Oil Change Tips « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Archive for the ‘Oil Change Tips’ Category

How To Find The Right Oil For Your Car or Truck

Monday, July 18th, 2011

oil When you get your oil changed, the choices can sometimes be overwhelming.

The next time that you need your oil changed, remember these tips to help make the process easier.

1) How Much Oil Does My Vehicle Need?

The size of your engine will dictate the amount of oil that you need. Bigger engines require more oil to fill them. This could greatly affect your choice in oil. Most oil changes include up to five quarts of oil. If your vehicle requires more than that, it could greatly increase the price, especially if the oil is expensive.

2) Which Oil is Best for My Engine?

The grade of oil is the first number that is listed when talking about oil. It goes up to 70. This number can also be called the oil weight. Common oil grades are 5W-30, 10W-20, and 20W-30. The “W” lets you know that that oil meets low temperature standards. The second number is the motor oil viscosity and will be 10, 20 or 30. The best viscosity for your engine will depend on its type and will be listed in your owner’s manual.

3) Should I Get Conventional or Semi/Full Synthetic Oil?

Depending on the age of your vehicle or type of engine, semi or full synthetic oil could be recommended. Most vehicles that have more than 75,000 miles should be using a special high-mileage blend, which is usually semi synthetic. Certain performance engines require full synthetic oil. You should be able to find this information in your owner’s manual. Be aware that full synthetic can cost up to three times as much as conventional oil and semi synthetic will also be more (but not as much as full synthetic).

Knowing the type of oil that is best for your engine can help you save money and keep it running smoothly. This will increase its efficiency and help it last longer.

Tags: Motor Oil, oil change, Synthetic Oil
Posted in Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Car Maintenance Checklist for Summer Road Trips

Friday, May 6th, 2011

If you’re taking a long road trip this summer, you’re not alone.

The busiest travel time is between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Last year, AAA estimated that 32.1 million Americans traveled on the Memorial Day weekend alone.

If you want to reach your destination, you’re going to have to make sure that your car is in good condition. Following the tips below will help ensure that you don’t get stranded on your summer road trip.

Check Fluids: Before starting your trip, make sure all of your fluids are at proper levels. This includes: oil, engine coolant and transmission fluid.

Check Your Battery: Be sure to check your car battery. Visit a repair shop to check its charge. If it’s low, you’ll want to change the battery.

Check Tire Pressure: It’s important to check the pressure of your car’s tires before starting a trip. Tire pressure is important because you’ll save on gas and you’ll be safer.

Check For Proper Tools: You’ll also want to make sure your spare tire is in good shape and that you have all the proper tools for emergencies. This includes: a jack, tire wrench, jumper cables and a flashlight.

Following these tips will help to ensure your car is ready for the road.

Be sure to take your car into Brake Masters for an inspection before any summer trip. Use our auto repair shop locator to find the nearest Brake Masters.

Tags: oil change road trip, road trip safety checklist
Posted in Driving Tips, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Things To Inspect After A ‘Quick’ Oil Change

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

A lot of auto repair shops advertise speed and quickness when it comes to oil changes.

While it’s great to get a “quick” oil change, you’ll also want to get quality service. This will help protect against errors and mistakes. When mechanics rush, they can make mistakes.

If you’re worried about the “quick” oil change that you just got, here are some inspection tips that you should follow.

Check The Oil: Open the hood of your car and check the oil dipstick. Look to see if the oil is clean. Also check to see if the oil is in the “full” range.

Check For Leaks: Look under your car after a “quick” oil change to see if there are any leaks. Leaks after “quick” oil changes often happen because the oil drain plug was not properly re-installed.

Ask About Tire Pressure: Most auto repair shops check the air pressure in tires. Be sure to ask them if they checked the tire pressure and see if they added any air to your tires.

If you notice any of these problems, you should immediately bring it to the attention of the auto repair shop.

To help protect against these types of problems, you should bring your car or truck to a shop that does quality El Paso oil changes and quality Las Cruces oil changes. Speed is important, but it should not be at the expense of quality work.

Tags: oil change inspection, quality oil change, quick oil change
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Ways To Remember When It’s Time For An Oil Change

Friday, March 18th, 2011

If there is one thing you shouldn’t forget about, it’s an oil change.

Getting a Las Cruces oil change or a Santa Fe oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is very important. An oil change extends the life of your vehicle and ensures it’s in good working condition.

We know it’s hard to remember when to get an oil change. That is why we’ve come up with a list of some of the best ways to remember when it’s time for an oil change. Here are some of the best ways to remember.

Mark It On A Calendar: If you have trouble remembering when to get an oil change, mark it down on a calendar. Calculate how much you drive a week and then estimate the date you will be at 3,000 miles. Mark it on a calendar or planner that you regularly use.

Don’t Remove Service Stickers: A lot of times, you’ll get a service sticker in your window after an oil change. If you want to remember about your next oil change, don’t remove the sticker. Your mechanics place those stickers on your windshield as a friendly reminder.

Download A Smartphone App: There are plenty of apps for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android phones that can remind you about an oil change. The Oil Change App by Dash Technologies allows you to set reminders for the mileage and estimated date of your next oil change. You can also enter the type of oil that you used on your last oil change.

Set Up An Email Event: If you use a program like Microsoft Outlook at work, set up a reminder on your work calendar. Have it set for a Friday so you can get the oil change during the weekend.

Following any of these tips will help you to remember when it’s time to change your vehicle’s oil. How do you remember when it’s time to get an oil change? Leave a comment below.

Tags: Las Cruces oil change, oil change, oil change reminders, Santa Fe oil change
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The Difference Between Synthetic And Conventional Motor Oil

Friday, February 4th, 2011

You’ve probably heard of the terms synthetic motor oil and conventional motor oil. But do you know the difference? Do you know the benefits and disadvantages of each?

You can probably guess that synthetic motor oil has some sort of man-made elements to it while conventional motor oil is the stuff pumped from the ground. Obviously, there are more differences between the two types of oil.

Synthetic oil was developed during the 1970s. Synthetic oil is oil, but it is created through chemical reactions. Scientists chemically combined different molecules to create a lubricant that is free of metals and other elements.

Conventional oil is pumped from the ground and goes through a refining process to remove contaminants and metals. No matter how much the oil is refined, it will not be as pure as synthetic oil.

Conventional Oil Benefits: Conventional oil is a fairly reliable lubricant for your vehicle. One of the major benefits is cost. It is typically cheaper than most synthetic oils.
Conventional Oil Disadvantages: Conventional oil does not work well under extreme temperatures. In the extreme cold, conventional oil can become tick and gooey. In extreme heat, conventional oil can break down.
Synthetic Oil Benefits: Synthetic oils can handle extreme conditions because they were developed in laboratories for extreme performance. Because of its chemical makeup, synthetic oils reduce wear, giving your car or truck a cleaner engine.
Synthetic Oil Disadvantages: The major disadvantage with synthetic oils is price.

When selecting between synthetic and conventional motor oil, it’s usually better to go with synthetic oil. However, always consult with your car or truck’s owner manual or a mechanic before getting an oil change.

Before you get a Phoenix oil change or a Las Cruces oil change, be sure to talk to your mechanic about synthetic and conventional motor oil.

Tags: Conventional Oil, difference between synthetic and conventional motor oil, Motor Oil, Synthetic Oil
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Signs That It’s Time For An Oil Change

Monday, January 17th, 2011

oil dipstick We all know that we should change the oil in our cars and trucks every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Unfortunately, it’s sometimes not that simple. This is especially true if you can’t remember the last time you got the oil changed in your car or truck.

If this happens to you, here are some easy ways you can check to see if it’s time for an oil change.

Check The Dipstick

Open the hood of your car or truck and check the dipstick. Before checking the dipstick, be sure your car or truck is parked on level ground. This will help to ensure an accurate reading.

Once your car or truck is parked on level ground, open the hood and locate the dipstick. It is typically easy to locate. The dipstick typically has a round handled and is typically orange or yellow. Here’s how to check the oil using the dipstick:

Remove the dipstick and wipe clean with a rag or paper towel.
Re-insert the dipstick. Make sure that the dipstick is placed all the way into the engine.
Pull out the dipstick and look at it.

When you look at the dipstick, there should be two marking near the bottom. If there is oil between these two markings, it means your oil level is good. If the oil is below the lower marking, it means you need more oil.

Check The Color

As you check the level of oil in your car or truck using the dipstick, take a look at the color of the oil. If the oil on the dipstick is a light, honey color, it means the oil is clean. If it’s a dark, black-brown color, it means the oil is dirty and it’s time for an oil change.

Check The Warning Light

Some cars and trucks have warning lights that will alert you if oil levels are low. If your oil level light is on, you should immediately take your car or truck in for an oil change.

Following these tips will help you determine if it’s time for an oil change. As a rule of thumb, if you drive your car a lot and you can’t remember the last time you’ve taken your car or truck in for a Phoenix oil change or a Sacramento oil change, it probably means it’s overdue.

Tags: checking dipstick, checking oil, Oil Change Tips
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Should You Still Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles?

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Most of us can remember our parents drilling into our head the importance of changing your oil every 3,000 miles.

It has been pre-programmed into our brains that we need to go in for a Las Cruces oil change like clockwork. But times change and so do cars … so you have to ask yourself, is every 3K for an oil change really needed?

If your car was made in the last 7 – 8 years then you may not have to change the oil that often but it is always best to ask your auto mechanic what they think.

Older model cars needed to have their oil changed often but oil chemistry and engine technology has improved to the point that many cars can go 7,500 to even 10,000 miles without an oil change. If you do mostly highway driving then your oil will not be changed as often as a person who does a lot of stop and go driving.

Oil is meant to be used when it is warm and many times isn’t given a chance to warm up properly. When you drive less than 10 miles the oil and engine are still cool and don’t absorb the containments as well as they should.

If you drive from work, to the gym, to your child’s piano lessons that would be considered severe driving conditions. If you just go from work to home daily that can be considered a mild commute.

When you don’t change your oil it’s just like mopping a floor with dirty water. It’s not doing anything but making it dirtier and dirtier if you don’t change the water, same goes for the oil.

The next time you are get a Tucson timing belt replacement ask the mechanic how often they usually change their oil. If they say the traditional every 3,000 miles have a conversation about oil changes.

Tags: Las Cruces oil change, oil change, Tucson timing belt replacement
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Changing Your Car’s Oil Helps to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

You have that little sticker in your window reminding you to get your oil changed and you have been trying to ignore it.

Many people don’t realize how important a simple thing like changing the oil can be in making sure your car performs the way it was designed to. Put your palms together and rub them vigorously against each other for just a minute. You feel the heat that your hands give off? Now drip a little baby oil in your palms and try it again. You feel how much easier your hands move together now? That is the equivalent of what oil in your car’s engine does.

Oil in your engine helps:

Reduce friction – Which can be one of the most damaging things to your engine in the long run. Try rubbing your hands together with no baby oil for 5 minutes and see how long before it unbearable. Now imagine your engine with that same feeling only metal on metal.
Better Mileage – A well-oiled engine doesn’t have to grind its parts against one another. It runs smoothly and more efficiently helping you to get the maximum mileage out of each tank of gas.
Cleaner Engine – For older models of cars this can be very detrimental when you are driving and your car overheats. A simple oil change can keep the friction levels low and reduce the heat your engine outputs.

To make sure your car runs great and stays running that way for as long as you can, when you are getting an Albuquerque brake check or Phoenix auto air conditioning repair remember to tell them to take a look at your oil levels too.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Phoenix auto air conditioning repair
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What’s The Difference Between Synthetic Oil And Conventional Oil?

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

When we get our vehicle’s oil changed, we sometimes forget to ask what type of oil they are putting in our vehicle’s engine.

There are two types – synthetic oil and conventional/regular oil. Conventional oil is the good old fashion oil that is processed from crude oil out of the ground. Synthetic oil was developed in the 1960s. It is a chemically modified oil that was developed in a lab.

There are two types of synthetic oil – base stocks and semi-synthetic oil. Base stock oils are man-made oils that are purely synthetic. Semi-synthetic oil uses a blend of mineral oil and synthetic oil.

So, which is better synthetic oil or conventional oil?

You should put your money on synthetic oil for the following reasons:

Synthetic oil operates better during any driving conditions
Synthetic oil promotes longer engine life
Synthetic oil reduces evaporative loss
Synthetic oil circulates better than convention oil

While synthetic oil is great, there are some who think conventional oil works just as well. It’s a great topic to discuss with your mechanic while getting a Las Cruces oil change or an El Paso oil change.

Tags: El Paso oil change, Las Cruces oil change
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How To Choose The Best Oil Filter For Your Vehicle

Monday, August 30th, 2010

An oil filter is a critical part to the health of your vehicle. Without an oil filter, your vehicle would be susceptible to contaminants that could cause wear and damage to parts inside your engine.

The oil filter removes contaminants such as dirt, carbon and particles of metal from your car’s oil before they wreak havoc on your engine. For such a cheap part, the oil filter is a critical component to your engine. With all that in mind, how do you find the best oil filter? Here are a few things to consider.

Don’t be cheap: Oil filters can range in price from $5 to $20. While you may be tempted to go for the cheaper oil filter, the more expensive oil filters will be able to remove more contaminants on a single pass than cheaper ones.

Get the right one: A common problem is purchasing the correct oil filter for your vehicle. Most oil filters look the same so it can be deceiving. Read the product catalogue to make sure you are buying the right filter.

Know your filter: Some filters are meant to last 3,000 miles. Others last longer at 6,000 miles. If you purchase a 3,000 mile filter you need to change it every 3,000 miles. The filter loses its effectiveness once you go beyond it’s suggested lifespan.

Be sure to always use quality parts when changing your oil filter and consult a reputable mechanic or parts supplier if you have any questions. Having an Albuquerque oil change or a Tucson oil change can supply you with the right oil filter.

Tags: Albuquerque Oil change, Tucson Oil Change
Posted in Air and Oil Filters, Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off