rotating, lubricate all internal components to subsequently prevent premature wear and tear on the engine and increase fuel economy at the same time. Many automotive professionals recommend adding BG MOA (Motor Oil Additive) that increases your fuel efficiency, as well as keeps your engine cleaner and the oil less prone to sludging through the use of friction modifiers and detergents. If you find yourself overdue, or prone to running over your standard oil change intervals, the need for MOA increases to help prevent any damage to the engine.
What is The Difference Between Synthetic and Conventional Oil?
The difference between the two types of oil first begins with how it is derived. Conventional oil is refined from crude oil whereas synthetic oil is lab-made from different chemical compounds. Synthetic oil is most commonly used in newer vehicles because of its engineered ability to maintain heat tolerance, increased lubrication properties and reduced risk of sludge. Another benefit to synthetic oil is that it takes longer for it to break down, therefore extending your oil change intervals. Conventional oil typically has many additives and detergents mixed into the oil to help give it similar properties to the full synthetic oil, but still remains fairly unstable compartively. Nowadays many shops have made a switch away from using a conventional oil to a synthetic blend that gets the best of both worlds, where you have a more stable oil at a cost that is more aligned with utilizing a conventional oil. If your car is specified for a conventional oil you should have no concerns upgrading to a synthetic or synthetic blend oil as long as it is the same weight your car is specified to use. The most important rule to follow during an oil change is to ensure the vehicle is getting the proper weight oil that your vehicle manufacturer recommends in the owner’s manual.
At Seyfer Automotive we strive to provide our neighbors in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood and surrounding areas the best service and treat you like one of our own friends and family. We promise to never recommend a service for your vehicle that we would not recommend performing on one of our own personal vehicles, and whenever possible alert you for upcoming maintenance so you never get a surprise repair bill. If you have any questions on how to best maintain your vehicle or schedule your next oil change or repair, call one of Denver’s longest standing Auto Repair Shop’s today! (303) 422-5261.