Getting an Oil Change

As prevalent as they are, it's easy to forget what miracles of technology our modern cars really are. We take them for granted. That is, until they break down. If you are often struggling with expensive auto repair bills in an era when cars should be lasting longer than ever, the answer to your woes could very well lie in the oil change. It is one of the most important pieces of the maintenance puzzle, yet it is ignored all too often. There are some things you need to know about your motor's lubrication process.

Interval

There has been a great deal of talk lately about doing away with the old rules when it comes to how often you should take your car in for an oil change. While there is certainly nothing wrong with revising old standards in the hopes of improving our car knowledge, easing back on maintenance dollars spent, and moving forward with progress, a problem arises when there is misinformation guiding our decisions. And there is a lot of misinformation out there. While it may be true to say that changing the lube every 3,000 miles is often overkill, it is a common mistake to swap out that rule for another one. Instead of taking someone's generic advice as it pertains to an interval, consult your owner's manual and talk to a mechanic you can trust.

Checking Levels

This is an aspect of necessary car maintenance that far too many drivers fail to adhere to. If you've ever had an oil change technician tell you that they found the engine "bone dry," then you are guilty of failing your vehicle. It takes only a minute to check the dipstick when you're filling the car with gas. Get into the habit of doing it every other time you pull into the station. Make sure the level you see is near the max level line on the dipstick. If it is nearing the bottom, it means you need to go ahead and add a quart. Check your owner's manual and make sure you are adding the right type.

Burning off Fluid

If you constantly have to add extra lubrication in between your oil change intervals, you may be dealing with a problem. Your engine is either burning off more than it should be, or you have a leak. In either case, talk to a mechanic about what you can have done to fix the problem.