8001 Minnetonka Blvd.

952.931.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

6407 West Lake Street

952.922.9696

Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

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Freshen Up for Spring with an Oil Change

by | Jun 5, 2013 | Auto Repair, General Car Maintenance, Oil Change

The car has been compared to the human body on many instances. If the engine of your car can be considered the heart, then the engine oil can be considered the lifeblood that flows through the heart. Oil of the most important fluids for your car, and if you have any traveling plans for the spring, then you need to make sure you have an oil change done. With the new technology, you may not even have to change the oil as often as you would have in the past. Most people use the rule to change your oil every 3,000 miles, but some types of oil can actually extend the time you need between changes.

Purpose of Oil

Engine oil is the fluid that lubricates the engine by creating a slippery coating on the surfaces that are in contact with each other. This coating keeps the metal parts from creating friction and heat and reduces wear on the engine. As it coats the moving parts, the oil helps to cool off the engine by transferring heat away, a job that is often attributed to coolants. The oil coating also protects the engine from corrosion, dirt, and debris that can clog up the engine and create problems. In essence, oil is a protectant, coolant, and lubricant all in one formula.

Choose Your Oil with Care

There are several types of oil on the market, but the main three are petroleum, synthetic, and blended. Petroleum-based engine oil is made from crude oil that comes from the earth. Crude oil is the same oil that is used in gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides, and plastics. Synthetic oil is made in a laboratory and is best suited for some older cars and cars with high mileage. Blended oil is a hybrid of both petroleum and synthetic oils. Each of these groups of oils is graded according to its viscosity and purpose. If you live in areas that experience cold winter, you should look for oil that has the letter W in the rating. The grade of multi-grade oil is denoted with a number before the W to denote the viscosity when the weather is cold and a number after the W denotes the viscosity of the oil when the weather is hot. The numbers represent the viscosity, or weight of the oil. Single grade oil is denoted with a number followed by the letter W for winter grades. Your owner’s manual will tell you which oil you should be using. Most of the newer model cars use multi-grade oil. There are oils on the market that allows you to change the oil less frequently because they break down much slower than other oils.

Regular Oil Changes Are a Must

Having an oil change is similar to receiving a blood transfusion. You can add more oil to replenish or you can drain all of the oil and replace it with fresh oil. You will want to change your oil when you notice that your oil is dirty. Do not wait until the oil turns to sludge because this can damage your engine and result in a costly car repair. A springtime oil change could be the thing you need to breathe a fresh breath of life in your car.