Consider Other Services With An Oil Change

To extend the life of your engine, you will need to get an oil change as per your car's manufacturer's instruction. This doesn't just mean replacing the lubricant on time, but it also means that you have to be sure that the levels are where they need to be, in addition to using the appropriate type. The more you drive, the more your engine will break this lubricant down. As that happens, the abilities it has to continue to work effectively diminish over time. Those engines that aren't properly lubricated have to work much harder, will overheat more often and will also wear much more quickly.

But getting an oil change does so much more than protect your engine. There are other things that happen each time you take your car or truck in to have this done. There are a handful of routine service checks that are typically performed and they are also important. Consider your tires. Often, the very place where you go in to have your fluids checked will also offer this service. Either included in the package or otherwise, a tire rotation and pressure check tends to go hand in hand with a tune up.

All shops will at the very least check the pressure while you're in for a visit, but some will also offer free alignment and balance checks as well. This not only also helps to further promote the life of your vehicle but it also is the best way to ensure that you're driving a safe car. They will also likely check the brakes on your vehicle. The wheels are taken off when rotations are done, and usually this is when a peek is taken at the brakes, also.

There are also other fluids that may be checked when you go in for your routine oil change. There are a number of different fluids that are important for the running life of your car or truck, like transmission fluid and other coolants. These are checked for not only levels to make sure you still have enough but also for any sort of irregularities that may hamper their performance. Some shops provide a sort of top off service, but this is something you will want to double check to be sure that is available to you.

Lastly, another service usually provided when you are getting that routine maintenance is a general inspection. This won't likely be like your yearly inspection but it will be a good way to make sure that you don't have any potential concerns you may be missing. There is usually a multi point inspection done that will look for anything torn, worn, cracked, leaking or broken so that you can be sure that your vehicle is safely on the road.

If you don't know that your chosen location offers these services, you can always ask. Not all of them will, but many that do also offer them either for free with the other things done or at a great package rate that will help you to stay safe and save money.