Oil Changes

Things like engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant are literally the heart and soul of your car. They lubricate, cool and provide pressure for stopping – everything you need to guarantee a smooth ride every time.

Why Oil and Fluid Changes Are So Important?

• Making an effort to use the oil that your engine was actually designed for can significantly extend the overall lifespan of your car.
• Using the right oil not only improves gas mileage and minimizes friction, but it also helps prevent overheating.
• Coolant changes keep your car’s cooling system operating at top quality at all times.
• Replacing your transmission fluid on a regular basis can help avoid costly problems down the road.
• • ange your fluids at recommended intervals, your braking system will not only work better – it will last longer, too.

Make Your Appointment

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Motor Oil: What You Need to Know

The overall lifespan of your car’s engine doesn’t just depend on the quality of motor oil you put into it – the type matters a great deal, too. When functioning properly, your engine sees virtually no “metal on metal” contact across the board. All components ride on a thin film of oil, which also has the added benefit of absorbing and containing all of the by-products of the internal combustion process.

As a result, thickness and resistance to motion (also called viscosity) are key components to any motor oil selection. Viscocity also helps determine how well oil can resist heat – an important quality when you’re talking about something that gets as hot as an engine.

All motor oil has a rating on the bottle, with 5W60 being one example. The “5” in this case would be how well the oil can stand up to cold, with lower numbers being better. The “60” would be the “hot” viscocity rating, indicating how well your oil will stand up to those hot summer days.

There are three main types of oil for you to choose from depending on your needs: Fully Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic and Mineral. Each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses:

Here’s a basic overview of what you can expect from the three types of oil:

Fully Synthetic:

• Offers superior protection against wear, heat and cold, and also helps protect your engine from deposit build up.
• Fully Synthetic oil gets to the parts of your car much faster than other types.
• Offers terrific fuel economy savings, making this one decision that will literally pay for itself.

Semi-synthetic:

• Offers better protection than Mineral
• Reduces engine wear by roughly three times that of Mineral
• You won’t need to change your oil quite as often as if you’d used Mineral

Mineral:

• Offers a basic level of protection for your car’s engine.
• You will need to change your oil more often than you would if you had used any other type

When Should I Get an Oil Change?

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The Power of Coolant

Coolant, as the name implies, is designed to prevent your engine from overheating. It regulates your engine’s internal temperature and it is something you absolutely cannot go without. If you open the hood of your car, you’ll see a white, semi-transparent bottle – this is called the coolant reservoir. It has “high” and “low” markings attached to the side and, for the best results, your coolant level should always be between these two points. NEVER try to adjust your coolant while the engine is still on or hot.

Transmission Fluid and Your Gears

Transmission fluid is a red liquid that helps with your car’s automatic transmission. If you see red liquid under your car, it might be a sign that you have a transmission fluid leak. Transmission fluid has a filter to catch any residue that may build up. Low levels might make shifting more difficult and it can even damage your transmission if you’re not careful. If your car isn’t running as smoothly as it normally does, this is the first thing you should check.

Brake Fluid and Stopping

Brake fluid, as the name suggests, helps convey your foot pressure on the brake pedal through the master cylinders of your car. This in turn controls the calipers that clamp the friction material against your brake discs, allowing you to come to a complete and safe stop. Overheated brake fluid will likely start to boil, which can produce gas bubbles that might translate into a “soft” brake pedal. If you suddenly find yourself needing to pump the brake pedal a few times to come to a complete stop, this is very likely why. At [NAME], we are more than happy to help you with all of these fluid levels and other considerations when it comes to the safe and successful maintenance of your car.

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Service Hours

• Monday – Friday: 7:00am to 6:00pm
• Saturday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

Parts Hours

• Monday – Friday: 7:00am to 6:00pm
• Saturday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

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